We’d all love to look years younger than we really are, and the most cost-effective way of doing this is via chemical peels. Not only are they far cheaper than plastic surgery, but there’s way less risk involved. A chemical peel is a great way to take years off your face – you’ll look younger and feel better with a minimum of time and effort. The most important thing you have to concern yourself with is getting the aftercare right – and that’s easy if you follow our chemical peel aftercare guide.
The after-effects of a chemical peel
A chemical peel removes the top layer of dead cells from your skin and it’s quite normal to feel some after-effects. You’ll find that your skin may be red and irritated, sore in some places and feeling dry. After a few days, you might find that it peels. The critical thing over the first few days after your peel is to treat your skin gently and take particular care when applying creams or a cold compress. Don’t rub or scrub until your skin feel completely back to normal.
Use your moisturiser
It’s normal for your skin to feel dry after a chemical peel treatment, so you’ll want to make sure you keep it well moisturised. Talk to your practitioner about using the right kind of moisturiser – you’ll want something particularly soothing and you need to make sure that it doesn’t contain any anti-ageing or anti-acne ingredients that could irritate your skin.
Stay out of the sun
Exposure to sunlight isn’t a good idea if you’ve just had a chemical peel. We would recommend that you stay indoors or in the shade for at least two weeks to give your skin the chance to fully heal without further irritation. One of the main advantages of having a chemical peel is that it can reduce the brown spots that come from too much sun exposure as we age – so don’t undo all that good work by exposing your freshly-peeled face to harsh UV light before it’s ready for it. Not only will it cause a return of the brown spots, it could also burn or irritate vulnerable skin, leading to redness and inflammation. If you do have to go outside in the sun, even on a cloudy day, make sure you use an SPF.
Keep things cool
After a chemical peel, your skin will feel sensitive and possibly irritated, so a cold compress is recommended to calm things down. Take a soft cotton cloth and dip it in some cold water, then press it gently against any affected areas, especially if they feel tight, itchy or sore. It’s also a good idea to keep your soothing skin cream in the fridge for an extra boost of coolness whenever you apply it.
A gentle skincare regime
This is essential moving forward after you’ve had a peel. Use a very gentle, sulphate-free cleansing formula and avoid skin cloths and brushes, or facial scrubs and exfoliators, that buff the surface of the skin. If you use a toner on your skin, make sure it’s alcohol free, and don’t rub it on when you apply it. Using a spray bottle to mist it onto your face is a good idea, or pat it on very gently. Take advice from your practitioner on an appropriate and gentle moisturiser. Don’t try to peel off any flaking skin, but let it come off naturally.
Once your skin has calmed down and healed, you’ll see the full benefit of your chemical peel with an amazing rejuvenated complexion – and if you’re not sure how to look after it, talk to your practitioner for more advice.
