What Not to Do Before a Chemical Peel: Retinoids, Waxing, Sun Exposure, and More

5 days ago

3 min read

When patients think about getting a chemical peel, most of the attention goes to what happens after the peel.

How much will I peel? When can I wear makeup? When will I see results?

What you do before your chemical peel matters too.

A peel is a controlled treatment. I want your skin barrier to be balanced before a peel, not irritated from waxing, sunburned from the weekend, or sensitized by several exfoliating products.

There is one important detail I want to make clear from the beginning: your individual instructions may differ depending on the type of peel you are receiving.

Do Not Assume You Should Use Your Retinoid Right Up Until Your Appointment

Retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, and other retinoids affect epidermal turnover and can influence how your skin responds to a peel.

This is where internet advice can become confusing.

Retinoids are sometimes intentionally used as part of pre-peel priming under medical direction. The AAD notes that dermatologists may prescribe a pre-peel regimen before certain acne-scar peels.

However, dermatologists may also instruct patients to pause retinoids for several days before a particular peel to reduce excessive irritation. OHSU (this should be spelled out), for example, advises delaying several common Topical retinoids should be stopped for approximately five to seven days before certain superficial peels.

That is why I do not want patients creating their own pre-peel protocol.

Follow the instructions for the specific peel you are receiving.

Do Not Wax Right Before Your Peel

Waxing does more than remove hair.

It can also remove superficial skin cells and temporarily disrupt the skin barrier. Applying a chemical peeling solution to recently waxed skin may increase irritation.

Other hair-removal methods such as depilatory creams and electrolysis may also need to be paused.

Mayo Clinic advises avoiding certain hair-removal techniques for approximately a week before a chemical peel.

Plan your eyebrow, upper-lip, and facial hair removal around your peel instead of squeezing both treatments into the same week.

Do Not Show Up Sunburned

This is a big one.

A chemical peel is not the treatment to schedule immediately after a beach vacation.

Unprotected sun exposure before a peel can increase the risk of irregular pigmentation. The Mayo Clinic specifically recommends discussing acceptable sun exposure and sun protection with your physician before treatment.

This becomes particularly important when I am treating patients prone to hyperpigmentation.

Daily photoprotection is not just something we talk about after your procedure. It is part of preparing your skin appropriately beforehand.

Simmons Skin Center carries several sunscreen options, including EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 and an EltaMD UV Clear Deep Tint SPF 46 formulated for deeper skin tones.

Do Not Add a Bunch of Exfoliants

This is not the week to decide your skin needs a reset.

Scrubs, high-strength alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, exfoliating masks, and other irritating treatments may need to be stopped before your procedure.

You are not going to get a “better” peel by irritating your skin first.

You may simply make your skin more reactive.

Tell Me About Cold Sores

Certain chemical peels can trigger reactivation of herpes simplex in susceptible patients.

Depending on the procedure and your history, antiviral medication may be recommended before and after treatment.

If you have a history of cold sores, tell your dermatologist, even if you have not had one recently.

Tell Me What You Are Actually Using on Your Face

Bring the list.

Better yet, bring photos.

Prescription tretinoin. Retinol. Glycolic acid. Salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide. Brightening products. At-home peels. Scrubs. Prescription creams.

I would rather know about all of it than discover after your procedure that you were using something you did not realize mattered.

Do Not Copy Someone Else's Peel Preparation

Your friend's preparation may not be your preparation.

The correct instructions depend on the peel, your skin, the indication being treated, medications, previous procedures, history of pigment changes, and other factors.

This is particularly important for skin of color because inflammation itself can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

What About After the Peel?

Keep it simple.

Your specific instructions will depend on the peel, but this is generally not the time to pick at peeling skin or immediately restart every active ingredient you own.

Simmons Skin Center carries products intended for gentle or post-procedure care, including EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser and EltaMD Moisture Seal. Product selection should still be individualized to your skin and procedure.

A chemical peel starts before I ever apply the peeling solution.

Good preparation helps us create a more controlled treatment environment and reduce avoidable irritation.

Interested in a chemical peel for acne, hyperpigmentation, texture, or other concerns? Chemical peels are among the cosmetic services available at Simmons Skin Center. Schedule a visit so we can determine whether a peel is appropriate for your skin and give you specific pre-treatment and aftercare instructions.