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    Chemical Peels · aftercare

    Chemical Peel Aftercare: Light, Medium, and Deep Peel Recovery

    Chemical peel recovery depends on peel depth. A light glycolic peel may not visibly peel at all; a medium TCA peel will. Here's what to expect — and how to protect your results — for each level.

    Light peels (glycolic, lactic, mandelic)

    Mild tightness for 24–48 hours. Often no visible peeling. Skip retinoids and exfoliants for 5–7 days. Daily mineral SPF is essential.

    Medium peels (TCA, Jessner)

    Visible peeling starts day 3, peaks day 4–6, resolves by day 7–10. Do not pick or pull peeling skin. Use bland moisturizer and SPF 30+ exclusively until healed.

    Deep peels

    Significant downtime — 2 weeks. Performed less commonly at MedSpas and typically requires physician oversight. Strict sun avoidance is required for months.

    Universal aftercare

    No retinoids, scrubs, AHAs/BHAs, hot water, saunas, intense exercise, or direct sun exposure during peeling. Reintroduce actives only after peeling completely resolves.

    FAQ

    Do all chemical peels make you peel?+

    No. Light peels often cause no visible peeling. Medium and deep peels reliably cause visible peeling for several days.

    Can I do a chemical peel at home?+

    OTC at-home options are very low strength. Professional in-office peels use higher concentrations and require trained application — they're not interchangeable.

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