What should I expect on the first 7 days after the peel?
Day 1: Rinse off the peel at 48 hours from your first application by Megg. Rinse with cool water. Do not apply anything else to the skin unless Megg gives you specific instructions.
Your skin will appear sunburned today and will continue to look redder as the day continues. It will begin to feel tight like you have a sunburn.
You may also experience itching or mild burning as the peel penetrates deeper into the skin, it’s NORMAL. You can help to alleviate this sensation by taking Benadryl or Zantac (for itching) and aspirin or Tylenol (for discomfort), as needed or look the recommendations above.
You will want to avoid wearing makeup or tight fitting glasses for the first day or two. Pressure from the nosepiece may cause deepening of the peel in that area.
Day 2: Your skin will continue to feel very tight. The top layers of skin are dehydrating. You will look like you have an uneven sunburn/tan. You may still feel comfortable in public today. By the end of the day your skin may begin to flake, usually starting between your eyes, around your mouth and nose. Sun-damaged spots may turn darker prior to peeling. Rinse your face with water today. Use only your hands. Cool or tepid water generally feels best. Do not use a cleanser or moisturizer. DO NOT PEEL THE SKIN. If any area is irritated,apply Recovery Balm purchased from Megg. If still irritated then you may add ceraminde cream, mild hydrocortisone cream or Aquaphor.
Day 3: Your skin will flake, peel and feel very tight today. DO NOT peel the skin at any time.
If you were to peel skin that is not ready to come off, you could cause scarring. You may carefully use manicure scissors to clip any hanging skin. Today and tomorrow you may want to avoid making social plans. Begin using a gentle cleanser today, lightening serum and a strong hydrating cream. (Megg will give you specific instructions with your skin products)
You must completely avoid the sun during this time. This is the last day you should use hydrocortisone to irritated areas.
Day 4: The majority of peeling takes place between days 3 and 4. Continue with cleansing and moisturizing. Some areas will have completely peeled and other areas may have not peeled at all. This is normal.
Day 5: Your skin will be tender for a few days. You may exfoliate the skin with a gentle scrub to remove any remaining skin that has not peeled. Continue to avoid sun exposure for the next two weeks. You may begin to wear SPF with zinc oxide.
Day 7: Results varies. Some take longer than 7 days but if you are finished with peeling, then Ease back into your skin care products. Wear sunscreen at all times.
Between week 1 and week 2: You may resume waxing, tweezing or depilatory creams during this week. By the end of the second week you should be able to tolerate glycolic, salicylic, Vitamin C, and retinol or retinoid products better. You will notice your skin is pink for about one more week, this is NORMAL.
Will my skin actually peel?
Although superficial chemical peels are effective, they are unpredictable when it comes to physical peeling. Skin that has been pre conditioned with retinoids and AHA’s are more likely to peel than skin that has not been prepped. Dry, dehydrated skin has a greater chance of peeling with the first peel than oilier skin.
How much will my skin peel?
The amount of peeling is difficult to predict. Most people get dry and flake or peel mainly around the mouth (periordally).
How bad am I going to look after the chemical peel?
Peeling isn’t necessarily a “bad look”. You have to prepare yourself that you are “burning” your epidermis to shed off to meet the goals that you & Megg have discussed previously. Yes it does look scary & puts you out of your comfort zone but it’s only temporarily. Megg recommends you to warn your spouse, partner, friends, co-workers & family what to expect before you have your peel. It is more aggravating seeing the dryness & soreness associated with the peel. Expect the skin to become more wrinkled, dark before it sheds.
How many chemical peels will I need?
It recommend 6 & more. The number of peels you need will be determined by a professional like Megg. Factors include depth of peel(s), sensitivity levels, tolerance and of course individualized skin care goals.
How often should I have a chemical peel?
A superficial peel can be performed approximately once every 3-4 weeks, depending on the depth of the peel. Be sure to allow the skin to “peel, heal and deal” before peeling again.
Is there anything I should do to prepare my chemical peel?
Discontinue using any abrasive products or methods, topical retinoids, AHA’s, BHA’s, at least 48 hours before your chemical peel.
Can I still wear make up after a chemical peel?
It would be to your best benefit to refrain from using any makeup at least 24 hours after the peel is performed. If makeup application cannot be avoided, consider rescheduling. Otherwise you may risk clogging your pores or introducing harmful bacteria to your skin.
Don’t judge a book by its cover: Just because the skin appears to look scary doesn’t mean it will look like that forever. Be patient with the healing process as the results at the end is the main goal of having this treatment in the first place. When you see the results, then you will understand why the torture is worth your investment & time. As expected,you will have some mild pain, excessive redness & sores for up to 8 days but you will HEAL! Individual tolerance level & experience varies.
