WHAT IS POST PEEL SKIN - WHAT TO EXPECT
Chemical peeling can improve skin’s appearance by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, tightening pores, diminishing scarring and certain types of acne, lightening dark spots and smoothing texture. The specific post-peel changes in your skin—both short-term and long-term—will depend on the type of peel you undergo. Basically, there are three depths of chemical peels—superficial, medium and deep—and the deeper the peel, the more dramatic the results and the longer the healing process. However, some peels are better than others for specific conditions and skin tones, so rely on your physician for guidance. In all peels, a chemical solution is applied to the skin which loosens the ‘glue’ holding the cells together. Layers of skin are then sloughed off. The chemicals used in peels include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, trichloroacetic acid (medium-depth peels) and carbolic acid or phenol (deep peels only). After a superficial peel, skin is pink to red and may be flaky and dry for a few days. With a medium-depth peel, you will probably experience mild to significant peeling and moderate discomfort, with the possibility of mild swelling and some blisters for a week to ten days. Phenol deep peels are serious procedures, performed under sedation, and they generally require pain medication, special post-operative care and some down time from your normal schedule. For these reasons, as laser procedures have become more refined, deep peels have become less common. After a deep peel, the skin is red and swollen. New skin layers will begin to form in seven to ten days, but it may take weeks or even months for final results to be achieved. Once achieved, however, these results should last a long time.

Post Peel Home Treatment—Baby Your Skin
The doctor who administers your peel will send you home with care instructions for the early days of healing. Once this period is past, however, you’ll want to continue treating your skin carefully to fully complete the healing process and protect and maintain your results.

• Keep skin moist and soothed. Keeping post-peel skin hydrated is very important to the healing process and this may be done with petrolatum-based products immediately after a superficial peel or silicone gel sheets after a deep peel. Once these are discontinued, continue applying a moisturizer for sensitive skin several times a day for best results.
• Take measures to avoid infection, which can lead to complications including scarring.
• Protect skin from the sun every day. Without adequate sun protection, your new skin could develop blotchy, irregular coloration instead of the nice, even tone you’re aiming for. Avoiding UVA and UVB radiation will also delay the return of fine lines, sun spots and other photoaging problems for as long as possible!

Skin RX Clinic Treatments Follow the Science
Our non-soap Arnica Facial Wash is designed for highly sensitive, very dry or post-treatment skin. Arnica repairs, calms and helps in healing bruises and wounds, while aloe soothes and cools. Both ingredients are anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. Our Vital K Ampoules contain an emollient fluid rich in healing Vitamin K, hydrating squalane and natural essential oils. To provide special, soothing care to post-peel skin, our Aloe Soothing Masque contains both aloe and healing, hydrating azulene.

External Links—For More Information

• “Post peel skin care review”. microdermabrasionadvice.com
• “The Patients Guide Chemical Peels”. chemicalpeel.org
• “Chemical Peeling”. American Academy of Dermatology