Do’s:

Treat your skin gently. Use only mild/gentle cleansers and moisturizers. Avoid any chemical or manual exfoliators until any peeling has subsided.

 

Wear SPF 30. Vulnerable, immature cells are being exposed once the skin starts peeling; precautions must be taken to insure they don’t get damaged from UV rays. Apply sunscreen daily on the face and neck. 

 

Limit the amount of time spent outdoors to reduce sun exposure.

 

Avoid strenuous exercise or any activity that could cause the body to heat internally, as this could cause hyperpigmentation, such as hot showers, saunas, etc.

 

Use antioxidants. Since the skin has been traumatized, free radical production is high. Suppress the free radical activity with an antioxidant moisturizer. 

 

Use a skin lightener after the peeling process is complete. Since chemical peels can stimulate melanin activity, you don’t want to end up with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a condition where you can develop brown spots post-peel (common in skin that already struggles with discoloration/brown spots). 

 

Don’ts:

Don't pick at the skin! The whole purpose of a chemical peel is to remove the dry, damaged cell layers and reveal younger-looking, healthy new cells. Picking off dry, flaky skin when it may not be ready to come off can result in scarring and unnecessary redness.

 

Don’t Over-moisturize to compensate for post-peeling dryness. When the skin is peeling and flaky, it’s normal to want to apply heavier moisturizer to alleviate dryness and comfort the irritated skin. Hydrating peeling skin when it wants to shed off, will not give you the best benefit and prolongs the down-time of the peel. Just use your regular moisturizer and let the skin do what it wants to do.

 

Do not exfoliate. It is so important to not remove the dry skin before its time and to let the skin shed naturally. Facial scrubs and acids will only irritate the irritation further and could result in scarring the skin.

 

Do not receive injections, such as Botox, Dysport or dermal fillers in the treated area for 2-3 weeks post treatment.

 

Variations in the amount of peeling:

The degree of peeling may vary depending on the individual’s skin type and the condition of the skin at the time of the peel. The success of the peel should not be determined by the amount of peeling, but by the end results that the peel will produce. 

 

Series of Peels:

For maximum results, chemical peel can be administered every 4 to 8 weeks until desired results are achieved. Results are cumulative and maximum benefits are seen with a series of 3 or more peels.