After receiving a chemical peel, it’s vital that you follow your practitioner’s advice for optimal results. This usually includes avoiding sunlight exposure, moisturizing regularly and including sunscreen as part of a long-term skin care routine, , says our Dermatologist in Mumbai.
Picking at dead skin can result in scarring; instead, allow it to naturally shed off.
Do Not Exfoliate
Though it may seem counter-intuitive, attempting to hasten the natural flaking process after receiving a TCA chemical peel treatment can actually damage and scar your skin permanently. Exfoliation after chemical peels remove both live and dead skin cells simultaneously, leading to increased sensitivity and inflammation that could leave lasting scars behind.
As your skin heals, you should opt for gentle cleansing methods instead of exfoliates or scrubs such as our Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser to ensure proper care of the sensitive area.
As soon as your skin has healed, avoid engaging in activities which cause excessive sweating or heat on your face such as intense workouts, saunas and hot tubs. Doing so could increase risk of infection while prolonging recovery time from it.
Wait one week before scheduling any additional cosmetic procedures such as facial waxing and electrolysis. Also avoid tanning beds and make sunscreen an integral part of your daily regimen.
Do Not Apply Moisturizer
Allowing skin to shed naturally is best, rather than trying to pick at it with brushes or fingers. Some dead cells could still be attached to living ones and it would be possible to cause irreparable harm by trying to extract too many.
Once your skin has undergone a TCA peel, it may feel tight and dry. A heavy moisturizer such as an ointment may help ease this sensation while keeping the skin hydrated – look out for ones with SPF protection to minimize sun exposure!
Infuse Nutrient Activating Mist is an ideal gentle hydrating mist that offers moisture and strengthens your natural barrier with antioxidants. A hydrating mist is especially useful when your skin is in an especially delicate state as multiple applications throughout the day without exerting too much pressure are applied without worrying about lotion or cream becoming overloaded and uncomfortable to apply.
Do Not Wash Your Face
If you wash your face after receiving a TCA peel, the fresh new skin cells may shed too quickly, leaving them vulnerable and susceptible to sun damage. For optimal results, it’s wise to wait at least until all flaking has subsided before washing off the peel’s effects.
Preparing for a chemical peel requires that you refrain from any exfoliating treatments (scrubs, loofahs or facial scrubs), waxing, electrolysis or depilatory cream use for at least a week prior to its administration. This will enable your skin to respond optimally.
Consider forgoing activities that cause excessive sweating, such as hot yoga or intense workouts, for similar reasons. Excessive sweat can irritate skin and contribute to infection while prolonging healing processes – this applies especially if sitting in saunas and hot tubs is involved. Likewise if your peel has resulted in large areas of swelling; sleeping with extra pillows might help limit head movement during those initial two nights after receiving your peel treatment.
Do Skip Sunscreen
As well as avoiding direct sun exposure, it’s also essential to use a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 rating to protect your skin from further sun damage. This is an essential step no matter what kind of peel treatment is performed on you; it becomes especially essential after TCA peel treatments have been administered.
Stay away from activities that increase body heat and sweat production, such as tanning, saunas, steam rooms, intensive exercise, hot shower spray or swimming. Excessive sweating can irritate the skin, leading it to peel faster than it otherwise would have done, says our top dermatologist in Mumbai.
Conclusion
Within the first week after receiving a TCA peel, it’s ideal to limit facial cleansing sessions to twice per day with a gentle cleanser like Eternal Clarifying Polish, while using moisturizer and sunscreen daily (both should already be part of your skincare routine!). Physical sunblock is preferable over chemical sunblock as it less likely irritates the skin.