How to Prepare Skin for a Chemical Peel

Last Updated: January 18, 2022 References

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]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} 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]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Many peels do not require any significant preparation, but some require a skin care regimen leading up to the day of the peel. Knowing how to prepare for your chemical peel can help you ensure a successful treatment session.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

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.
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.^{[3]
X
Research source} 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.

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3
Cut out tanning booths. Tanning, including the use of artificial UV radiation in tanning booths, can cause significant damage to the skin.^{[4]
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Research source} 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
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.
- 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.^{[5]
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  PubMed Central
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- To lessen your exposure to the sun, it can be helpful to schedule your chemical peel for the fall or winter, when the sun's rays aren't as strong.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Aanand Geria, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 8 July 2020.}
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. You should also avoid all chemical injection treatments, including Botox and collagen injections, for at least one week before the treatment.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

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.^{[7]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- 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.^{[8]
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  Research source} This medication is commonly dosed at 200 mg five times each day.^{[9]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- 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.^{[10]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
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.^{[11]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- 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.^{[12]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source} Retinoid use is typically discontinued three days before the treatment.^{[13]
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  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
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.^{[14]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Hydroquinone (skin bleaching) is most commonly recommended for people with darker skin complexions to prepare for a chemical peel.^{[15]
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  Research source}
- You will most likely be instructed to discontinue the use of bleaching products for at least one week before the treatment.^{[16]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
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.^{[17]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} 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.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Common photosensitizing drugs include:
- antihistamines^{[19]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
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  Go to source}
- coal tar and coal tar derivatives^{[20]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
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- certain contraceptives (birth control pills and female sex hormones)^{[21]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs^{[22]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- phenothiazines (tranquilizers)^{[23]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- psoralens^{[24]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- sulfonamides (antimicrobials)^{[25]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- sulfonylureas (oral diabetes medications)^{[26]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- thiazide diuretics (water pills)^{[27]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- tetracyclines (antibiotics)^{[28]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- tricyclic antidepressants^{[29]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

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.^{[30]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} 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.^{[31]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
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.^{[32]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
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.^{[33]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Question

Why does my skin look worse after a chemical peel?

Aanand Geria, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Aanand Geria is a board certified dermatologist, a clinical instructor at Mt. Sinai, and the owner of Geria Dermatology based in Rutherford, New Jersey. Dr. Geria's work has been featured in Allure, The Zoe Report, NewBeauty, and Fashionista, and he has peer-reviewed work for the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Cutis, and Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. He holds a BS from the Penn State University and an MD from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Geria then finished an internship at Lehigh Valley Health Network and a dermatology residency at the Howard University College of Medicine.

Aanand Geria, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

You may notice your skin peeling for a couple of days after the procedure. This is normal, and isn't anything to worry about.
Question

What should I avoid before getting a chemical peel?

Aanand Geria, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Aanand Geria is a board certified dermatologist, a clinical instructor at Mt. Sinai, and the owner of Geria Dermatology based in Rutherford, New Jersey. Dr. Geria's work has been featured in Allure, The Zoe Report, NewBeauty, and Fashionista, and he has peer-reviewed work for the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Cutis, and Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. He holds a BS from the Penn State University and an MD from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Geria then finished an internship at Lehigh Valley Health Network and a dermatology residency at the Howard University College of Medicine.

Aanand Geria, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Avoid using products with ingredients like glycolic acid or retinol for about 5-7 days before you get a chemical peel. These can irritate your skin, which could lead to burns or hyperpigmentation.

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.

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