Before a peel, you should have a consultation with the esthetician or physician. You should complete a client history, which will include recent skin care procedures, current medications, allergies, etc. These things can avoid complications later on by giving your esthetician or physician some insight to know whether you are a candidate for a peel. Understand that everyone is not a candidate for chemical peeling nor is chemical peeling an anti-aging panacea.
For best results, for several weeks before and after a peel, you should avoid sun exposure, strong scrubs and masks, self-tanners, waxing, bleaching and excessive tweezing. For a couple of days after a peel you should avoid getting the body too hot particularly by exercise. Heating up the body a day or two after a peel can reactivate the peel causing a deeper peel than intended. Avoid scratching or peeling your skin, limit exercise the first week, drink plenty of water, use moisturizer, stay out of the sun and/or use an antioxidant sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, and have a realistic expectation of the healing process.
Expect, to varying degrees, increased sun sensitivity, redness and possibly some dry skin. With deeper peels there can be some swelling and scabbing, and peeling. It is vital to use sun protection that includes chemical and physical blockers as well as antioxidants that should be provided in the at home skin care products. Sunscreens should be applied no less than every 30 to 90 minutes during the day. You should never go out, even on a cloudy day, without sun protection.
