Chemical Peel Instructions

If you are doing a chemical peel at home, the burden is on you to learn how to do the peel and how to take the necessary precautions to prevent yourself from injuring your skin. You should always consult a doctor or medical professional before doing a chemical peel. A trained dermatologist will be able to give you the best advice about what type and strength of peel to use on your skin. It is especially important to consult one if you have overly sensitive skin, or have allergic reactions to any other types of skin products.

The next step is to choose an at home regimen. If this is your first chemical peel, choose a lower strength chemical solution to be on the safe side. There are many different types of acids that you can use for a chemical peel. TCA is one of the stronger ones, though it is available in weaker solutions.

Potential Side Effects of Chemical Peels

The number one side effect is skin irritation. You can expect your skin to be red and inflamed, and this can persist for a week or so after the peel. You may also experience a burning sensation during and immediately after the peel. This should go away in a couple of hours.

Another potential side effect is discoloration of the skin. This may occur as the top layer of your skin peels off. A white tint to your skin is normal. Leaving the solution on for too long increases the chance that your skin may become chemically burned and discolored, sometimes permanently. This is why it is crucial to follow the product instructions by making sure you do not leave the product on too long.

Applying the Chemical Peel

Step 1: Cleansing your face

Wash your face with warm water and a gentle cleaner. Be sure to remove any makeup or moisturizers from your skin. Follow up by cleaning your skin with rubbing alcohol to remove the remaining oil from your face.

Step 2: Apply the solution to your face

Gently apply the solution to your face with a cotton ball or pad. Scrubbing or rubbing the solution into your skin can cause irritation, so make sure to apply it carefully. You want to try and coat the solution evenly around all of your face. Take care to avoid the eyes, mouth and other sensitive areas. Leave the solution on your skin for the length of time directed.

Step 3: Rinse the chemical peel from your skin

Using cold water, thoroughly rinse the solution off of your face. Gently blot your skin with wet towels to remove the rest of the chemical. Do not scrub or rub the skin in any way because this will aggravate your already now sensitive skin. In the next several days you only want to cleanse your skin using only your fingertips as a wash cloth can easily tear the chemically treated skin.

Step 4: Caring for your skin

Apply an antibiotic ointment to your skin to keep the area clean, moisturized, and free of bacteria. It will take several weeks for your skin to fully recover from this peel. After your skin has completely peels you can begin wearing makeup again, but try to choose products that are gentle on your skin. Avoid skin trauma as much as possible. Do not use any harsh cleansers on your skin until it has completely healed. And always make sure to use sunscreen whenever you go out into the sun, even if it is only for a short period of time as you don't want to cause the sun to give you unnecessary dark skin spots. Keep in mind that it can take a minimum of 4 weeks for your skin to recover fully.

Last but certainly not least. Enjoy your new beautiful skin!