Chemical Peel

• Avoid heat, heavy exercise, and anything that causes flushing or sweating
• Wait 4–6 hours before washing your face unless your provider neutralized the peel in-office
• Cleanse gently with a fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water; pat dry
• Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer — do not apply makeup, retinoids, acids, or active ingredients
• Apply SPF 30+ before any outdoor exposure

• Cleanse gently twice daily with a mild, non-foaming cleanser
• Moisturize 2–3 times daily — hydration helps skin shed more evenly
• Apply SPF 30+ every morning; reapply every 2 hours if outdoors
• Do NOT pick, scratch, or peel flaking skin — this is the leading cause of scarring and post-peel hyperpigmentation

Avoid

• Strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, swimming pools
• Active skincare: retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide
• Makeup on actively peeling areas

After a Superficial Peel

• Mild pinkness and tightness; light flaking days 2–5
• No open raw areas (contact us if this occurs)

After a Medium-Depth Peel

• Bronzing or darkening of skin in days 1–2
• Sheet-like peeling beginning days 2–3
• Fresh, pink, sensitive skin beneath
• Full color normalization at 10–14 days

• Resume retinoids: at least 7 days post superficial peel; 14 days post medium-depth peel
• Reintroduce gradually — 2–3 nights per week at low strength to start
• Wear SPF 30+ daily for 4–6 weeks minimum — new skin is extremely sun-sensitive
• Avoid tanning beds
• Series spacing: every 4–6 weeks (superficial) or 6–8 weeks (medium-depth)