After TCA Peel, Should I Be Moisturizing or Using Aquaphor on my Skin?

I respectfully disagree with whoever instructed you not to apply moisturizer until you are done peeling. A 20% TCA peel basically inflicts a superficial wound. Wounds heal faster and better when they are kept moist. I instruct my patients to apply a bland moisturizer (e.g. Aveeno, Cetaphil, Cerave, Eucerin) frequently (3 times daily or more) following a medium-depth chemical peel for faster healing. Aquaphor can be applied to any open sores (I prefer not to have aquaphor applied to the... more

Dear Lily: The problem with a moisturizer after a TCA 20% peel is that the skin is often so dry that a moisturizer will not cut it. A little vaseline or aquaphor are exactly what you need. Recognize that these products are not compatible with make up and are comedogenic, meaning they cause pimple or millia. Showering twice a day is also helpful. Once you no longer need the vaseline, then the millia will clear up. Typically with the TCA 20% the skin is so very dry until the old skin... more