The Aftercare

Chemical peels

A gentle guide for before and after your peel, to help it work evenly and heal comfortably.

Before

Before your visit

Preparing your skin helps your peel work evenly and heal comfortably.

Step 01
7 days before
- Avoid
- Retinol and retinoids
- Strong AHAs and BHAs (glycolic, lactic, salicylic)
- At-home peels
- Waxing, threading or laser on the treatment area
- Extended sun exposure and tanning beds
Step 02
3–5 days before
- Use only a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and SPF, unless your provider gave you a prep routine.
- Stop benzoyl peroxide and other strong acne treatments on the treatment area, unless your provider or doctor advises otherwise.
Step 03
Day of your peel
- Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin if possible.
- Skip active products the morning of your peel.
- Let your provider know if
- You have a cold sore or feel one starting
- You’ve had unexpected sun exposure or a burn

After

Healing happens in stages. Here’s what to expect and how to care for your skin at each one.

Phase 01
First 24 hours
Keep your skin cool and calm.
Use only the products your provider recommends — usually a gentle cleanser, a soothing hydrating serum or cream, a bland moisturizer and SPF 30+ in the daytime.
Washing with hot water
Heavy sweating (gym, hot yoga, saunas, hot tubs)
Makeup if possible — if you must, keep it light and clean
Phase 02
24–72 hours
Skin may feel tight, dry or slightly sensitive, and flaking may begin.
Let peeling happen naturally
Trim lifting edges gently with clean scissors if needed — never pull
Keep it simple: gentle cleanser, hydrating serum, a rich non-irritating moisturizer and daily SPF
Picking, peeling or scratching
Retinol and retinoids
AHAs and BHAs
Vitamin C if it stings
Scrubs, cleansing brushes and dermaplaning
Hair removal on the treated area
Phase 03
3–7 days, until healed
Your skin is renewing — smoother, brighter skin is on the way.
Keep protecting your skin from the sun
Once peeling has stopped and your skin feels calm, reintroduce actives one at a time, every few days