Set yourself up for great results. Below you’ll find clear, step-by-step tips for what to do before and after your appointment at Highland Park Aesthetics in Dallas.
We cover injectables (anti-wrinkle, fillers, Sculptra), microneedling, and chemical peels—what to expect, what to avoid, and when you can get back to normal routines. If anything is unclear, we’re here to help.
PRE-PROCEDURE
- Inform your treatment provider if you have taken Accutane (oral acne medication) in the past year.
- Cease application of all topical retinoids, or Vitamin A derivative products.
- Cease use of all Glycolic or chemical exfoliants.
- Cease use of all mechanical exfoliants, such as scrubs.
- Avoid facial waxing, depilatories, threading and laser hair removal 1 week before appointment
- Avoid sun exposure without a sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater. Avoid tanning beds.
- Expect your skin to appear pink for a few hours after treatment.
- Your skin may be sensitive for the first day. Most people can return to regular activities the same day.
- Make-up may be applied 24 hours post treatment.
- Although this is a light peel some areas may become dryer and/or flaky. Some may not have any reactions. This is normal
- Avoid direct sunlight on the treated area and use a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen of SPF 30.
- Avoid using abrasive products such as scrubs or exfoliating sponges for 24-48 hours.
- Avoid products such as retinols and glycolic acid 48 hours
- Resume skincare regimen 24 hours post treatment.
POST-PROCEDURE
Here are a few great tips for chemical peel after care, so you can maintain the best results from your treatment:
- Hands Off: The main goal of a chemical peel is to “burn” off the damaged skin. When the dead skin starts to shed. Avoid touching, picking or scratching it with your fingers. Let the dead skin shed off naturally. Don’t peel the skin off with your own fingers. Using fingers to remove the dead skin can lead to possible scarring.
- Pull It Back: Help avoid touching the face and prevent breakouts by pulling the hair back off the face with hair band or hair tie. Allow the skin to go through its naturally peeling process without accidentally contacting your skin while brushing back your hair. Touching the skin with dirty fingers and hands will only aggregate the new skin and may lead to breakouts. If breakouts do occur, don’t treat them yourself. Have your treatment provider treat them for you or just leave them alone.
- Moisturize: After receiving a chemical peel, the skin will be sensitive. You do not want to use the same products or follow the same regimen as usual after treatment. The only two products you’ll want to use on your skin during the peeling process are sunscreen and moisturizer. Use a neutral moisturizer such as Aquaphor for the first couple days after treatment and then switch to a moisturizer like Medical Barrier Cream for the rest of the peeling process.
- When applying the moisturizer to the skin, be careful not to rub or scrub it in. Gently apply a thick layer of moisturizer all over the skin multiple times throughout the day, if needed. You’ll be able to go back to your regular skincare routine one the peeling process is complete, generally within a week of receiving the chemical peel.
- Protect with SPF: You’ve just gone through the process of getting rid of damaged skin with a chemical peel. Avoid damaging the new, vulnerable skin coming through by protecting it with a layer of sunscreen anytime exposure to the sun is possible. Whether sitting by a window or being outside, you need to protect your new skin. Be sure to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Let it Peel: Do not remove any of the dry, dead skin with any sort of exfoliation during the peeling process. All facial scrubs, acids and Clarisonic Cleansing Brushes are off limits until the skin stops shedding, usually up to a week after treatment.
- Lighten Up: Dead skin loves dark clothing. To better camouflage the dead skin shedding off the face, it’s probably a good idea to wear lighter colored clothes during the peeling process.
- Don’t Worry: It’s also a good idea to let people around you know that you just received a chemical peel. This way they won’t think something is up with you and your skin. Not only that, your friends can admire your new Refreshed and glowing skin once the peel is completed.