chemical peel aftercare

​PREPARING THE SKIN:

 

You will receive a peel treatment on the day of your appointment. Please follow the outline below to prepare:

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• For best results and to reduce the risk of complications, it is recommended that you use PCA Skin daily care products 10-14 days prior to the treatment. This is not mandatory, however you should consult your skin clinician prior to your treatment to ensure you are using the correct products pre and post treatment. 

• If you are lactating, pregnant, or may be pregnant, consult your OB/GYN before receiving any treatment. 

• Do not go to a tanning bed two weeks prior to treatment. This practice should be discontinued due to the increased risk of skin cancer and signs of aging. 

• It is recommended that extended sun exposure be avoided, especially in the 10 days prior to treatment. It is recommended to delay the use of Tretinoin, Retin-A, Renova, Differin, Traorac, Avage, EpiDuo, Ziana, and high-percentage AHA and BHA products for approximately five prior to treatment. Consult your physician before temporarily discontinuing use of any prescription medications. 

 

PCA Skin superficial peels result in little-to-no downtime but create dramatic and visible results. Treatments may cause slight redness, tightness, peeling, flaking, or temporary dryness. Most patients find it unnecessary to apply makeup, as the skin will be smooth, dewy, and radiant following your treatment. If you would like to apply makeup, allow 15 minutes for the pH of the skin to stabilize before applying foundation. 

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AFTERCARE:

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For two days post-procedure:

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• Stay as cool as possible. Overheating internally can cause hyperpigmentation.

• Avoid direct sun exposure as much as possible and always use an SPF. 

• Do not put the treated area directly into a hot shower spray.

• Do not use hot tubs, steam rooms, or saunas.

• Do not go swimming.

• Do not participate in activities that would cause excessive perspiration.

• Do not use loofahs or other means of mechanical exfoliation. 

• Do not direct a hair dryer onto the treated area.

• Do not apply any water to the treated area for at least 4 hours after as it will reactivate the chemical peel. (If your treatment was done early in the day, you are able to wash your skin that night. If your treatment was done in the later half of the day, it is recommended to not wash your skin that night, and wait until the next morning to wash your skin.

• Do not apply ice or ice water to the treated area.

 

General guidelines after receiving a PCA Skin superficial treatment:

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• After receiving a PCA Skin professional treatment, you should not necessarily expect to “peel.” However, light flaking in a few localized areas for several days is typical. Most patients undergo these treatments have residual redness for approximately one to 12 hours post-procedure.

• As with all peels and treatments, it is recommended that makeup not be applied the day of the treatment, as it is ideal to allow the skin to stabilize and rest overnight; however, makeup may be applied 15 minutes after the treatment if desired. 

• To minimize side effects and maximize results, use The Post-Procedure Solution for three to five days or until flaking has resolved.

• If the skin feels tight, apply ReBalance for normal to oily skin types or Silkcoat Balm for drier skin types to moisturize as needed. For maximum hydration, you can apply Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum under ReBalance or Silkcoat Balm.

• Moisturizer should be applied at least twice a day, but can be applied more frequently for hydration and to decrease the appearance of flaking. 

• It is recommended that other topical, over-the-counter medications, or alpha hydroxy acid products not be applied to the skin seven days post-procedure, as they may cause irritation.

• It is recommended to delay use of tretinoin, Retin-A, Differin, Renova, Tazorac, Avage, EpiDuo, or Ziana five days post-procedure. Consult your physician before temporarily discontinuing use of any prescription medications. 

• Avoid direct sun exposure and excessive heat. Use sunscreen daily to protect the skin. Use a minimum of an SPF 30. 

• Do not go to a tanning bed for at least two weeks post-procedure. This practice should be discontinued due to the increased risk of skin cancer and signs of aging.

• Do not pick or pull on any loosening or peeling skin. This could potentially cause hyperpigmentation. 

• Do not have another treatment until your clinician advises you to do so. 

• Please report any questions or concerns to your specialist as soon as possible.