Chemical Peels

Chemical peel treatments work by thoroughly cleansing your skin using an agent that removes excess oils. Your provider applies the chemical solution to your skin. Our chemical solutions typically include glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and more. As a result, each type of chemical causes a controlled injury and penetrates through to a different skin depth from the others. From there, your provider peels it away to reveal a new layer of skin.

How you get ready is important for ensuring a successful session. During your consultation, your provider will go over the pre-care process.

Before your appointment, we advise the following:

• Stop taking retinoids 2 to 4 weeks before.
• Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight for 2 to 4 weeks before.
• Do not arrive at your appointment with makeup.
• Avoid other exfoliating or harsh skincare treatments for 2 to 4 weeks before your chemical peel.

During your consultation, you should discuss any medications you take in case you need to stop taking them leading up to your appointment. Also make sure you share your medical history especially if you have a history of cold sores. Make sure that you’ve arranged a ride home if you are getting a deep peel.

It is important to recover properly from your sessions to prevent damaging your results.

After your appointment, you will want to do the following:

• Wash the skin in the treatment area with gentle, scentless soap and lukewarm water for 2 weeks.
• Avoid direct sunlight and wear SPF 30 when going outdoors for at least 2 weeks.
• Don’t expose your skin to hot tubs, saunas, swimming pools, and other environments that would irritate your skin for 2 to 4 weeks.
• Don’t pick or peel any skin that starts flaking off.
• Don’t use retinoids or other harsh skincare products for at least 2 weeks.

At McGuiness Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, we prioritize educating the patient on topics such as post-care during the consultation. Feel free to ask any other questions about how you should recover when you’re booking a session.