How Chemical Peel Care Letters

One of the most common procedures in cosmetic dermatology is the chemical peel. They make skin look smoother, brighter, and healthier and are used to treat everything from acne scars to wrinkles.

This is the information you need to know about after-care if you have recently undergone a chemical peel in order to maximize your results and maintain the healthiest possible appearance for your skin.

In this exposition we’ll also cover chemical peeling treatment and chemical peel benefits.

How Chemical Peel Care Letters

Chemical peels are customized for each patient depending on their skin type and skin concern. The treatments vary in intensity and depth of penetration, resulting in different aftercare recommendations for each patient.

Your medical provider will explain how to treat your skin post-treatment to help it heal safely and to maximize the effects of the procedure.

The following tips are universal and apply to all chemical peel patients.

Dos: 5 Things to Do After a Chemical Peel

1. Listen to Your Chemical Peel Provider

Choose a board-certified medical professional for the treatment because chemical peels use acid solutions to penetrate the skin. It requires medical knowledge and experience. To ensure the safety of the treatment, follow your medical provider’s instructions on how to care for your skin after the treatment. They know best what’s been done to your skin and how to ensure the effectiveness of the chemical peel.

2. Wash Your Skin with Lukewarm Water

The skin is very sensitive after a chemical peel. Cold or hot water may feel uncomfortable and aggravate your skin. To avoid any skin irritation, use cool or lukewarm water when you rinse your face.

3. Use Sunscreen

Resurfaced skin after a chemical peel is more sensitive to UV rays. If you expose it to the sun, it may cause inflammation. Sunscreen is always an essential skincare product, but is a must after a chemical peel because it protects the skin while its natural skin barrier is still weak. Make sure you use it whenever you go outside or spend time near a window.

We recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Elta MD UV Pure is a great choice for patients after a chemical peel treatment because it checks all the boxes as a highly protective sun-blocking product for all skin types, including sensitive.

4. Use Gentle Skincare Products

In line with the above recommendations, use skincare products that won’t irritate and additionally dry out your sensitive skin. Go for soap-free cleansers and water-based moisturizers without harsh ingredients. Avoid retinol, exfoliating agents, and other abrasive components.

Your medical provider may recommend a gentle cleanser and moisturizer to use after the treatment to ensure your skin stays clean and well hydrated. The Vibrant Skin Bar team suggests SkinMedica’s Facial Cleanser because it doesn’t strip the face of its natural oils. The cleanser’s soothing and calming properties are suitable for all skin types.

5. Moisturize

Skin is dryer than usual after a chemical peel, and you need to hydrate it. Your medical provider may recommend a heavy-duty ointment after a deep peel. After light or medium peels, Replenish Hydrating Cream is a great choice because it thoroughly hydrates and soothes sensitive skin.  

A moisturizer improves your skin’s natural protective barrier. Apply it several times a day or whenever your skin feels tight and you need to soften it to ease the discomfort. If you feel that you need extra hydration, look for gentle hydrating mists that you can spray on your face throughout the day without applying pressure on the skin. Osmosis MD Infuse Nutrient Activating Mist restores moisture while fortifying your skins natural barrier with antioxidants.

Don’ts: 6 Things to Avoid After a Chemical Peel

1. Don’t Touch, Pick, or Scratch

Medical providers warn against applying pressure on treated skin after most cosmetic treatments. Chemical peels not only expose raw, sensitive skin, but they also cause the top layers of skin to peel. This may frustrate patients and tempt them to remove the peeling skin with their fingers.

Peeling, touching, picking, or scratching the skin after a chemical peel can lead to bleeding, infections, breakouts, and scarring. Use a moisturizer instead and let the skin shed off naturally to avoid complications.

2. Don’t Exfoliate

You’ve already exfoliated your skin with a chemical peel. The newly resurfaced skin is free of dead cells, oil, and dirt, so additional exfoliation can only irritate it and cause damage. Wait about one week for light and medium peels or until the skin is fully healed to exfoliate it.

3. Don’t Use Too Many Skincare Products

Swap your usual beauty routine for a minimal skincare regime. After a chemical peel, it’s best to stick to a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Avoid retinol creams and heavier products with active ingredients and irritants.

After a medium peel, wait about one week to resume your usual skincare routine. After a deep peel, you will have to wait longer for your skin to completely heal.

4. Avoid Other Cosmetic Treatments

To prevent unnecessary damage to sensitive skin, wait about two weeks before you get another cosmetic treatment. That includes facial waxing, Botox, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing, and other potentially abrasive procedures.

5. Don’t Expose Your Skin to Excessive Heat

Avoid exposure to the sun, tanning beds, saunas, hot tubs, and other sources of heat. Excessive heat and sweating can irritate the skin, cause an infection, and extend recovery time after a chemical peel.

6. Avoid Strenuous Physical Activity

Avoid intensive workouts for the same reason you would avoid saunas. Strenuous physical activity causes excessive sweating and increases blood circulation, which can intensify the side effects of your chemical peel and delay recovery.

Here are a few great tips for chemical peel after care, so you can maintain the best results from your treatment:

1. Hands Off
The main goal of a chemical peel is to pull up and slough off the damaged skin cells, revealing healthy, glowing skin underneath. When the dead skin starts to shed, avoid touching, picking or scratching it with your fingers. Let the dead skin shed off naturally, and don’t peel the skin off with your own fingers – using fingers to remove the dead skin can lead to possible scarring.

2. Pull It Back
Pulling your hair back away from the face with a hair band can help prevent you from touching, and keep breakouts at bay. It’s important to allow the skin to go through its naturally peeling process, without accidentally contacting your skin while brushing back your hair. Touching the skin with dirty fingers and hands will only aggregate the new skin and may lead to breakouts. If breakouts do occur, don’t treat them yourself! Have your aesthetician treat them for you or just leave them alone.

3. Moisturize – But Just Enough to Be Comfortable
After receiving a chemical peel, your skin will be sensitive. There may be certain products in your normal skin care routine that you’ll want to avoid, as they may have active and irritating ingredients. The only two products you will want to use on your skin during the peeling process are sunscreen and just enough of a bland (neutral) moisturizer to be comfortable. The skin feeling and looking dry is part of the peeling process, and your moisturizer won’t be able to correct that.

Our advice is to use little to no moisturizer for the first couple days after treatment. In some cases, there will be a specific post care moisturizer provided at the time of treatment, which is safe to use, and your SkinSpirit aesthetician will walk you through the details. For some people, the only thing that won’t sting the skin is Aquaphor, which is easily available over the counter.

When applying moisturizer to the skin, be careful as well not to rub or scrub it in. Gently apply a thin layer of moisturizer all over the skin multiple times throughout the day, as needed. You’ll be able to go back to your regular skincare routine once the peeling process is complete and skin no longer feels sensitive – generally within a week of receiving your chemical peel.

4. Protect Your Skin With SPF
You’ve just gone through the process of getting rid of damaged skin with a chemical peel – so it’s important to avoid damaging the new, vulnerable skin coming through by protecting it with a layer of sunscreen anytime exposure to the sun is possible.

Whether sitting by a window, spending time outside, or in front of a screen of any kind, you need to protect your newly brightened skin. Be sure to choose a physical sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and  broad spectrum high safety ratings – your skin will thank you later!

We recommend Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield, which is an easy, gentle and effective way to apply sunscreen protection to overly sensitized skin.

We’ve also put together this SPF guide to help you know what to look for from a sunscreen, and can offer personalized recommendations during a complimentary product consult any of our Bay Area, Orange County, Salt Lake City, Texas or Seattle Area clinics.

5. Let It Peel
Do not remove any of the dry, dead skin with any sort of rubbing, peeling or pulling during the peeling process. Safe exfoliation can be done as soon as skin is no longer hyper sensitive.

We recommend the perfect post peel exfoliating duo: Jan Marini Skin Zyme and Clean Zyme, products containing gentle enzymes that soften and melt away dead skin. All facial scrubs, resurfacing acids, Retinols, and even Clarisonic Cleansing Brushes are off limits until the skin stops shedding – usually up to a week after treatment.

6. Lighten Up
Now is a good time to come in for a consult and get a custom home care regimen to maintain your newly brightened skin! You want to be sure to have a great antioxidant, which is your first line of defense against free radicals each and every day. Specialized melanocyte down regulators can help with tougher pigment – see your skin care professional to learn more!

7. Don’t Worry
It’s also a good idea to just read a book and don’t worry about how your skin looks for a few days. The end result is more than worth the investment!

Chemical Peeling Treatment

A chemical peel is solution applied to the face to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of new cells.

The aim is to improve the appearance of the skin – for example, by reducing age spots and evening out skin tone.

There are 3 types of peels, called superficial, medium and deep.

Superficial and medium peels are usually safe, as long as they’re done correctly. These type of peels are not permanent and they need to be repeated.

Deeper peels are more risky. They’re longer-lasting and do not usually need to be repeated.

Chemical Peel Benefits

1. Give Your Skincare Products a Boost

During your treatment, a dermatologist will apply a solution of chemicals to the surface of your skin. When removed, the chemical peel will take dull surface skin cells along with it.

Shedding the topmost layer of your skin will tell living skin cells to multiply and move to the surface. This signals your body to boost collagen production, which will improve your skin’s elasticity. The reaction increases natural hyaluronic acid production, too.

As a result, your skin will begin to look and feel younger.

Smoother skin appears more radiant. It’s also more receptive to skincare products.

After a chemical peel, you’ll notice your skincare products will perform better. Now there are no longer dead skin cells at the surface of your skin. This makes it easier for your products to penetrate the skin’s surface and get to work!

2. Easy Exfoliation

At the beginning of your treatment, a professional will first thoroughly clean your skin. Then, they’ll apply a chemical solution (such as glycolic or salicylic acid) to a small area of your skin. Most chemical peels have a gel-like consistency.

This layer creates a controlled wound. You’ll feel a slight burning sensation, which lasts about 10 minutes. When the chemical solution is removed, new skin will take the place of old skin.

This process allows the chemical peel to reach deeper than other solutions.

One of the reasons many people request a deep chemical peel is to experience smoother-looking skin. Chemical peels also improve your skin tone and texture.

After removing dead skin cells, the peel will also deposit skin-healing ingredients into your skin. Now you’re exfoliating and giving your skin a boost.

If you’re looking for a skincare treatment that will leave your skin feeling like silk, try a chemical peel.

3. Minimize Sun Damage

A chemical peel benefits patients with hyper-pigmentation as well.

Hyper-pigmentation causes some patches of skin to appear darker than others. While normal, increased skin pigmentation sometimes occurs if you’re suffering from another condition. For example, Addison’s disease sometimes produces hyper-pigmentation.

Requesting a mild chemical peel can help heal your sun spots, freckles, and other pigmentation problems. Sun damage can also age your skin, causing fine lines and blotchiness.

With a chemical peel, you can ease these symptoms by treating your wrinkles to appear younger!

4. Control Melasma

Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentary disorder that’s often resistant to certain treatments. While a common, chronic form of skin hyper-pigmentation, melasma can negatively impact a person’s self-esteem and quality of life.

In some cases, melasma is caused by hormonal surges. Patients who are pregnant may notice an increase in melasma during and after their pregnancy. While taking a birth control pill can help balance hormones and melasma, there still isn’t a permanent cure for this condition.

Many patients treat their melasma with sunblock and hormone management.

Other patients have found that a chemical peel benefits their melasma as well. If you’re noticing an increase in pigmentation problems, try a chemical peel for dark spots.

5. Soften Fine Lines

There are three main types of chemical peels you can choose from, ranging from mild to deep. Each formula can help treat different skin issues. The best option for deep scars and wrinkles, however, is a deep peel.

Unlike other peels, which may require more than one treatment, a single deep chemical peel often provides results after one session. However, you’ll need longer (about six to 12 months) to heal after a deep peel.

Deep peels are popular among older consumers.

These peels can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles near the forehead, eyes, and mouth. For moderate lines, a medium-peel is also effective.

After a medium or deep peel, make sure to protect your skin from the sun. Wear a hat and a layer of SPF sunscreen. Otherwise, you could permanently change your skin’s texture or color.

Protecting your skin after a deep chemical peel will also help prolong the treatment’s results.

6. Reduce Acne Marks

Some chemical peels can help ease your acne breakouts. They can also help reduce scarring from skin blemishes.

Chemical peels unclog your pores and remove blackheads from the surface of your skin.

At the same time, they’re also able to deposit ingredients into the skin that help your post-pimple marks fade away.

The best chemical peel for acne will contact salicylic and lactic acid. Salicylic acid also lingers in your skin’s pores. This allows the acid to keep the pores clear over a period of time.

You can also ask about acids like trichloroacetic acid to help scars fade away.

Unlike resurfacing lasers, choosing a chemical peel will require no downtime. It’s also safe for all skin tones. A surfacing laser could also result in an acne flare-up, so a chemical peel benefits acne-prone skin better than this alternative treatment.

7. Easily Customizable

The market for chemical peel facial rejuvenation is expected to reach $3.1 billion by 2026. One of the reasons for this popularity is the fact that chemical peels are low-risk. They’re safe for every skin color and don’t come with a risk of hyperpigmentation.

Doctors can also mix and match different acids to address specific skin concerns.

Since chemical peels are easily customizable, you don’t have to worry about a one-size-fits-all approach to your skin!

Best Moisturizer After Chemical Peel

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

Best For:

• Faster Recovery
• Improved Healing
• Sensitive Skin
• Dry Skin

Key Ingredients:

• Madecassoside
• Panthenol
• Copper / Zinc
• Manganese
• Thermal Spring Water

Key Features:

• Non-Irritating
• Dermatologist Approved
• Luxurious Texture

If you’re looking for a recovery cream to accelerate and improve your skin’s natural healing process, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is hands down the best option.

I personally use this cream for 3-4 days after a chemical peel to soothe my skin and keep it hydrated.

But this is not your average hydrating cream, it’s packed with ingredients that help your skin repair itself like madecassoside (the active ingredient in tigergrass or centella asiatica), panthenol, and copper / zinc minerals.

Meanwhile, the formula is infused with natural prebiotic thermal spring water from La Roche-Posay, France, rich in minerals and micronutrients that nourish your skin.

But most importantly, I’ve found that Cicaplast Baume B5 is super gentle and non-irritating, even when I apply it over freshly peeled skin (because that’s when you need it the most!).

I’ve used lots of good moisturizers and creams, but almost all of them cause stinging or tingling when I apply them after a chemical peel, a telltale sign of skin irritation.

If you consistently use this cream, you’ll experience a definite transformation in your skin’s appearance! In my case, my skin appeared visibly clearer and more “glassy” after a few weeks.

My only complaint is that Cicaplast Baume B5 is a heavier face cream that’s difficult to blend into your skin (I often get bits of white “sheen” leftover, like with a chemical sunscreen).

If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, the same amazing formula is also available in a gel format as La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5.

My Verdict: For the ultimate post-peel recovery (and best chemical peel results), I recommend La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 as it’s packed with skin healing ingredients, is super gentle and non-irritating, and did I mention that it’s extremely affordable? (under $20)

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30

Best For:

• Day Moisturizer
• Sun Protection
• Dark Spots
• Uneven Skin Tone

Key Ingredients:

• Niacinamide
• Glycerin
• Ceramides
• Thermal Spring Water

Key Features:

• Oil Free
• SPF 30
• Made in France

I’m sure you know by now that sunscreen is essential after a chemical peel due to your skin’s increased sensitivity to the sun’s UV rays.

Sunscreen helps prevent photodamage that manifests as dark spots, uneven tone, and signs of aging.

(in fact, many signs of aging are related to sun exposure, such as wrinkles, age spots, and pigmentation)

The problem is, it’s easy to forget (and who has the time?), not to mention that most sunscreens leave behind a tacky white residue that weights down your skin.

That’s where La Roche-Posay comes in! (again 😀)

Their Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30 is a lightweight lotion that hydrates and nourishes with niacinamide (vitamin B3), glycerin, and ceramides, while protecting your skin from sun exposure.

The formula is infused with thermal spring water that’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.

With 13,000+ reviews (yes, that right!), La Roche-Posay is one of the bestselling face moisturizers of all time, and unlike premium brands, this one costs under $20 so there’s no reason not to give it a try!

My Verdict: If you frequently “forget” the sunscreen, get a moisturizer with SPF 30+ that you’ll love putting on like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer.

Planet Eden Antioxidant Recovery Cream

Best For:

• Post-Peel Recovery
• Daily Moisturizer

Key Ingredients:

• Cocoa Butter
• Shea Butter
• Coconut Oil
• And much more!

Key Features:

• Organic Ingredients
• Vanilla Scented
• Rich Creamy Texture

For a little “taste of Heaven”, Planet Eden has what you need: an antioxidant recovery cream loaded with organic ingredients (too long for me to count!).

Some of the key ingredients include cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and several essential oils.

I tried this cream as part of a Planet Eden chemical peel kit and I absolutely loved the heavenly vanilla scent along with its light yet rich creamy texture.

This cream is easy to apply and absorbs pretty quickly.

My only complaint is it caused a bit of stinging around my eyes and cheeks, an obvious sign of skin irritation.

If you have sensitive skin, I’d suggest using La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 or Toleriane instead.

Overall, Planet Eden is a fantastic recovery cream to use after a chemical peel and it’s available at a very affordable price (the 2 oz version is the best deal).

My Verdict: if you’re looking for a spa-quality chemical peel experience, add Planet Eden’s Antioxidant Recovery Cream to your post-peel routine for a little “taste of Heaven”.

Platinum Skin Care Essentials Healing Blend

Best For:

• Wound Healing
• Better Recovery
• Aromatherapy

Key Ingredients:

• Helichrysum Oil
• German Chamomile CO2 Oil
• Almond Oil
• Sesame Oil
• And more!

Key Features:

• 99% Organic
• Professional Quality

Essential oils are one of the most powerful remedies for wounds, burns, and injuries, given their unique healing properties and anti-inflammatory abilities.

Platinum Skin Care created a unique blend of healing oils to assist with skin repair and regeneration, including the coveted helichrysum oil (has been used since the times of the Romans) and German chamomile CO2 oil, a more potent version of the traditional steam distillated essential oil with stronger anti-inflammatory qualities.

There’s a dozen more oils in this product like almond, sesame, tamanu, jobjoba, and seabuckthorn (the carrier oils), plus ylang-ylang, manuka, jasmine sambac, and geranium rose oil (the remaining essential oils).

Make sure to apply sparingly (a few drops is enough) and keep the bottle stored in a cool, dark place since essential oils will easily oxidize if not stored properly.

My Verdict: For better recovery results without a traditional moisturizer, try using essential oils like Platinum Skin Care’s Essentials Healing Blend with helichrysum and German chamomile oil.

QRxLabs Peptide Complex Serum

Best For:

• Better Recovery
• Stimulate Collagen
• Smoother Skin

Key Ingredients:

• Peptide Complex
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Chamomile
• Aloe Vera
• Jojoba Oil
• Gotu Kola
• Horsetail Extract

Key Features:

• Professional Quality
• 1,500+ Reviews
• Made in USA

Last but not least, if you want a post-peel serum to accelerate the recovery process and stimulate collagen production, QRxLabs Peptide Complex Serum is the perfect solution!

Featuring a proprietary blend of peptides including arginine, aspartic acid, glycine, and alanine, this serum helps your body rebuild essential structures like collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans in the dermis.

(technically, these are “amino acids”, the basic building blocks for proteins, but QRxLabs calls them “peptides”, which are chains of two or more amino acids)

Meanwhile, a blend of botanicals like chamomile, jojoba seed oil, gotu kola, and horsetail extract assist with your skin’s wound healing process for better results.

Finally, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera help to keep your freshly peeled face soothed and hydrated.

With 1,500 reviews, Peptide Complex Serum deserves a Reader’s Choice award for best post-peel serum.

My Verdict: Stimulate collagen and elastin production with QRxLabs Peptide Complex Serum, a fantastic addition to your post-peel routine for healthier and smoother skin!

Conclusion

Chemical peels are an excellent way to take years off your skin. However, it’s important to stick to best aftercare practices to ensure the treatment’s safety and effectiveness. Most importantly, listen to your medical provider and stick to their post-treatment advice for the best results.