Chemical peel aftercare | Huidzorg Amstelland, Amstelveen

At a glance

Visible recovery (downtime)

Up to 7 days, depending on the peel

Depends on the strength. Light peel: only mild redness. Medium: 3 to 5 days of peeling. Strong: 5 to 7 days of peeling

Preparation: No retinol, acids or self-tanner for 3 days before
Hot showers, sauna, swimming and intense exercise: Not for the first 24 to 48 hours
Sun and sunbeds: Avoid for the first 4 weeks after the treatment
Retinol, acids and self-tanner: Use again after 1 week

Retinol, acids (such as glycolic, salicylic and lactic acid), arbutin and self-tanner are also called active ingredients. They irritate the skin. If it says "do not use", skip these products during that period. Plain, mild skincare is usually fine.

Before the treatment

Do not use products with active ingredients for 3 days before the treatment. Examples are self-tanning creams, retinol, arbutin, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid.

What to expect

What you see after a chemical peel depends strongly on the strength of the peel. After a light peel you only see mild redness. After a medium peel your skin starts to peel after 1 or 2 days, for about 3 to 5 days. After a strong peel the peeling lasts 5 to 7 days.

You may also feel irritation, tightness and a slight burning sensation after the treatment.

Are you having acne therapy? Your acne may get worse first and then improve.

Chemical peels given as a course have an interval of 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the strength of the peel.

Recovery step by step

Immediately after the treatmentMild redness, sometimes a tight or slightly burning feeling.
After 1 or 2 daysAfter a medium or strong peel your skin starts to peel. After a light peel you only have mild redness.
3 to 7 daysThe peeling lasts this long: 3 to 5 days after a medium peel, 5 to 7 days after a strong peel.

After the treatment

Avoid picking, scratching and rough rubbing of the treated area.
For the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid intense exercise, hot showers, baths and saunas.
For the first 4 weeks after the treatment, stay out of the sun as much as possible and do not use sunbeds. Use SPF 30 to 50 and reapply it every two hours. At the practice we have SPF products from Dermaceutic and Alpha-H.
Wear a cap or hat to limit sun exposure, in winter too.
Do not use products with active ingredients for the first week after the treatment (see above).

When should you contact us?

Red, warm or flaking skin is part of recovery. Contact us if you notice any of the following:

Your skin comes off in large pieces or blisters appear.
The irritation or burning feeling lasts longer than a few days.
The pain increases or persists instead of fading.
The redness or swelling increases after a few days instead of decreasing.
You see pus or yellow or green crusts, or you develop a fever. These can be signs of an infection.
Blisters or open areas appear that are not described in the recovery on your page.

Frequently asked questions

My skin is not peeling. Did the peel work?

Yes. After a light peel you only see mild redness and your skin does not peel. That is normal. Peeling belongs to a medium or strong peel.

How long will my skin peel?

After a medium peel your skin starts to peel after 1 or 2 days, for about 3 to 5 days. After a strong peel the peeling lasts 5 to 7 days.

Can I remove the peeling skin?

No. Do not pick or scratch your skin and avoid rough rubbing. Let the skin come off by itself.

My acne seems worse. Is that normal?

That can happen with acne therapy. The acne may get worse first and then improve.

When can I exercise or use a sauna again?

After 24 to 48 hours. Until then, also avoid hot showers and baths.

When can I use retinol and acids again?

Do not use products with retinol, arbutin, glycolic acid, salicylic acid or lactic acid, or self-tanner, for 3 days before the treatment and for the first week afterwards. After that you can return to your usual skincare.

How long should I stay out of the sun?

For the first 4 weeks after the treatment. Use SPF 30 to 50, reapply it every two hours and wear a cap or hat. At the practice we have SPF products from Dermaceutic and Alpha-H. You do not need to avoid the sun before the treatment. A cap or hat helps in winter too.

How often can I have a peel?

In a course there are 2 to 4 weeks between peels, depending on the strength of the peel.

When should I contact you?

If your skin comes off in large pieces, if blisters appear, or if the irritation or burning feeling lasts longer than a few days. Also contact us if the pain increases, the redness or swelling increases after a few days, or if you notice pus, yellow or green crusts or a fever. You can reach us by phone, e-mail or WhatsApp.

This is general information. If your therapist has given you different advice, follow that advice.

Aftercare for a chemical peel