Mastering the Recovery: A Guide to Post-TCA Peel Do’s and Don’ts

Maintenance is key in aiding recovery from chemical peel treatments, so be wary of products which dry your skin prior to receiving any treatment.

Though it can be tempting, resist the urge to exfoliate after receiving a chemical peel. Your skin is naturally shedding its layers; adding extra scrubs or acids could accelerate this process and result in premature skin shedding, says our Dermatologist in Mumbai.

Do’s

TCA peel can be an excellent way to revive skin, refresh it and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and acne breakouts. While they’re an ideal treatment option for anyone, it is important to keep the recovery process in mind and take measures that ensure your skin heals correctly afterward.

One of the key steps after receiving a chemical peel treatment is listening carefully to what your practitioner advises post-peel. They can provide tailored instructions specific to the type of peel used on you in order to facilitate an optimal recovery for your skin.

Dependent upon the severity of your peel, you should avoid direct sun exposure by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and applying sufficient sunblock. In addition, activities which cause excess sweating should also be avoided as these can irritate delicate skin and lead to blistering.

Refrain from picking at or scrubbing any loose or peeling skin. While picking may seem tempting, doing so will only interfere with its natural healing process and could even cause scarring. Instead, rinse your face gently with warm (not hot) water (rather than hot), and only use gentle cleansers without harsh exfoliates for best results.

Though it may seem counterproductive, avoiding vigorously scrubbing your skin will actually speed up healing time. Scrubbing can irritate delicate areas and hasten their shedding early. For optimal healing results, make sure your gentle cleansing and moisturizing routine remains in place until your skin has fully recovered.

Once a TCA peel has taken place, you should wait at least a week before waxing, using depilatory products or receiving electrolysis treatments. All these procedures may irritate and compromise the delicate skin recovering from such treatments; furthermore they increase your chances of post-peel infections while damaging new layers of healthy skin beneath.

Don’ts

A chemical peel can help improve fine lines and wrinkles, minor scars, stretch marks, sun damage discoloration and make skin more pliable and smooth. But success of any chemical peel treatment depends on following instructions to prepare and heal from it after each treatment session.

After receiving a chemical peel, it is best to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Chemical peels work best when exposed to healthy skin; otherwise they won’t do their job effectively. If necessary, wear at least broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen when venturing outdoors; alternatively switch up your skincare products several days before your peel by switching from products that dry out your skin to fragrance- and dye-free moisturizers each time you cleanse your face.

After receiving a chemical peel

After receiving a chemical peel, it’s also essential not to pick at or pull at any loose, flaky skin as this will disrupt the natural skin healing process and potentially lead to permanent hyperpigmentation. Instead, let it naturally shed itself over time without intervention before applying a moisturizer to keep hydrate it properly.

After having had a chemical peel, you should avoid exfoliating any new skin that has surfaced at once. While self-exfoliation may seem tempting afterward, doing this too soon can irritate and interfere with healing processes – instead wait a few days afterward before exfoliating with gentle scrubs recommended by your skincare professional, says our top dermatologist in Mumbai.

Conclusion

After receiving a chemical peel, it’s wise to forego any facial waxing, electrolysis or depilatories for at least 10 days – these treatments may clog pores and cause breakouts and other skin conditions. Furthermore, hot showers, may stimulate blood circulation which could result in redness or irritation of the skin. Finally, wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing such as a shirt or blouse to sleep in can prevent makeup rubbing off onto fabric after your peel.