Treatments like chemical peels or carbon facials should always be undergone with some pre-procedure precautions in mind. These treatments aren’t as gentle as your regular facials and hence, you won’t know how your skin will react. Properly prepping your skin before the treatment will not only enhance the results but also avoid any unnecessary irritation, burning or damage to the skin. Here’s how you can best prepare for a chemical peel!
What is a chemical peel?
Chemical peels use an intensely exfoliating skin acid to resurface the top layer of your skin. Different chemicals such as retinoic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or lactic acid are used depending on the sensitivity of your skin. These skin-friendly acids peel off the top layers of your skin to reveal a brighter complexion underneath. They can be used to treat acne, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture, get rid of scars and pigmentation, and leave you with younger-looking skin.
How do chemical peels feel on your skin?
In case you were wondering what chemical peels feel like on your face, here’s the lowdown…
- A chemical peel is accompanied by a mild tingling and itching sensation on your face. While it’s totally normal, inform our dermatologist immediately if you are not able to endure it.
- You might also experience temperature change in your skin, both hot or cold. This is also a normal reaction of the skin depending upon the type of acid used for the peel.
- You will also feel the tautness in your skin for a couple of minutes after the peel is left on your face. Why? Well, because the peel extracts impurities from your skin, thus the tightness.
How to prepare for chemical peels?
Now that you know what to expect from a chemical peel, here’s how to best prepare for it:
- Do your research on what kind of peel you are in need of. For instance, I personally treated my cystic acne by getting salicylic acid peels and it worked wonders for my face. Talk to your dermatologist on the options that will best suit your needs.
- It is crucial that you do not exfoliate your skin for at least a week prior to the chemical peel since the acid will already do that for you. Steer clear of facial scrubs or any other beauty products that might have an exfoliating effect on your skin. This will also include your retinol or hyaluronic acid night treatments.
- Stop using any other acne, pigmentation or anti-ageing topical treatments on your face. You should also take a break from ay skin-related medications you might be on, but always after consultation with your dermatologist.
- Stay hydrated so that you can take the over-drying effect of the peel in your stride. In fact, the dryness and peeling will last for a couple of days so keep your skin hydrated from within by drinking enough glasses of water daily.
- FYI, this should also be a reminder to never go in for a peel close to an event as you need to let your skin breathe in its natural state. Any amount of makeup application will ruin the results of the peel. Also, no concealer in the world can hide peeling skin!
Written by Sumona Bose on May 12, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!