Can I Start Wearing Makeup a Day After a Chemical Peel?

Medium and deep depth peels are great ways to treat skin discoloration and fine wrinkles. They work by removing the outer layers of skin. It is important that you give your skin time to heal. In my San Francisco practice we typically wait 7-10 days before allowing make-up to minimize the risk of scars and infection. An additional part that is VERY important especially for deeper peels is when you begin using make-up again look for make-up that has sun screen in it. (Sunscreen should... more

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... more

This is a common question with chemical peels, or any laser resurfacing procedure for wrinkle reduction. The answer largely depends on the depth of the chemical peel and the rate at which your skin heals following the cosmetic procedure. You want to minimize skin irritation after any peel or resufacing procedure. Lunchtime peels are generally very superficial peels, such as low strength glycolic acid. One may be able to start wearing makeup the next day. With deeper peels, your cosmetic... more

The "lunchtime peel" usually presents no problem. After any peel, you want to minimize irritation to the skin, so tread lightly. With more aggressive or deeper peels, your provider will usually provide or recommend a suitable topical designed to optimize your outcome. This is part of the education he or she should be giving you when you enlist their services.

Lighter chemical peels such as the Vi-Peel, or lower-strength Glycolic Acid or TCA peels, cause minimal skin exfoliation. After these types of chemical peels, patients may apply make-up, preferably with a sunscreen, as soon as the next day. Deeper TCA Peels, or Phenol Peels, generally cause a greater degree and more prolonged exfoliation. For these types of peels, it is important to allow the skin to exfoliate and regenerate more completely, before applying make-up. Ask your surgeon or... more

For mild peels such as 15% glycolic or salicylic acis, mineral makeup if fine.Mineral makeup desn't have any chemicals or preservatives and won't cause any irritation to the skin. Most of the mineral makeup brands also have SPF 15-18.That will give you some extra protection but you should still have you sunscreen every day. Forr deeper and more aggressive chemical peels you should consult your doctor when is safe to apply makeup.

Hello, Stronger chemical or laser peels damage the skin more deeply clearing away the wrinkles and pigment more completely and requiring more healing time. Very light chemical peels allow the patients to wear make-up within a few hours, but do less to change the skin. With peels it is usually a question of downtime/depth versus results. Greater improvements usually come with longer downtime. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD

There are many different types of chemical peels. All peels are irritating to the skin. You do not want to cause excessive irritation as it may deepen the level of the peel or cause adverse effects such as hyperpigmentation. or delayed healing. Ask you physician for advise and follow the instructions to ensure your best overall result and uneventful recovery

You can wear makeup after most chemical peels but be careful not to irritate the skin by rubbing the makeup on or taking it off too aggressively. The irritation can cause hyperpigmentation or discolorations which may need additional peels or bleaching creams to resolve it. You should always have a cortisone cream available after a chemical peel to calm down any irritated red skin and wear a sunscreen as well. Sincerely, David Hansen,MD