5 tips for after your chemical peel
Chemical peels are the perfect facial service to treat acne, hyperpigmentation, dehydration, lines and wrinkles, you name it. While the treatment itself can yield incredible results, the longevity of those results is somewhat up to you and how you care for your skin after receiving one. As that new baby soft skin is coming to the surface, there are a few things you need to be mindful of to ensure the glow sticks around.
#1 Keep Things Cool, Baby
It’s best to avoid excessive heat for at least 48 hours post peel. This includes direct sun exposure (which you are mindful of year-round, right?), intense workouts, hot tubs, saunas, piping hot showers, even opening the oven on your face! Heat can exacerbate irritation and cause inflammation, and that’s the opposite of what we want right after a peel.
#2 Simplify Your Routine
It’s going to feel weird not to use all your skincare goodies, but it’s better for your skin. A chemical peel is a form of deep exfoliation, some can use a 30% concentration of ingredients compared to the 2% you find in your daily products, so it’s best to push pause on all chemical and physical exfoliation (this means cleansing tools, too!), and simply allow the skin to heal. Depending on the depth of the peel you receive, you can resume your regular skincare routine 5-7 or 10-14 days after, once your skin is back to its young self, and all the peeling has subsided.
When doing your routine in the morning, use a gentle cleanser, a healing moisturizer, and you absolutely must wear sunscreen. In the evening, use the same cleanser and moisturizer. Be mindful of using tepid water, not hot, and pat the skin dry - washcloths are a form of physical exfoliation, and you don’t want to be overly aggressive. Hot tip: put on a fresh pillowcase the night of your treatment and if you don’t want to wash your face that night, book an evening appointment when the sun will already be set.
#3 Do Not Pick
Step away from the mirror and resist the urge to pick at peeling skin. The skin that is lifting is ready to do so, and if you get your little mitts in there and interfere with the skin’s natural shedding process, it can cause bleeding and scarring, and that’s worse than any temporary flaking.
#4 Prolong Your Results
Your homecare products can extend the longevity of your chemical peel results. Absolutely everyone needs to protect that fresh new skin by wearing a daily SPF. Non-negotiable. It doesn’t make sense to shed the skin of damaged cells only to incur more damage immediately. Also, depending on what skin concern the peel was correcting, make sure you are using a targeted product to keep those results going, whether that is a tyrosinase inhibitor for hyperpigmentation or a chemical exfoliant serum to keep breakouts at bay; this will vary for every individual. Another great way to boost the effectiveness of your chemical peel results is by adding a gentle at-home peel to your regimen once a week.
#5 Book Your Next Appointment
Talk to your aesthetician about what treatment you should follow and book in for your next appointment. Consistency is what wields the best results, so get it on the books and keep the glow going!
