After getting a chemical peel, what should I do?
If you love your skin, you must have heard about chemical peels. They are the most effective skin care treatment to get your skin back into shape and restore youthfulness. One simple chemical peel treatment can fix fine lines, breakouts, scarring, hyperpigmentation, and many other skin problems.
Chemical peels are one of the most in-demand skin rejuvenation treatments today. They work by removing the skin’s surface, middle, or deep layer and revealing the bright and smoother-looking layer. You may not be used to some basic side effects, but the skin will feel wonderful post-recovery period.
What does a chemical peel do?
Chemical peels are of three types, superficial, mild, and deep. Depending on the type of peels used, the treatment is done under mild sedation. First, the skin is cleansed and dried, and protective gear is placed on the eyes, hair, nose, and mouth. The peel is a specially formulated chemical mix that is then applied on the skin and let sit for a few minutes. Some stinging or discomfort is normal, but there is no excessive discomfort. Then the specialist will remove the peels and apply a neutralizing agent to the treated area. The process is over in less than an hour, and no hospital stay is needed.
The key to having great results from any skin rejuvenation treatment is the post-treatment care that you undertake. Peels are a highly effective skin treatment, and the healing process helps your skin bounce back to life and reap the maximum benefits of the treatment. Healing time after chemical peel treatment in India depends on the type of peel used. Here are some more facts about healing post-chemical peel treatment in India
- The complete peeling can take anywhere from 7-10 days, depending on your skin type, age, weather, hormones, and lifestyle.
- Each treatment varies. Other areas of the body react differently to chemical peel treatment. This is because the skin of the face has a different thickness and texture than that of the back, arms, legs, or chest.
- Redness, dryness, itching, irritation, peeling, and scabbing are normal side effects of the treatment. Peeling usually starts about the third to the fourth day of the treatment and generally around the nose and mouth area.
- It is normal to experience some lack of peeling, but that does not mean that the treatment did not work. Instead, it means there is microscopic peeling, and you will still see the benefits of reduced lines, unclogged pores, stimulated collagen production, diminished signs of aging, and visible change in skin tone and texture.
Here are some expert tips for post-chemical peel treatment care for the best visible results that your skin will love
Dos In the few days after the treatment
- Your skin care specialist knows the best, and it is imperative that you only choose a qualified professional for this type of acid-based treatment. Following your specialist’s advice is the best thing you can do for your skin. They are the only ones who can give you tailored advice on what is to be done to ensure the effectiveness of the chemical peel. They are also your go-to person for advice on which cleanser or moisturizer will help your skin on the road to healing.
- Wash your skin with cool or room temperature water: when cleansing your skin, use cool or room temperature water. Hot water or very cold water can feel harsh on the skin and even aggravate the side effects. Cool water will soothe the skin and reduce post-peel sensations.
- Use suitable skin care products: Switch to skin care products that are gentle on the skin and suitable for sensitive skin. Soap-free cleansers are the first thing to opt for. They are safe for sensitive skin and don’t try the skin. Post-chemical peel, your skin is already tight and dry, and you don’t need the harshness of soap adding to this dryness after a peel. Gentle soap-free cleansers ensure your skin is clean and well hydrated, and the natural oils are preserved.
- Keep the skin moisturized and hydrated: Chemical peels strip the skin of its protective barrier, albeit temporarily. Therefore, it needs to be reinforced with a thick moisturizer. These heavy-duty ointments will soothe the skin and also help hydrate it. Apply it several times a day without applying pressure on the skin or whenever your skin feels tight or dry. For added hydration, you can also use a hydrating mist. Remember to drink enough water during the day to make sure the skin is hydrated from the inside out. You will be able to get back to your normal skincare routine after a week of the chemical peel treatment.
- Sunscreen is an absolute must always: The skin is very delicate after a chemical peel treatment, and the sun is its worst enemy. Even small amounts of sun exposure can do damage to it. Therefore, the important golden rule is to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen when you are outdoors or indoors. Sunscreen will protect your skin from inflammation. Your sunscreen should have the protection of a minimum of 40 SPF+++ and more. Apply sunscreen for half an hour before stepping out and reapply every 2-3 hours.
- Let your skin be: Each skin has its different healing time, and there is no point rushing into other treatments or trying other products. Chemical peel aftercare is all about good healing. Please sit back, relax, and let the treatment work its magic on your skin.
Don’ts post chemical peel treatment in Mumbai.
While you take good care of your skin, there are some things that you must never do to the skin.
- Do not pick, pull, scratch, or touch the treated skin. Any kind of pressure on the skin can cause bleeding, infections, breakouts, scarring, etc. Peels expose the skin to chemical treatments and cause it to peel, and if you try to touch or remove the skin, it will only delay healthy skin and even cause scarring. Never touch your skin with dirty hands, as it can cause breakouts.
- Keep your hair away from the face: Pull your hair back and tie it with a hair band. This will let the skin breathe and keep the breakouts at bay. If you get any breakouts, don’t try to self-treat but go to your skin specialist for the right treatment.
- Keep the retinol treatments away, as using them will only push the skin into cell turnover overload and only delay the healing process. Stop using retinol products a week before your peel, and wait to use them till your aesthetician okays it.
- Don’t exfoliate: it is tempting to exfoliate the skin to remove the peeling but resist it at all costs. Your skin is already exfoliated by the chemical peels, and it does not need any more of it.
- Limit the use of skin care products: till the time the peel heals, switch to a minimal skincare regime. A gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen are enough.
- Only opt for other cosmetic treatments once the time the skin heals completely. It can be about two weeks after the treatment. This also includes avoiding waxing, treating, epilation, Botox, fillers, laser treatments, tweezing, or IPL treatments.
- Don’t expose your skin to heat treatments, and this includes avoiding tanning beds and hot tubs and working in the sun. Heat can cause infections on the treated skin.
- Avoid exercising or strenuous activities: Sweating and exertion will increase blood circulation and aggravate the side effects of the chemical peels.
- Only go booking hair color treatments after a week of the treatment, or till the time the skin has finished peeling. Give it a three-week gap between the peel treatment and a hair color appointment.
Immediately after chemical peel treatment in India
- Avoid swimming 24 hours after the treatment
- Stay away from jacuzzies, saunas, and steam baths
- Avoid makeup for 24 hours post-chemical peel treatment
Chemical peels are a simple and excellent way to take years off your skin and promote collagen and elastin production in the skin. Good aftercare ensures that the treatment stays effective for a long time.
