CHEMICAL PEELS

3 to 5 peels may be necessary to give you the desired results.

Superficial or light and medium peels are left on for a shorter period of time. You may feel some slight burning and itching whilst the peel does it’s work but most patients do not report severe discomfort.

Recovery times will vary based on the type and strength of the peel. Immediately after the peel, your skin may feel tight and may be red. Any visible peeling will be light and fluffy and easily controlled with moisturizer. Peeling usually lasts 3-5 days, depending on the actual peel treatment.

You may begin to see results from light peels immediately post treatment, and the full effects will be visible between 7-10 days. Results from medium peels will develop in 1-2 weeks.

After your chemical peel, you will experience some redness and light aching or tingling, and peeling.

• One week before the peel avoid waxing, electrolysis, depilatory creams, and laser hair removal.

• Two to three days before the peel discontinue using any prescription topicals such as Retin-A, Differin, or Tazorac, as well as any products containing retinol, alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA), beta hydroxyl acids (BHA), or benzoyl peroxide.

• Patients who have had any medical cosmetic facial treatments or procedures such as Laser treatments, cosmetic fillers, or other surgical procedures should wait until skin sensitivity has completely resolved before receiving a peel.

Chemical peels should be avoided if any of the following conditions are present:

• Active cold sores, herpes simplex, or warts in the area to be treated

• Wounded, sunburned, or excessively sensitive skin

• Accutane use within the last year

• History of recent chemotherapy or radiation therapy

• Allergies to aspirin

• Women who are pregnant or actively breastfeeding

• Patients with Vitiligo

• Patients with a history of autoimmune disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, etc) or any condition that may weaken their immune system

• If you have active psoriasis or eczema on the face, a peel is not recommended.

• Normal activity may be resumed after the peel, however, strenuous exercise and heavy sweating should be avoided for 2-3 days.

• Sun exposure should be avoided while the skin is peeling; exposure of treated skin to a lot of heat should also be avoided as it may induce swelling, redness, and for deeper peels, blisters under the skin.

• Peeling skin should be allowed to slough off naturally; picking or peeling of flaking skin is prohibited, as it may lead to scarring.

• Use of prescription topicals should be avoided for 3-5 days post-peel.

• Use of gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen is important, as it will enhance the healing process and results.

Light Peel

• Healing time: 1 to 7 days. Skin will be red. After the redness disappears, scaling may develop, which lasts 3 to 7 days.

• At-home care: Lotion or cream applied until the skin heals, followed by daily use of sunscreen.

• When to wear makeup: Usually immediately after the peel, but sometimes the next day.

Medium peel

• Healing time: 7 to 14 days. Skin will be red and swollen. Swelling worsens for 48 hours. Eyelids may swell. Blisters can form and break open. Skin crusts and peels off in 7 to 14 days.

• At-home care: Daily soaks for a specified period. Apply ointment after each soak. Take an antiviral medication for 10 to 14 days. Apply lotion or cream. Total avoidance of the sun until skin heals.

• When to wear makeup: After 5 to 7 days, you can wear camouflaging makeup.