What to Expect During Your Chemical Peel

Your clinician will apply the necessary chemicals using a cotton ball. The number of times you will have to undergo a facial peel depends on how much your skin needs to be treated. Some people may only need one treatment, while others may require several more treatments over the course of several weeks. After each facial peel, your skin will become red and swollen for several hours. Over the next few days, you may experience some mild peeling or flaking as well as sensitivity to light or even a slight sense of burning. These sensations are normal and should resolve within the first few days.

After your skin has peeled or flaked, it will go through a period of regeneration. This means that your new skin will be bright and smooth. You will feel confident and comfortable in your skin after your chemical peel. Depending on your symptoms and how your skin responds to treatment, you may need to have another chemical peel in about six months. You should avoid chemical peels if you are pregnant or have a history of keloids, problems with your skin healing after injury, heart issues, or cancer.

Is There Any Downtime After a Chemical Peel?

Even though you will be able to go back to your regular routine after a facial peel, you need to avoid strenuous activities such as aerobic workouts. Based on the area that the peel is treating and how much skin is affected, you may experience noticeable redness for several days. Slight peeling or flaking skin is also possible. You should also avoid spending a lot of time in the sun or tanning booths. It can take several weeks for your skin to fully recover after undergoing a chemical peel. Your skin may look mottled and patchy for about two weeks.

What Results Can I Expect From a Chemical Peel?

Depending on the type of chemical peel that you undergo, the results can be quite dramatic. The deeper and thicker your skin layer was before treatment, the more pronounced your results will be. A facial peel will diminish fine lines, acne scarring will fade, and discoloration will be reduced. You should also see an improvement in the texture of your skin.