After having had a chemical peel, your skin may become highly sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, it’s essential that you discuss with your treatment professional when it’s safe for you to wear makeup again.
Once your light chemical peel has worn off, it is usually possible to resume wearing makeup again the following day; for medium or deep chemical peels however, you will likely require longer.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels are noninvasive cosmetic treatments designed to exfoliate damaged outer layers of facial skin, providing relief for blemishes, wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation. Chemical peels may be administered by dermatologists, licensed estheticians or skin specialists.
Your skin’s response to a chemical peel will depend on its type. Light peels (such as “lunchtime peels”) typically have short recovery times and may be repeated regularly; deeper peels require longer time for healing and require longer periods for recovery time.
Chemical peels leave behind fragile new skin that’s highly susceptible to being damaged if exposed to anything other than clean, water-based products.
Moisturization is also key, to keep it supple and prevent flaky or scaly areas that could increase scarring risk. For the 2-4 weeks prior to treatment, protect yourself from direct sunlight by wearing high SPF sunblock, as well as not irritating your skin with scratchy clothing or jewelry that could rub against it and lead to scarring.
Preparation for a chemical peel
Chemical peels can help rejuvenate and rejuvenate skin tone, but for optimal results it’s essential that you prepare your skin correctly beforehand.
Begin with a gentle face wash that doesn’t exfoliate or contain acids, and ensure you use moisturizer to maintain soft skin.
Avoid cosmetics containing minerals and metals, as they can irritate skin conditions and even cause infections. Furthermore, avoid touching or pulling at your face – doing so could cause premature wrinkles to form.
Once again, it’s essential to consult your master esthetician when applying makeup after receiving a chemical peel, since every type has a different recovery timeframe. As a general guideline, at least 24 hours should pass before considering wearing any form of cosmetics on newly exposed skin, in order to prevent bacterial infections and premature damage; too soon application could clog your pores, making the treatment less effective overall.
The chemical peel procedure
Chemical peels can be administered by dermatologists, estheticians or skin specialists and serve to remove dead skin cells while improving your complexion and may reduce acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles.
Light peels typically involve minimal downtime. Deeper peels may be recommended to address extensive sun damage and deep lines or wrinkles with stronger combinations of TCA, phenol, or other chemicals which penetrate to penetrate deeper layers of your skin.
Avoid cosmetic treatments like depilatories, permanent hair dyeing, face masks and facial scrubs during the week before your peel. They may cause irritation to your bare skin and slow the recovery process, while makeup could become contaminated with bacteria from hands and brushes, and could rub against healing skin while clogging pores. If necessary, look for mineral makeup instead as this option won’t clog pores like other makeups can.
Post-peel care
After receiving a chemical peel, your skin needs time to heal before applying makeup. Doing so too soon could result in serious irritation issues and can even cause skin inflammation.
For optimal results, it is wise to wait for medical clearance before wearing makeup again. Recovery times differ for each individual; while some experience redness and dryness, others experience more severe symptoms.
A light chemical peel may help address fine wrinkling, acne, uneven skin tone or sun-damage on your face and requires less time for healing than deep peels.
After treatment, it’s best to use soap-free cleansers and avoid exfoliation products like scrubs or exfoliating sponges on the area that has been treated. Also avoid facial hair removal techniques like electrolysis and waxing and tanning beds while using water-based moisturizers like VITAL C Hydrating Intense Moisturizer in order to keep skin hydrated and stay away from direct sunlight and tanning beds.