Immediately after treatment:
- Right after application of a chemical peel, the skin will sting or burn. The color of the skin after treatment will depend on the type of peel:
- If the peel contains any amount of TCA, the treated skin will be white or have a “frosted” appearance with some redness visible underneath the white
- If the peel does not contain TCA, the treated skin will be red
- Immediately after treatment with a chemical peel containing TCA, the skin looks white or “frosted” with some background redness visible through the white.3
- After treatment, the skin will be sensitive to sunlight, so it is important to avoid sun exposure.
- No dressings are necessary after treatment with a light peel.
Days and weeks after treatment:
- In the days after treatment, the skin may be red and will begin to peel (desquamation will occur).
- Peeling (desquamation) in the days following treatment with a chemical peel.
- Patients should avoid or minimize sun exposure and apply sunscreen for about 3 weeks after the treatment.
- If the skin feels dry, patients may apply moisturizing cream to the skin. Patients are also allowed to apply make-up to camouflage redness and skin peeling.
Longer term:
Skin darkening (hyperpigmentation) and redness (erythema) may continue to be present for months after treatment.