Chemical Peel Before and After: What to Expect
Chemical peels are a popular and effective way to refresh your skin, improve texture, and address concerns like fine lines, acne, and hyperpigmentation. But if you’re considering a chemical peel, you probably want to know what happens before and after the treatment—and what results you can expect.
At Bad Skin, located in downtown Redwood City inside Sola Salons, we specialize in customized chemical peels tailored to your skin’s unique needs. We proudly serve clients from across the Bay Area, including San Mateo, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Fremont, Burlingame, Menlo Park, Santa Clara, Cupertino, San Carlos, Belmont, Foster City, Hayward, Millbrae, Daly City, South San Francisco, Los Altos, Union City, and beyond.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the full journey of a chemical peel—from preparation to the healing process and the visible transformation you can expect.
Before the Chemical Peel: Preparation Is Key
Proper preparation is essential for a successful peel and to minimize side effects:
Consultation: Your provider will evaluate your skin type and concerns to select the appropriate peel strength and formula.
Pre-treatment skincare: You may be advised to avoid sun exposure and certain skincare ingredients like retinoids and exfoliants for a week or two before your peel.
Hydration: Keep your skin well-moisturized and protected with sunscreen in the days leading up to treatment.
Expectations: Discuss what results are realistic based on your skin condition and peel type.
During the Chemical Peel
On the day of your appointment:
Your skin will be cleansed thoroughly.
The chemical peel solution is applied carefully and left on for a specific time depending on the peel’s strength.
You may feel a tingling or slight burning sensation during the process, which usually subsides quickly.
The provider will neutralize the peel and apply soothing products afterward.
After the Chemical Peel: The Healing Process
Your skin will begin to exfoliate and renew itself, but the recovery time varies based on the peel depth:
Superficial peels: Minimal redness and dryness; peeling may last 2-3 days.
Medium peels: More noticeable redness and peeling, lasting up to a week.
Deep peels: Significant peeling and downtime, often up to 2 weeks, generally done under medical supervision.
During this time:
Avoid picking or peeling the skin manually.
Use gentle moisturizers and avoid harsh products.
Sun protection is critical to prevent complications and protect new skin.
What Results Can You Expect?
Improved skin texture and tone: Smoother, brighter skin emerges as old damaged cells shed.
Reduction in pigmentation: Dark spots and uneven tone gradually fade.
Diminished fine lines and acne scars: Collagen stimulation helps firm the skin over time.
Clearer complexion: Reduced breakouts for those with acne-prone skin.
Results improve over days to weeks, with multiple sessions sometimes recommended for optimal benefits.
Before and After Photos: Real Transformations
Many clients notice visible improvements in skin clarity and radiance within a week of their peel. Deeper peels may show dramatic before-and-after changes but require more downtime.
At Bad Skin, we provide thorough consultations and follow-ups to track your progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Why Choose Bad Skin for Your Chemical Peel?
Our experienced team in Redwood City ensures your peel is safe, comfortable, and effective. We tailor every treatment to your skin type and goals, offering expert guidance before and after your peel.
Serving the Bay Area with Care
Whether you’re in San Mateo, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Fremont, Burlingame, Menlo Park, Santa Clara, Cupertino, San Carlos, Belmont, Foster City, Hayward, Millbrae, Daly City, South San Francisco, Los Altos, Union City, or nearby, Bad Skin is your trusted source for chemical peels and skin rejuvenation.
