Chemical Peel - Aftercare Advice
Risks and Side Effects
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Common side effects are temporary and include redness, dryness, stinging or burning, and slight swelling. With deep peels, you may permanently lose the ability to tan.
Chemical peels can, however, have more serious risks and dangerous side effects that can be permanent. These include:
Darkening or lightening of the skin color. These can be more common in people with darker skin.
Scarring. This can be permanent.
Infections. People with herpes simplex may experience flares following a treatment. Very rarely, chemical peels can cause fungal or bacterial infections.
Heart, liver, or kidney damage. The phenol used in deep peels can actually damage the heart muscle, kidneys, and liver and cause irregular heartbeats.
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What to expect after
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Recovery time varies depending on which chemical peel you received. During recovery, follow your practitioner's aftercare instructions faithfully. They’ll give you sporadic instructions for how often to wash your face and moisturize, and which products you should use to do so.
Try to stay out of the sun until your skin has healed. and always wear your sunscreen, apply sunscreen with SPF 30 every morning
Avoid using makeup or other cosmetics until your practitioner gives you the go-ahead
You can use ice packs for 20 minutes at a time, or a cool fan, to help relieve discomfort at home
When cleansing, do not scrub - Use a gentle cleanser as directed by your Practitioner
With any peel, your skin may start to peel 1-3 days after the peel and continue to peel for up to 5 more days, however, it is also possible your skin may not peel at all
Do not peel, pick or scratch the treated area. as this may result in scarring
Apply polysporin, bacitracin, or Vaseline to dry flaky areas or as directed by your practitioner
Do not have any other facial treatments for at least 2 weeks after your peel or until the skin is smooth and back to normal
If given a cortisone cream by your practitioner, please apply it 1-3 times per day to irritated areas or as directed.
Always wear your sunscreen; apply sunscreen with SPF 30 every morning