Can I start wearing makeup a day after a chemical peel?

A chemical peel can cause varying degrees of skin exfoliation. In some cases, a peel may result in compete exfoliation of the skin to the level of the dermis.
In the recovery period, it is important to maximize the rate of reepithelialization of the skin, whereby new skin is formed.
There are two problems associated with using makeup on bare skin. The first is that they may contain heavy minerals or metals, which may deposit in the dermis prior to reepithelialization and cause permanent discoloration in the future.
Second, makeup is generally non-sterile and may expose your skin to contaminants during the critical healing period.

Thank you for your question. Whether or not you can wear makeup one day after a chemical peel will depend on the depth of the peel. A light peel only affects the superficial top layer of the skin, and therefore it is probably safe to wear makeup after a light peel. Medium and deep peels penetrate deeper into the skin, dissolving away the protective outer layers and exposing healthy new skin underneath. However, that healthy new skin needs time to heal, and putting makeup on can not only irritate this delicate tissue, but also put you at a higher risk for infection. As such, I recommend that you wait at least a week before wearing makeup after a medium or deep peel. With all of that being said, you should consult with the experienced person who is performing your peel. They can give you more specific answers according to your skin and the type of peel you have chosen. Best, Dr. Verbin

It does depend on the strength of the peel. Makeup typically contains a lot of bacteria which can cause irritation and infection. Since each peel is different we suggest contacting your licensed medical aesthetican to see which peel was preformed and ask their recommendation on when you can continue using makeup.