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If you’ve grown tired of spending money on store bought products that claim to work wonders but end up doing nothing, a chemical peel might be the next step for you when it comes to achieving your ideal skin goals and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels are also great for diminishing old acne scars and pigmentation issues.

At Livingston Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX, we have multiple chemical peel systems to offer our patients from the gentlest to the strongest. We also offer treatments that can complement your chemical peel like dermal fillers, Botox®, or laser resurfacing treatments provided by skilled, knowledgeable skin experts. With this in mind, let’s go over some of the most important do’s and dont’s after having a chemical peel.

What Are Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels are a non-surgical solution to freshen and rejuvenate the texture of your skin by chemically exfoliating the damaged layer. The procedure can be performed with a light, medium, or deep penetration depending on your skin concerns and your skin’s condition. Chemical peels are relatively inexpensive and require very little discomfort or recovery time.

Chemical Peels Do’s:

Some of the things you can do for your skin during the days and weeks after your chemical peel include:

• Moisturize—Keep your skin hydrated at all the times. Moisturizers also contain helpful antioxidants, that are important for post-peel recovery due to the increase in free radical production in the skin. Moisturizing will also keep your skin from becoming tight or uncomfortable during the healing process and aid in any peeling that might occur.
• Be Gentle with Your Skin—For about a week after your peel, be very gentle with how you care for your skin. Change your washcloth to a soft baby cloth or just your fingers, and only use warm water as hot water can aggravate your healing skin. Avoid thick lotions, retinoids, or harsh exfoliants in your skincare routine as these can interfere with your chemical treatment.
• Sun Exposure—Just because you’ve had a chemical peel doesn’t mean that you need to avoid the sun all together, but do keep in mind that your skin is more vulnerable to sun damage. Use an SPF sunscreen of 30 or higher whenever you go outside. If you need a recommendation for a lightweight, non-irritating sunscreen, the staff at Livingston Plastic Surgery would be happy to help you find the perfect one to fit your routine.
• Eat Healthy and Drink Plenty of Water—It’s true that your body can only perform as well as the fuel you provide it. Your body can’t heal and produce important new cell growth if you’re not fueling it correctly. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and fiber to ensure that your body is working in top condition. In addition to feeding it well, make sure that you’re also hydrating your body from within by consuming plenty of water throughout the day.

Chemical Peel Don’ts:

• Don’t Do Too Much—Keeping your skin clean and moist are the most important things that you should focus on during your recovery unless otherwise specified by your provider. If your normal skincare routine involves 5 or 6 steps, simplify it to just a gentle cleanser and plenty of moisturizer until your skin is fully healed.
• Don’t Exfoliate—It can be tempting after a chemical peel to self-exfoliate, but it’s important that you resist this. The skin will shed itself naturally. Adding scrubs or more chemical acids can do more harm than good.
• Picking or Peeling—Again, we know how tempting it can be to peel and pick the dead flaking skin from off your face, but it’s important that you allow this layer to fall off naturally. Picking or peeling before the skin is ready to fall off can lead to scabbing and scarring.

Schedule Your Houston Chemical Peel at Livingston Plastic Surgery

Are you ready to start your journey toward healthy, radiant skin? To learn more about what a chemical peel at Livingston Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX can do for you, schedule your evaluation with Dr. Chris Livingston by calling (281) 501-1812 or contact us through our website portal today!