Q – Do you have much pain after a chemical peel?
Regardless of the depth of peel utilized there is very little to no discomfort after the peel. The deeper peels are painful to deliver and require anesthesia, however after the peel the skin only feels a little warm and tight, but not painful.
Q – What is the down time for a chemical peel?
The PCA peels vary from 1-3 days of light flaking and slight redness. The surgeons peel requires an ointment to be used on the face continuously for 10 days and no makeup can be worn for 14 days. Following this time period a special mineral based make-up will be provided that will cover any residual redness.
Q – Do I need to discontinue any products before the chemical peel?
There are certain types of products such as Retin-A that need to be discontinued prior to the peel. Additionally, you may not have received Accutane in the past year. Prior to the peel a detailed medical history will be conducted to verify that the appropriate agents have been discontinued in a timely fashion.
Q – How do I take care of myself after the chemical peel?
We will provide you with detailed written instructions describing how to take care of your skin prior to the peel and during the healing phase. The deeper peel requires an ointment to be worn for 10 days and a special cleanser to be used. We provide all of the necessary care items to our patients. We additionally see all of our patients frequently during the recovery process to walk them through exactly how to care for their skin.
Q – Can I wear makeup after a chemical peel?
Some of the lighter peels allow make-up to be worn immediately after the peel. The deep physicians peel however does not allow makeup to be worn for 14 days.
Q – Do I need to stay out of the sun after a chemical peel? How long?
Regarding the deep surgeons peel, you will need to stay out of the sun completely for 14 days following the peel. Once makeup can be applied, the makeup has a sunscreen included which will allow for sun exposure for normal daily activities with limited exposure. Activities such as tennis and golf which require prolonged sun exposure cannot be undertaken until the face will allow more potent sunscreen, which is usually at one month. After sunscreen can be introduced sun exposure is completely allowed and not limited in any way, however, the sun is a large contributor to facial aging and so can undo some of the results of the peel. We are huge advocates of a healthy outdoor lifestyle, but strongly encourage all of our patients to protect their skin with sunscreen and clothing.
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