Chemical Peel Process: What Results to Expect Day By Day

Because chemical peels successfully reveal healthy, vibrant, and youthful-looking skin, their popularity has grown over the years. But there is still a lot of misunderstanding about how a chemical peel operates and the day-to-day chemical peel process. Here is what to anticipate before, during, and following your chemical peel procedure.

Before Chemical Peels

Preparing for a chemical peel is the first step. We advise scheduling your chemical peel at least two weeks before important events because side effects may persist.

You should refrain from doing anything irritating your skin a week before your session. The list of skin irritants includes sunbathing, laser treatments, waxing, applying depilatory creams, plucking, and utilizing topical retinoids in skin care products.

You should reschedule your visit if you have facial virus breakouts or rashes. Getting a chemical peel when either of those things is present could aggravate the problem.

The Procedure

People frequently worry about how getting a peel will feel and whether it will hurt. Before getting a chemical peel, we advise scheduling a consultation to discuss what to anticipate and address any questions you might have.

Washing your face is the first thing you should do when you go to the clinic. By washing your face, you can eliminate any makeup, dead skin cells, and other impurities that may still be clinging to your skin. The result is transparent skin ready to accept the peel with no obstructions.

There are many kinds of chemical peels. Some may sting more than others, and they can achieve varying results. The procedure will also depend on what type of peel you are getting.

Day One After Chemical Peel

Your complexion will turn yellow throughout the day when you leave the clinic with the peel solution left on your face – don’t worry; this means the peel is working! After a few hours, you’ll apply the retinol crème your provider gave you.

The retinol may cause some redness and irritation as it begins to function. Many people compare the sensation to getting a sunburn. But it will take another day or so before you start to notice the typical peeling that follows a chemical peel.

Day Two After Chemical Peel

The second day of the chemical peel process is when your skin will probably start to peel. You’ll notice that the outermost layers of your skin are beginning to dry up and flake off more frequently where the corners of your mouth, nose, and eyes meet. Despite the temptation, refrain from manually peeling your skin.

Use a mild cleanser on your skin before applying a heavier moisturizer. Many people stay home from work and social gatherings because of the initial redness they experience. Don’t schedule anything significant in the few days following your chemical peel because you should be prepared for your skin to respond this way.

Day Three After Chemical Peel

The severe peeling and flaking are most likely to occur on days three and four. During these days, your skin is most likely to feel uncomfortable and most exposed. Carefully follow your doctor’s skincare instructions; doing so will protect your skin and help it heal naturally.

Your skin needs to be safeguarded now more than ever. To ensure that your skin is protected and doesn’t burn, you should consider wearing a sun-protective hat in addition to your sunscreen. By doing that, you keep your healing process going.

Don’t be alarmed if you find some parts of your face peeling more than others. This phenomenon is typical and shows no issues with how your skin is healing.

Day Seven After Chemical Peel

Your results won’t be visible until a week following your chemical peel procedure. All the flaking, peeling, and redness pay off at this point. Experts believe a chemical peel will leave lasting benefits, so enjoy the fresh skin you’re starting to notice!

You can often resume your regular skincare regimen a week or so following your chemical peel, depending on how well or quickly your skin is healing.

Before using harsher or more abrasive skin care products, ensure your skin has finished peeling completely, as the skin may still be sensitive. You should be able to switch back once your skin no longer feels tight and dry.

Beyond One Week After Chemical Peel

By this point in your chemical peel adventure, your skin is far less sensitive and flaky. However, there may still be some visible mending taking place because your skin has undergone a procedure intended to “damage” it safely while making it seem better than ever.

Greater sensitivity in your skin may cause more obvious color changes, crusting, and scabbing. The chemical process is typically finished two weeks after your chemical peel. However, some redness could linger for a few months, particularly in hotter climates or after exercise.

Important Reminders

Remember a few things when your skin heals while it is still healing. Your skin requires more protection since it is so delicate and raw. You should avoid vigorous exercise or activities that cause sweating if you want to preserve it and get the best benefits.

Additionally, if you can’t avoid the sun altogether, wear sunscreen (with at least an SPF of 30) and try to avoid it as much as possible.

Additionally, you should prevent allowing your skin to become dry. Too much skin drying can prolong the healing process and increase the risk of scab formation or scarring.

When to Get the Next Chemical Peel

You’ll likely be prepared to schedule your next chemical peel once you start to see the effects of your chemical peel. But before damaging your skin to additional chemical peels, give it ample time to heal. If you undergo another peel too soon, you risk hurting rather than enhancing your skin’s appearance.