Chemical Peel Healing Process Day By Day
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Makeup can enhance your facial contours and highlight your most attractive features, but if you’re using excessive amounts of makeup to cover up skin imperfections, you may also be hiding your natural beauty. Most skin imperfections that draw attention away from your attractive features are found on the surface of the skin. Chemical peel treatments can help correct these imperfections and reveal the new, healthy, unblemished skin beneath.
A chemical peel is a skin exfoliation treatment that provides powerful skin rejuvenating benefits. Chemical peels come in different strengths to treat a range of skin concerns, including acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, large pores, discoloration, and uneven tone and texture. These blemishes exist at varying levels of depth within the skin, and the strength of each chemical peel determines how deeply it penetrates. The depth of penetration also affects the healing process, so if you want to rejuvenate your skin in time for an important day, you may need to plan pretty far in advance. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect from the chemical peel healing process day by day.
Chemical peel healing process day by day
Every person is different, and their healing time will differ as well. In general, the deeper the peel, the longer the healing process. A chemical peel is a procedure you want to plan for well in advance of any special event, as it can take months for the full results to settle. Depending on the type of peel, expect to take some time off work. A superficial peel may not necessitate any more time off than the day of the procedure, but certain medium and deep peels may warrant up to 2 weeks of downtime.
Day 1
Your skin will feel dry and tight. Depending on the depth of your peel and your skin’s sensitivity, you may either feel some mild skin irritation, a sunburn-like sting, or even a throbbing sensation. You will be given instructions for minimizing the pain. These may include ice packs and prescription medications.
Days 2-4
Your skin will continue to feel tight and dry for a couple of days. The sting and pain of deeper chemical peels will continue longer than with the lighter peels. Around the third or fourth day, you may notice some flakiness or peeling as the top layers of skin begin to shed. The deeper peels build up a crustiness before the flaking and peeling process begins.
Days 4-7
Flaking and peeling will continue. Discolorations or imperfections may become more noticeable, but this is normal. Depending on instructions from your chemical peel professional, you may begin to use a gentle skin cleanser and a strong hydrating moisturizer.
Days 7-14
For light chemical peels, the flaking and peeling should be complete within a week or so. In the days following, the new, healthy, supple skin will begin to grow. Some pinkness or discoloration can last for a month or longer before the skin settles to its new radiance. For medium or deep chemical peels, the swelling should disappear within two weeks, but the redness can remain for up to three months.
How you can help the chemical peel healing process
Your skincare practitioner will provide you with post-peel instructions for taking care of your skin. It’s important that you follow them closely so you can get the most out of your chemical peel treatment. Here are some things your practitioner will likely recommend for your skincare during the post-peel healing process:
Avoid sun exposure
Avoid touching, picking, or scratching to avoid scarring the new skin
Keep hair away from your face to minimize the risk of breakouts
Avoid strenuous activities for at least 3 days after peel
Avoid sweating as much as possible until after the peeling process is complete
Wash your face with cool water to help soothe your skin
Apply moisturizer gently (but only moisturizer approved by your skincare professional)
Apply Broad Spectrum SPF 30 or more (indoors or outdoors) throughout the day
Avoid makeup for a week or two
Avoid acidic skincare products, such as retinoids, tretinoins, acne medications, vitamin C products, lightening agents, loofahs and coarse sponges for at least 2 weeks after your peel
Keep your body hydrated
Attend your follow-up appointments
The better care you take of your skin in the days, weeks, and months following your chemical peel, the longer the results will last.
Get brighter, smoother, more beautiful skin at Siti Med Spa today
At Siti Med Spa in San Diego, we offer a number of chemical peels designed to treat a range of skin conditions and skin concerns. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll evaluate your skin, listen to your concerns, and discuss your goals and priorities. From there, we’ll give you an idea of the best options for your skin. If you’re ready for brighter, smoother, more beautiful skin, give us a call at (619) 717-8484 to set up a chemical peel consultation today.
