Skincare and advanced cosmetic procedures, particularly those in niche areas, have gained much traction, with chemical peels ranking at the top of that list. The treatment is effective for various skin types and concerns, ranging from acne scars and wrinkles to hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.
However, like most cosmetic procedures, even chemical peels have standard pre and post-care treatment instructions. This is mainly because the chemical peel’s success relies on the procedure and the quality and adherence to the post-care treatment instructions.
This article will explore all the essential chemical peel aftercare you need to know about and implement to enhance the treatment results.
Chemical Peels: An Overview
Before we dive into the post-care instructions, let’s clarify the basics first. This is generally the route we follow at AAYNA Clinic as well. Maintaining 100% transparency, our specialists educate the client about the procedure, its goals, results, and potential side effects.
Chemical peels are cosmetic or dermatological procedures that use chemical solutions to gently and deeply exfoliate the skin, removing damaged layers and revealing smoother, more youthful skin beneath.
The steps involved in chemical peel treatment include:
Application of the Chemical Solution
The first step involves a thorough consultation with one of our specialist aestheticians at AAYNA Clinic. This includes assessing your skin type, determining if chemical peeling is suitable for your skin, and figuring out the type of chemical peel that would yield the best results for your specific skin concerns.
Once the initial consultation is over, the dermatologist applies a chemical solution to the skin during the actual procedure. The specific solution used and its strength will vary depending on the type and depth of the peel being performed.
Chemical Reaction
The applied chemical solution reacts with the skin, exfoliating the top layer to eliminate dirt, clogged pores, and dead,dull-looking skin.
Recovery and Regeneration
Following the chemical peeling procedure, mentally prepare yourself as your skin will peel. This is entirely normal and should occur naturally. Avoid pulling or poking at the skin peels.
Post – Care Treatment
Once the procedure is complete, our specialists at AAYNA Clinic will guide you through a detailed post-care instruction guide you need to follow for a successful treatment outcome and to minimize the potential side effects.
Why is Aftercare Essential Post Chemical Peel Treatment?
You might be wondering, ‘Why do I have to spend my time prioritizing aftercare after a chemical peel?’ Well, believe it or not, post-care treatment is an integral part of the chemical peel process.
Not only does it minimize post-treatment risks, but it also adds to the success of the treatment. leaving you with soft, supple, and radiant-looking skin.
Some of the crucial reasons why post-care is essential include:
1. Minimize Side Effects
In some cases, chemical peels can lead to side effects like redness, swelling, peeling, and, in some cases, hyperpigmentation. Following the post-care instructions mentioned by the aesthetician minimizes these side effects, ensuring a more comfortable healing and recovery process.
2. Promote Healing
Since chemical peeling leads to the skin’s natural peeling to unveil the radiant skin underneath, following relevant post-treatment instructions accelerates the healing process to ensure proper skin regeneration.
3. Protect Against Infections
The skin is often more vulnerable to infections after chemical peeling. Adhering to the prescribed post-treatment care can thus reduce the incidence of infections and similar complications, ensuring optimal healing.
4. Maintain the Results
The last reason why following post-care instructions after chemical peeling is vital is to prolong and maintain the results. A diligent post-care routine helps preserve the improved skin texture and appearance.
What are the Immediate Steps to Include in Post-Peel Care?
So, what do you do right after the chemical peel treatment is done? The immediate post-chemical peel care is a multi-step process, so let us break it down for you.
Cleansing:
After the chemical peel, the skin is much more sensitive and prone to irritation. Hence, a gentle and pH-balanced cleanser is important to remove residual chemicals and impurities, preventing potential irritation and allergic reactions.
When using cleansers after the peel, avoid harsh scrubbing or hot water on the skin. Instead, gently pat dry the skin with lukewarm or cold water.
Sun Protection:
One of the most important aspects of immediate post-peel care is sun protection. A chemical peel makes the skin more susceptible to sun damage, leading to hyperpigmentation, skin damage, and delayed healing.Make sure to use broad-spectrum sunscreen when stepping outside the house.
Avoiding Makeup:
Make sure to avoid applying makeup for at least a week. It has the tendency to delay healing and even contribute to infection or irritation.
Avoiding Active Skincare Products
Products containing active ingredients like retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) can be too harsh on freshly peeled skin and disrupt the healing process. Hence, it is advisable to stop using these for a few days after the treatment.
What are Some Special Post-Care Considerations for Deep Peels?
Deep chemical peels, like – phenol peels, are one of the most severe forms of chemical peeling and are generally done rarely by trained and experienced dermatologists.
These kinds of chemical peels are advised for patients with very complex skin concerns, including an abrasive case of acne, etc. Either way, these chemical peel treatments have specific post-care instructions that the patients need to follow.
Some vital takeaways include:
Dressing Changes:
When discussing chemical peel post-treatment for deep peels, dressing changes are one of the integral ones. Changing the dressings properly will help protect the skin, promote healing, and prevent infection.
The dermatologist will discuss the steps involved in dressing changes at length. In most cases, the same is done by the professionals themselves.
Strict Sun Protection:
While sun protection is essential for mild and superficial chemical peels, it is indispensable for deep peels. The peels make the skin even more susceptible to sun damage and hyperpigmentation, so comprehensive sun protection is paramount.
In this case, high SPF and broad-spectrum sunscreens are advised for usage. It is best if the patient remains indoors until the end of the treatment.
Limited Physical Activity
The standard treatment can lead to tingling and slight burning on the skin, but deep chemical peels often damage the skin’s top treated layer. Hence, limiting physical activity temporarily is advised to minimize sweating to promote better healing.
What are the Long-term Care and Maintenance Tips for Chemical Peel Treatment?
Besides following the after-peel care, there are specific tips to follow to achieve lasting benefits from the chemical peel treatment. They are as follows:
1. Sun Protection as a Routine:
If you love your skin and want to maximize its radiance and prolong the effects of your cosmetic procedures, build sun protection as a lifelong habit. Besides protecting against UV damage, routine sun protection also slows the onset of aging signs and reduces the risk of skin cancer.
Even when it’s cloudy outside, make it a habit to apply sunscreen on your face, neck, hands, or any exposed part of the skin.
2. Include Gentle Skincare Products:
Making skincare an integral part of your daily routine is essential to maintain the effects of the chemical peel treatment. However, the kind of skincare products you add to your routine makes a lot of difference.
Opt for gentle and non-irritating skincare products suitable for your skin type and concerns. Also, avoid over-exfoliating, including chemical peeling at home with certain skincare products.
3. Regular Follow-Up with a Specialist:
Dermatologists and aestheticians are miracle workers for your skin. If you want to prolong the effects of the peel, look radiant, and delay the signs of premature aging, you must indulge in regular follow-up treatments.
Doing so will address your skin’s health and promptly handle any ongoing issues.
4. Lifestyle Choices:
Your skin is a reflection of your physiological well-being. If your bodily functions aren’t optimal, it will reflect on the skin, regardless of how expensive your skincare products are or how frequently you are going for treatments.
Making healthier lifestyle choices includes eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and getting good-quality sleep. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle is vital for skin maintenance.
Conclusion
Chemical peels are effective procedures for rejuvenating and revitalizing the skin, addressing various concerns, from acne scars to signs of aging. If this is your first rodeo and you need clarification about the post-care instructions and how to adhere to them, we hope this article answers all your queries in detail.
At AAYNA Clinic, we offer comprehensive and effective chemical peel treatments tailored to your unique skin type and concerns. For more details and appointments, kindly reach out to us so that we can better assist and guide you.
