How to Treat Your Skin After a Chemical Peel

Co-authored by Alicia Ramos

Last Updated: May 14, 2021

A chemical peel is a common skin treatment to get rid of sunspots, wrinkles, and dark patches. It’s very successful in treating those issues, but what do you do after you have the treatment? Like with any procedure, there are some important aftercare tips to follow so your skin heals well. Always check with your dermatologist for the right steps, but these are the most common ways to treat your skin after a chemical peel.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning

1
Wash your skin gently every day with soap and water. Wet your face, then rub your skin lightly with a hypoallergenic facial cleanser designed for sensitive skin. Rinse your skin to get rid of any suds. This is important for avoiding infections after the treatment.^{[1]
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- Your skin will probably be tender for a few days after the peel, so go easy when you wash your face. Use light pressure and don’t scrub your skin hard.
- Your dermatologist might recommend a special cleansing solution instead of plain face soap, especially if you had a deep peel. Always use the product that they recommend.^{[2]
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2
Soak crusty areas with a wet washcloth to soften them. If you had a medium or deep peel, then parts of your skin might scab or get crusty. Hold a wet washcloth over these spots for 10 minutes at a time to soften them. Over time, they’ll fall off and reveal fresh skin underneath.^{[3]
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- Don't pull off any scabs! This could cause a scar. Let them fall off on their own.
- You probably won’t need to do this after a superficial peel, since crusting is very rare with this treatment.
- Depending on the depth of the peel you had, you might have to do these soaks up to 6 times per day. Follow your dermatologist’s instructions.^{[4]
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3
Apply ointment or moisturizer every time you wash or soak your skin. Use a gentle, hypoallergenic type that won't irritate your skin. Rub a very thin layer onto your skin to lock in moisture and reduce irritation. Unless your dermatologist tells you otherwise, do this after every wash or soak until your skin heals.^{[5]
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- Regular moisturizing also helps reduce pain, since your skin won’t dry out.
- Petroleum jelly is a common choice here because it won’t irritate your skin.^{[6]
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- Your dermatologist might prescribe a particular moisturizer or antibacterial cream to treat your skin after the procedure. Always use the product that they prescribe or recommend.
4
Put a fresh dressing on your skin if you had a deep peel. The dermatologist will probably bandage your skin after a deep peel, so you’ll have to change the bandage every time you clean your skin. Apply a fresh gauze pad or nonstick bandage, according to your dermatologist’s instructions. This keeps dirt and bacteria out of the wound.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Managing Pain

1
Hold ice packs against your face to reduce swelling and discomfort. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and hold it against your face for 10-15 minutes at a time.^{[8]
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- Don't use an ice pack without wrapping it in a towel. This could damage your skin, especially when you’re still healing.
2
Take pain relievers to reduce any pain. It’s normal for your skin to feel sore after a chemical peel, especially if you had a moderate or deep peel. Pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen will do the trick. Take one of these to control the pain while you’re healing.^{[9]
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- Always follow the dosing instructions on the medication you use so you don’t take too much by accident.
- If your face is swollen, then an NSAID medication may work better to reduce the inflammation.
3
Take any prescription medication that your dermatologist gives you. For deep peels especially, your dermatologist might prescribe more powerful painkillers to make you more comfortable. Take these according to your dermatologist’s directions while your skin is healing.^{[10]
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- Your dermatologist might also prescribe antibiotics or antivirals to prevent an infection after the treatment. This is more common for deep chemical peels.
- Do not take more pain medication than your dermatologist tells you to, because it could be addictive.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Damage

1
Keep your hands and hair off your face. Anything touching your face will not only hurt, but it also spreads around dirt and bacteria that could infect your wound. If you have long hair, keep it tied back so it doesn’t rub on your face, and do your best to avoid touching your face as much as possible.^{[11]
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- This might be tough for you, since your skin might itch after the treatment. Keep reminding yourself that touching your face will do more harm than good.
- Keeping your skin moisturized can help reduce the itching, so this might reduce your temptation to scratch.
2
Stay out of the sun until your skin stops peeling. When your skin starts peeling, the fresh skin underneath will be very sensitive. Avoid the sun for at least 1-2 days after the treatment, according to your dermatologist’s instructions, so you don’t get burned.^{[12]
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- The length of time you’ll have to avoid the sun depends on what type of peel you had. It could range from a day or two to 3-6 months.
- If you’re at all unsure about how long you have to avoid the sun, ask your dermatologist.
3
Wear sunblock every time you go outside after your skin heals. This is important for maintaining the results of your chemical peel and preventing new dark spots from appearing. As soon as your skin heals up and all the scabs are gone, start wearing at least SPF 15 sunblock every day.^{[13]
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- Generally, you can start putting on sunblock when your skin isn't flaking anymore after the procedure. This time varies depending on how deep of a peel you had. It could be a day, or it could be a few weeks.
- For more sun protection, wear a hat too.
4
Avoid putting makeup on until your dermatologist says it’s safe. Makeup could clog and irritate your skin after a chemical peel, so skip it until your skin heals. This usually means that you'll have to wait until your skin isn't flaking or scabbing anymore. When your dermatologist says your skin is healed enough, then you can start using it again.^{[14]
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- For a light chemical peel, you might be able to use makeup the next day. For deeper peels, it might take a few weeks.
- When your skin heals enough, dermatologists actually recommend wearing a bit of makeup to cover up any red spots on your skin after the treatment. These will last until your skin is fully healed.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Can you do a chemical peel at home?

Alicia Ramos
Skincare Professional
Alicia Ramos is a licensed aesthetician and the owner of Smoothe Denver in Denver, Colorado. She received her license at the School of Botanical & Medical Aesthetics, with training in lashes, dermaplaning, waxing, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels, and now provides skin care solutions to hundreds of clients.

Alicia Ramos

Skincare Professional

Expert Answer

No. If you want a chemical peel, always visit a dermatologist for a professional treatment.