Chemical Peels Before and After: What To Expect
Fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven skin texture can all impact your appearance, making you look older than your actual age. If sun damage has taken a toll on your face, it might be time to incorporate chemical peels into your skincare routine. Wondering what to expect from chemical peels before and after your treatment? We’ve got you covered! Join us as we discuss how these treatments revitalize skin and what you can do to maximize results.
Read more: The Benefits of Each Peel Offered at Event Skincare
What do chemical peels do?
Our chemical peels use specially formulated solutions to efficiently exfoliate dead skin cells, enhance cell turnover, and reveal a youthful glow.
What do chemical peels treat?
Through advanced skin resurfacing, chemical peels can improve the appearance of many skin concerns, including:
Fine lines and wrinkles: Deeper peels stimulate collagen production to improve signs of aging.
Acne scars: Exfoliation and increased cell turnover rates encourage the formation of fresh skin cells, minimizing scar tissue over time.
Acne: Chemical peels may kill harmful bacteria that cause acne breakouts.
Hyperpigmentation: Peels with lactic acid, glycolic acid, or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) effectively lighten dark spots.
Sun damage and uneven skin texture: Regular chemical peels can smooth rough, uneven skin texture.
What types of chemical peels are there?
You’ll find countless chemical peels on the market, but most fall into the category of superficial, medium, and deep peels. Here’s a closer look at each:
Superficial (light) peels: Affect the outermost layer of skin and require little to no downtime. These often contain glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, or salicylic acid, and can address dull skin, mild acne, and minor hyperpigmentation.
Medium peels: Penetrate deeper into the dermis and may include higher concentrations of TCA. Medium-depth peels, like Jessner peels, can address moderate acne scars, wrinkles, and discoloration, and may require longer recovery times.
Deep peels: Generally reserved for patients with medical conditions or very deep wrinkles and are applied under local or general anesthesia by a dermatologist or plastic surgery team.
Related: Should You Get a Glycolic, Salicylic, or TCA Peel?
What are the side effects of chemical peels?
Chemical peels may cause redness, flaking, and peeling, as well as increased photosensitivity. In rare cases, patients may experience scarring or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
What to expect before a chemical peel
As you prepare for your chemical peel, consider how to best care for your skin before your treatment.
What to do before a chemical peel
Before your chemical peel, you’ll meet with a qualified esthetician to discuss your goals for treatment, existing skin concerns, and any medical conditions. Your provider will craft the ultimate treatment plan to help you achieve optimal results. Stay hydrated and moisturized to prep your skin for exfoliation.
What not to do before a chemical peel
It’s important that you don’t take Accutane in the six months before your first chemical peel, and avoid sun exposure to minimize adverse effects. Eliminate retinol, retinoids, and acids from your routine at least a week before treatment. Keep your skincare routine simple, with gentle products, and avoid shaving and waxing for about 48 hours beforehand.
What to expect during a chemical peel
Your esthetician will gently cleanse your face and neck before applying a carefully formulated solution. You may experience a mild stinging sensation or heat as the properties break down dead skin cells. Once the appropriate time has elapsed, they will remove or neutralize the solution to stop the process. They may then apply a gentle moisturizer and sunscreen to protect your outer layer.
Learn more: Enzyme Peels: The Gentle Method to Glowing Skin
What to expect after a chemical peel
The way you care for your skin after a chemical peel will impact your overall results. Here’s what you need to know:
How to care for your skin after a chemical peel
Proper aftercare is essential for a safe and effective chemical peel. Here’s an overview of the best way to care for your skin after treatment:
Hydrate and moisturize: Drink plenty of water and use fragrance-free moisturizer throughout the day to maintain adequate hydration.
Wear sunscreen: Even if you plan to stay indoors, ambient light can result in damaged skin. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply every two hours.
Use gentle products: Stick to a minimalist skincare routine, including a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Aloe vera can soothe inflammation in the early days of recovery.
What to avoid after a chemical peel
Ok, you know what you should do after a chemical peel, but what about things to avoid? The following are off-limits as your skin heals:
Sun exposure: Skip the beach and wear protective clothing, including a big, floppy hat, any time you’re outside. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Harsh skincare products: As your skin recovers, it needs to put its resources toward cellular regeneration and boosting collagen production.
Touching your face: Your skin may peel and flake, but touching your face can introduce harmful bacteria and increase the risk of infection.
Makeup: Your skin needs to breathe in the first 24 hours after a chemical peel. Makeup can clog pores and interfere with the healing process.
Heat: Heat makes inflammation worse, so avoid hot showers and rigorous exercise until redness subsides.
How long does it take to see results?
After a light chemical peel, you may see improvements within a few days, and full results after a week or two. Since medium peels cause more peeling, the overall effects should be apparent within two to four weeks.
While a single chemical peel can yield impressive results, most clients undergo three to six treatments scheduled three to four weeks apart for optimal skin rejuvenation.
Related: Is a Salicylic Chemical Peel for Me?
Rejuvenate your skin with personalized chemical peels at Event Skincare!
At Event Skincare, we customize each chemical peel to meet the unique needs of our clients. We’ll work with you to craft the ultimate treatment plan to help you achieve your goals. Book a consultation today to get started!
