10 Things to avoid after a chemical peel

A chemical peel is a powerful way to resurface and rejuvenate your skin. During the treatment, a carefully formulated solution, customized for your own skin’s needs and condition, is applied to exfoliate the top layers of skin, triggering your body’s natural cell turnover process. This can stimulate an increase in collagen production and reveal fresher, smoother, and more even-toned skin beneath.

But here’s the thing: your post-peel care is just as important as the treatment itself. To protect your results and avoid irritation, here are the 10 most important things to avoid after a chemical peel:

1. Direct Sunlight

For at least a full week, limit sun exposure. Even brief, unprotected UV contact can trigger irritation or pigmentation issues. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ (reapplied every 2 hours) and wear protective UPF clothing with wide brimmed hats.

2. Exfoliation of Any Kind

Skip physical scrubs, brushes, and chemical exfoliants like AHAs, BHAs, and retinol for at least a full week. Your skin is already in a heightened renewal phase—overdoing it can cause sensitivity and inflammation.

3. Hot Showers & Heat Exposure

Avoid hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, and any source of excessive heat for at least a week. Stick to lukewarm, instead of hot, water to protect your healing skin barrier. This also include your internal body temperature as well…avoid elevating your body temperature or flushing for a minimum of 48 hours.

4. Touching or Picking the Skin

As your skin begins to flake, resist the urge to peel or pick at it. This can lead to scarring, infection, and uneven healing. If you are experiencing sheet peeling, you can use a pair of delicate cosmetic scissors to trip edges. We then recommend using a protective hydrating balm (ask for a custom recommendation for your particular skin) to stick the edges down, making them virtually undetectable.

5. Makeup (at First)

Skip makeup for at least 24 hours. When you do reintroduce it, choose mineral-based, fragrance-free products to avoid clogging freshly renewed pores. We recommend La Bella Donna mineral powder, which is stocked in the salon for a personalized color match and your immediate purchasing convenience.

6. Pools, Hot Tubs & Chlorinated Water

Stay away from pools, hot tubs, and heavily chlorinated water for at least a week. These environments can irritate healing skin and increase your risk of infection.

7. Additional Facial Treatments

Laser treatments, waxing, microneedling, dermaplaning, or other cosmetic services should be avoided for at least two weeks to give your skin time to fully recover.

8. Harsh or Irritating Products

Set aside toners, astringents, retinols, and strong actives for now. Stick with gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers to soothe and protect your skin barrier. We love and prefer a customized selection of Epicutis products for your recovery, and offer Post-Procedure Kits for your convenience.

9. Alcohol Consumption

Avoid alcohol (topical application as well and internal alcohol consumption) for the first 24 hours as it dehydrates your skin and slows the natural healing process.

10. Smoking

Smoking constricts blood flow and slows down skin repair. Avoid it for at least a day to support healing and minimize complications.

What to Do Instead

• Protect your skin daily with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplying every 2 hours during daylight hours.

• Moisturize consistently with a gentle, fragrance-free formula. We strongly recommend Epicutis Lipid Serum followed by Hyvia Creme for most skin types.

• Stay hydrated—healthy skin starts from within. We love when clients consume clean mineralized water throughout the day to aid in hydration.

• Give your skin space to heal: less is more when it comes recovering from a Chemical Peel. Let us help you customize and minimize products to support your skin best during recovery.

Bottom line: A chemical peel jumpstarts your skin’s renewal process, but your aftercare determines your results. Be gentle, protect your barrier, and always follow your licensed esthetician’s personalized instructions.