The cold, February wind in Saskatchewan means dry and dull skin. This is one of the many reasons why chemical peels are my favourite winter treatments!
As with any other facial or treatment, proper aftercare is key to making sure you’ll achieve the best possible results. If you’re considering a chemical peel in your future, or you already have your next three booked, here are some important things to consider during your aftercare.
Sunscreen
The active ingredients used in the peel solution cause your skin to be more sensitive to light and UV rays from the sun. Protecting your post-procedure skin from these factors is key. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends the use of SPF 30 or higher.
Active Ingredients
Avoid the use of active ingredients or exfoliating products unless otherwise specifically recommended by your specialist. Using strong ingredients on post-procedure skin can increase your risk of side effects and discomfort. You can continue the use of your regular skincare after the recommended one-week break after the treatment.
Skin Sensitivity
For the first day, your skin can be fairly sensitive. It’s best to avoid things like makeup, excessive sweating, hot soaks, and saunas. These can cause irritation and discomfort if done soon after your peel. Avoiding these things for at least 24 hours is recommended.
IS CLINICAL™ Recommendations
Now let’s talk about what IS recommended to do after your chemical peel.
Cleanse your skin
Continue to cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser that doesn’t have active ingredients. I recommend Zo Skin Health Gentle Cleanser or iS Clinical Cream Cleanser.
Make sure your skin is staying hydrated
Depending on the intensity of your chemical peel, you may or may not have peeling/flaking skin. I recommend using ZO Skin Health Growth Factor Serum, ZO Skin Health Hydrating Crème, or iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion.
Exfoliation For aggressive peels
With our ZO Stimulator Peel, your specialist can adjust the intensity of the peel. It can go anywhere from mild without any downtime, to aggressive with post-treatment flaking and visible shedding. In this case, I recommend very light exfoliation with a physical exfoliator.
However, if you and your specialist choose to do an aggressive peel, I recommend using ZO Skin Health’s Exfoliating Polish to help with the shedding phase. The tiny golf ball-shaped magnesium crystals are perfect for picking up the shedding skin. To make sure no irritation is caused, use this product after you wash your face. Mix a pea-sized amount of the polish with a few drops of water. Gently massage this mixture over the area with visible shedding for up to one minute. Wash off any leftover product with warm water, and of course, always be sure to moisturize afterwards!
Book today for a free consultation to see if you would be a good candidate for a Chemical Peel.
