Chemical Peel Aftercare: 10 Dos and Don’ts

✨ 7–14 Day TCA Peel Pre-Care Routine:

RECOMMENDED NOT REQUIRED 🧴 1. Use a Tyrosinase Inhibitor

 (7–14 days before)

This helps prevent PIH by stopping melanin overproduction.

• Examples:
  
• 4% Hydroquinone (Rx or OTC short-term use)
• Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Arbutin, or Tranexamic Acid
• Use 1–2x daily
• If you’re deeper-skinned or have a history of dark marks, this step is critical.
  

 

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REQUIRED 2. Exfoliate Gently (3x/week, up until 3 days before peel)

• Use low strength AHA or BHA to start shedding dead skin before the TCA does.
• Options:
  
• Glycolic acid 5–10%
• Lactic acid (better for dry or sensitive skin)
• Mandelic acid (great for melanin-rich skin)
• Stop all exfoliants 3 days before your peel.
  

 

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REQUIRED 3. Keep Skin Hydrated + Barrier Strong

• Use a non-stripping cleanser
• Moisturize daily with ingredients like:
  
• Ceramides
• Hyaluronic acid
• Glycerin
  

 

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4. Wear Sunscreen Daily

• This preps your skin to resist sun-triggered damage during healing.
• Use SPF 50+ every morning, rain or shine.

 

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REQUIRED 5. Discontinue These 3–5 Days Before Your Peel:

• Retinoids (Retin-A, tretinoin, adapalene)
• Benzoyl peroxide or strong acne treatments
• Waxing, threading, dermaplaning
• Exfoliating scrubs
• Active peels or facials

 

 

Days 1–14: Active Healing Phase (During Peeling)

 

Day 1–3: Redness, Tightness, and Darkening

• Skin feels tight, looks darker or bronzed — this is normal.
• Mild stinging, dryness, and swelling may occur.
• Start post-peel care immediately:
  
• Cleanse with gentle, non-stripping cleanser.
• Apply healing ointment (Aquaphor, CeraVe Healing Ointment).
• Apply mineral SPF 50+ every 2 hours, even indoors if near windows.
  

 

 

 

Day 4–7: Peeling Begins

 

• Flaking and sheets of skin may start to lift.
• Skin may look patchy or crusty — DO NOT PICK.
• Keep applying moisturizer every 2–4 hours, especially after cleansing.
• Still no workouts, saunas, or steam.

 

Day 8–10: Peeling Slows Down

 

• New baby skin will begin showing.
• This skin is raw, pink or brown, fragile and highly UV sensitive.
• Stay out of the sun and still apply SPF 50+ religiously.
• Switch from ointment to a lighter moisturizer if skin is no longer dry/cracked.

 

 

 

Day 11–14: Final Bits of Flaking

• Peeling mostly done.
• Skin might still feel sensitive or slightly rough in texture.
• You can begin introducing:
  
• Hydrating serums (like hyaluronic acid)
• Niacinamide (brightens and calms)
• Gentle vitamin C (if no irritation)
  

 

Days 15–28: Post-Healing Phase (Skin is Visibly Healed but Still Fragile)

Goal: 

Rebuild barrier, prevent hyperpigmentation, and maintain results

 

✅ Week 3 (Days 15–21):

 

• Sunscreen is still non-negotiable!
• Add gentle pigment-correcting agents:
  
• Azelaic Acid (10–20%) or
• Tranexamic Acid serum or
• Mandelic Acid (low strength) 2x/week for texture/brightening
  
• Introduce Vitamin C serum (L-ascorbic or THD) 3x/week
• Continue hydrating daily:
  
• Use hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramide creams
  

 

✅ Week 4 (Days 22–28):

 

• Start targeting deeper issues like scars, texture, or stubborn hyperpigmentation:
  
• Add Retinol 1–2x/week ONLY if your skin is calm and ready
• Use an evening exfoliant like polyhydroxy acid (PHA) or enzyme-based once a week
• Increase Vitamin C and brighteners to daily if tolerated
  

 

🧴 Suggested Sample Routine (Week 3 & 4):

 

AM

• Gentle Cleanser
• Hydrating Toner or Essence
• Niacinamide or Vitamin C
• Moisturizer
• SPF 50+

PM

• Cleanser
• Azelaic Acid or Mandelic Acid (every other night)
• Moisturizer (barrier cream or calming cream)

 

 

💡 PRO TIP:

For deep discoloration, consider a follow-up peel every 4–6 weeks until desired tone is achieved — only if skin is fully healed and stable.

What should you avoid after a chemical peel?

This means no spa days with a sauna, no sunbathing and no extreme exercise (I can definitely get behind the last point!). Sweat can irritate the skin, so keep cool until your skin’s showing signs of recovery.

When your skin starts to get dry and flaky, there’s probably nothing you’ll want to do more than grab the nearest exfoliator and rub it all off. But, drop the facial l/body scrub. Lock it away if you have to. Your skin’s (probably) just had the most extreme exfoliation of its life - it doesn’t need more. Wait at least 14 days after a chemical peel before you exfoliate to give your skin a break. For medium or deep chemical peels, the wait can be 3 weeks - listen to the fifth ‘do’ above and follow your practitioner’s instructions!

Just like you should ditch your facial/body scrub, you should also refrain from picking or peeling any loose skin (I know, it’s not easy!). This will perhaps be even harder than the no exfoliator rule. But, interfering with the skin’s natural shedding process can lead to bleeding and scarring, and that’s definitely worse than any temporary flaking.

Retinols are great skincare products for encouraging new cell growth and turnover - but your skin is already working on this once it’s had a chemical peel. Don’t send your skin into cell turnover overload - wait until it has healed before resuming your retinols. It’s also recommended that you stop using your retinol products a week before your peel.

Good chemical peel aftercare is all about the healing. Give your skin some time to repair itself before rushing into another skincare treatment - wait a minimum of 1-2 weeks. But, as always, follow your practitioner’s advice on this.

So, there we are! 10 dos and don’ts to keep in mind after a chemical peel treatment.

 

below are few products recommended to use during peels 

https://www.amazon.com/shop/royaltybeautypalace/list/1ORF4WBV2LBQC?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_m