Recognized as one of “Boston’s Most Trusted Doctors” by Boston magazine, Richard A. Bartlett, M.D. is a board certified plastic surgeon in practice for over 30 years Dr. Bartlett is considered a “doctor’s doctor,” and is a favorite choice of New England medical professionals when referring family and friends for cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Boston, Massachusetts.
A chemical peel is a skin-rejuvenation procedure where chemical solutions are applied to the face to remove the top layer or layers of the skin. The skin that re-emerges after a chemical peel is firmer and younger-looking.
Chemical peels are used to treat several skin issues, such as aging, discoloration, age spots, scars, and birthmarks on the face. Different chemical peels have different compositions depending on the requirements of the patient.
They also have variable recovery times. If you are considering a chemical peel, it will be important to understand what happens to the skin after a peel and what you’ll need to do to take care of the treatment area.
Peeling of the Skin for Up to Ten Days
Depending on the type of chemical peel that you undergo and its harshness, the healing time of the skin can differ from person to person. Usually, it takes a maximum of two weeks for the old skin to completely peel off and the new pink skin to fully appear. You should expect the skin peeling to begin from the third or the fourth day after surgery and not before that.
During this process, your skin will be inflamed and swollen. Do not do anything that could cause damage to your skin. One of the best things you can do is apply cold compresses to your face frequently, as this can bring down the swelling.
Treat Your Skin Gently
In the days following a chemical peel, your skin will need all the tender care that you can provide it. Do not use too much makeup, and do not wash your face with any facewash that has harsh chemicals and may dry out your skin. Use a gentle cleanser and a hydrating serum on your face to soothe your skin and stabilize its healing process.
In addition, because your skin will be very raw at this time, it may be prone to cuts and scrapes. Protect your skin – the slightest injury could result in extra swelling, blisters, more pain, and more time spent healing. For the best precautionary measures after a chemical peel, be sure to follow the advice from Dr. Bartlett.
Avoid Sun Exposure
One of the worst things that you can do is expose your skin to the harmful UV rays during this time. Try to stay indoors as much as possible. However, if you must go outside, make sure that you are wearing a sunscreen with maximum SPF to protect your skin.
Additionally, you should ensure that your sunscreen does not have too many chemicals in it. These may further irritate your skin instead of protecting you.
Keep Your Skin Out of the Heat
You should try to keep your skin as cool as possible during the healing process. Any overheating will irritate your skin and slow down the healing process. Do not wash your face with hot water or engage in activities that may cause you to sweat.
Contact Us to Set Up Your Consultation
When it comes to chemical peels, you’ll want to make sure you’re working with someone who is truly dedicated to providing you with the best results possible. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Richard A. Bartlett is known for his commitment to quality results. If you’re interested in learning more, contact our office to schedule a consultation today!
