Chemical Peel Aftercare: Tips to Maximize Results

If you’re looking for non-surgical ways to refresh your complexion and restore your skin to a smoother and brighter appearance, chemical peels may be an option to consider.¹

To make the most of these procedures, aftercare is important not only to help minimize discomfort and maximize results but also to help prevent complications like infection, scarring, or other complications. By following your aftercare instructions, you can enhance the procedure’s results by supporting the healing process.²

Understanding Chemical Peels

Chemical peels exfoliate skin using acids to improve wrinkles, acne, sunspots and more by promoting skin regeneration.³

Types

Chemical peels come in different levels of intensity (depth of skin penetration) to address a range of skin issues.4

Chemical Peel Recovery Process Day-By-Day

When a chemical peel has been performed correctly, your healing may follow a common timeline, with some slight variations depending upon the depth of the peel.

• Day one. Sensitivity is expected in your treated skin during the first one to two days after a peel.¹ Redness and tingling sensations are likely.⁵
• Days two and three. The treated areas of skin may be swollen, irritated, red and/or dry, flaky or peeling.⁵
• Days four and five. Redness may persist, and you may experience small breakouts, slightly discolored skin and continuing dryness.⁵
• Days six and seven. By now, skin typically stops peeling, though it may still feel sensitive. The overall state of your complexion may look brighter and more uniform.¹ With your skincare professional’s approval, you may be able to return to the use of your normal makeup and skincare products.⁵
• Week two and beyond. Skin continues to improve into the second week and beyond, with visible changes to skin tone and texture. After deeper peels, the healing process may take several weeks to fully heal.⁶ Continue to follow all aftercare tips suggested by your skincare professional.

Common side effects

Due to the chemical interactions with your skin, some side effects are common after chemical peels, including:¹

• Peeling and flaking. As the old skin sloughs away, it peels and flakes, giving way to the emergence of fresh, healthy skin.
• Redness and swelling. Some redness and swelling are normal signs of the skin’s natural healing response kicking in.
• Tingling or itching. It’s not uncommon to feel mild tingling or itching. It’s recommended to keep from scratching or picking your skin, however, so as not to scar or irritate yourself.

Key Chemical Peel Aftercare Tips

For the first week or so after your treatment, follow your skincare professional’s aftercare instructions to help your skin heal optimally after your chemical peel. It may include:⁵

• Avoiding harsh skincare. For at least a week after your peel, your doctor may recommend to avoid using strong skincare products like retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). These ingredients can further irritate your healing skin, cause excessive dryness or even disrupt the peel’s effects. Consult with your skincare professional about gentle, soothing cleansers and moisturizers they may recommend.
• Avoiding picking or rubbing your skin. Peeling and flaking is typical during recovery. Picking can cause scarring, infection or uneven pigmentation.¹ You may be instructed to let the skin shed on its own to ensure smooth, healthy results and reduce the possibility of complications.
• Avoiding hot water and steam. Hot water and steam can increase skin sensitivity and dryness after a chemical peel, leading to discomfort and prolonging healing time. It may be recommended to use lukewarm water when washing your face and avoid steam rooms, saunas and hot showers during the recovery period to help prevent irritation and inflammation.
• Minimizing exercise and sweating for the first couple of days. Intense exercise that causes excessive sweating can irritate freshly peeled skin and increase the chance of infection or inflammation. Your skincare professional may advise you to avoid vigorous workouts, saunas or hot yoga for at least 48 hours after your peel. When resuming exercises, it’s recommended to cleanse your skin gently afterward.
• Minimizing sun exposure. After a chemical peel, your skin becomes especially sensitive and vulnerable to UV damage. You may minimize direct sun exposure by staying indoors or seeking shade whenever possible. Prolonged sun exposure may lead to hyperpigmentation, irritation and slower healing. Wearing protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat can also help shield your skin during recovery.
• Staying internally hydrated and moisturizing skin externally. Keeping your body well-hydrated supports overall skin healing and regeneration. Drinking plenty of water daily can help. Additionally, applying a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer can help soothe dryness, maintain the skin barrier and prevent excessive peeling or cracking.
• Using broad-spectrum sunscreen when you do encounter the sun. Since your skin is highly sensitive post-peel, you can help protect it with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Your skincare professional may recommend you apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours if you’re outdoors. This helps prevent sunburn, discoloration and damage as your new skin forms.⁴

When to Seek Medical Advice

If you experience unpleasant symptoms that persist or intensify beyond what your skincare professional has advised is normal, call your dermatologist or skincare professional. These may include:¹

• Intense pain or discomfort
• Persistent redness or irritation that isn’t getting better
• Signs of infection (such as pus or extreme swelling)

Help Maximize the Benefits of Your Chemical Peel With Aftercare

While a chemical peel may have numerous benefits for your skin — from reducing the signs of aging to improving overall skin tone — how you approach aftercare can help improve the efficacy of your results. Remember to practice patience in the healing process and to seek advice or further care if your healing journey seems to be taking a detour.

Financing Chemical Peels With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting a chemical peel or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, Paypal, The Washington Post and more.