Prepare Skin for a Chemical Peel

A chemical peel is an effective way to rejuvenate the skin, remove minor imperfections like wrinkles and scars, and achieve a younger-looking complexion. Chemical peels essentially strip away the outer layers of skin to allow smoother, younger-looking skin to grow in its place.[1] The procedure typically targets one of three skin depths: a light peel removes the epidermis, a medium peel removes skin down to the dermis, and a deep peel works down to the lower layers of dermis.[2] Many peels do not require any significant preparation, but some require a skin care regimen leading up to the day of the peel.[3] Knowing how to prepare for your chemical peel can help you ensure a successful treatment session.

Steps

Avoiding Skin Stress Before Treatment

  1. Refrain from any other chemical peels. In the two weeks leading up to a chemical peel, it is imperative that you refrain from having any other chemical peel treatments. If it has been less than two weeks since your last chemical peel, you should wait until at least 14 days have passed.[4]
  2. Avoid microdermabrasion treatments. Microdermabrasion treatments work similar to chemical peels, except this treatment uses a gentle abrasive tool to peel off the outer layer of skin.[5] If you are planning on having a chemical peel performed, you should avoid having a microdermabrasion treatment for at least 14 days before the procedure.[4]
  3. Cut out tanning booths. Tanning, including the use of artificial UV radiation in tanning booths, can cause significant damage to the skin.[6] For this reason, it is imperative that anyone planning on having a chemical peel avoid tanning for at least two to three weeks before the treatment.[4]
  4. Limit sun exposure. While you should not engage in tanning for two to three weeks before a chemical peel, you should also limit all sun exposure for at least ten days before the treatment.[4]
    • If you must be in the sun for any duration of time in the two to three weeks before a treatment, you should wear sunscreen and try to limit your time outdoors as much as possible.[7]
  5. Be gentle on your skin. As you prepare for a chemical peel, you will need to refrain from waxing your skin or using chemical depilatory (hair removal) treatments for at least five to seven days before treatment.[4] You should also avoid all chemical injection treatments, including Botox and collagen injections, for at least one week before the treatment.[4]

Preparing Your Skin

  1. Take antiviral medication as needed. Some people preparing for a chemical peel will not need to take antiviral medication. However, if you have a history of herpes infections on or around your mouth, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication for you to take before and after the treatment.[8]
    • Acyclovir (Zovirax) is a common antiviral medication used to prevent cold sore/herpes outbreaks prior to a chemical peel. Acyclovir is typically taken for between two days and one week before the treatment and up to two weeks after the treatment.[9] This medication is commonly dosed at 200 mg five times each day.[7]
    • Valacyclovir is another common antiviral medication. It is typically dosed at one gram three times daily. Valacyclovir should be taken for at least two days before the treatment and for 10 to 14 days after the treatment.[7]
  2. Apply prescribed lotions. Depending on the depth of chemical peel you will be undergoing, your doctor may recommend that you use a moisturizing and healing lotion on your skin before the treatment.
    • Glycolic acid lotion is typically recommended for light chemical peels. This lotion is used for two weeks before the treatment to help ensure that your skin peels uniformly and heals more easily.[8]
    • A retinoid cream like tretinoin or Retin-A is used for light or medium chemical peels to help shorten the duration of your treatment and speed up the healing process.[8] Retinoid use is typically discontinued three days before the treatment.[7]
  3. Use a bleaching agent. Depending on your skin complexion, your doctor may recommend the use of a bleaching agent like hydroquinone, especially in conjunction with a retinoid cream like tretinoin. Using a bleaching agent before treatment can help prevent your skin from darkening during the treatment.[8]
    • Hydroquinone (skin bleaching) is most commonly recommended for people with darker skin complexions to prepare for a chemical peel.[9]
    • You will most likely be instructed to discontinue the use of bleaching products for at least one week before the treatment.[7]
  4. Learn about medication interactions. Depending on what medications your are currently taking, your doctor may recommend that you discontinue some of those medications before undergoing your chemical peel.[10] The most common medications that must be discontinued before treatment are photosensitizing drugs, which increase your sensitivity to sunlight and may cause inflammation after exposure to sunlight.[7] Common photosensitizing drugs include:
    • antihistamines[11]
    • coal tar and coal tar derivatives[11]
    • certain contraceptives (birth control pills and female sex hormones)[11]
    • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs[11]
    • phenothiazines (tranquilizers)[11]
    • psoralens[11]
    • sulfonamides (antimicrobials)[11]
    • sulfonylureas (oral diabetes medications)[11]
    • thiazide diuretics (water pills)[11]
    • tetracyclines (antibiotics)[11]
    • tricyclic antidepressants[11]

Going In for the Procedure

  1. Avoid smoking. If you are a smoker, you will most likely need to discontinue smoking well in advance of your procedure.[12] Talk to your doctor about when to quit and how to follow through on your plan to quit smoking.
  2. Take antibiotics. If your doctor has recommended that you take antibiotics before having a chemical peel, you should begin taking those at least 24 hours before the procedure. If you are required to take antiviral medication, you should also be taking that medication for at least 24 hours before your treatment.[10]
  3. Learn if you have medical allergies. Some patients undergoing a deep-tissue chemical peel will be required to undergo sedation before the procedure. If you have any known allergies to sedatives or pain medications, you should let your doctor know right away to avoid any potential drug allergies.[12]
  4. Arrange for a ride home. If you are undergoing a deep-tissue chemical peel, you may be required to undergo sedation in order to effectively penetrate to deeper skin depths. If you know you will be undergoing sedation during your procedure, arrange for a ride home ahead of time, as you will not be able to drive home after sedation.[8]

Warnings

  • Keep in mind that a chemical peel should be done by a certified person, preferably a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or other medical doctor with specific training in the procedure, especially if the peel you are having done is medium or deep. There are risks to the procedure and only an experienced and qualified person can properly advise if a chemical peel is a good choice for you and they should know your medical history before the procedure as well.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemical-peel/basics/definition/prc-20023436
  2. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemical-peel/basics/why-its-done/prc-20023436
  3. ↑ http://illuminateskinclinic.co.uk/treatments/chemical-peels/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 http://www.rothesaylaser.com/chemicalpeels.php
  5. ↑ http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/microdermabrasion.html
  6. ↑ http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/faqs/tanningbooths.html
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3047741/
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemical-peel/basics/how-you-prepare/prc-20023436
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://www.medicinenet.com/chemical_peel/page3.htm#how_does_one_prepare_for_a_chemical_peel
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments_and_procedures/hic_Chemical_Peels
  11. ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/SurgicalandTherapeutic/UCM135813.pdf
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 http://my.clevelandclinic.org/cosmetic-plastic-surgery/procedures/facial-resurfacing/chemical-peels
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