Chemical Peel Q&A
63%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
131 Reviews
Chemical Peelbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Chemical Peel Cost: $475

Learn about Chemical Peel

788 people and 257 doctors are talking about Chemical Peel

Get Free Email Updates

Does Your Skin Have to Be Pre-treated for a Chemical Peel?

asked 1 year ago by Chris22 in Toronto, Ontario
Latest answer by Dina D. Strachan, MD
Question viewed 233 times
Tags: preparation

or with a light/superficial peel, like glycolic or salicylic acid can you do it right away?

5 answers to Does Your Skin Have to Be Pre-treated for a Chemical Peel?

+3

Pretreating Peels

Pretreating the skin (usually with retin-A) before peels accomplishes two things: first it thins the epidermis and allows the peel to penetrate deeper and more evenly, and second it suppresses melanocyte pigment production so that the skin is less likely to hyperpigment in response to the peel.  The first part of pretreatment (thinning the epidermis) can be accomplished mechanically by dermaplaning (essentially shaving) the skin) and is integrated into immediate peels in... more
Robert Sigal, MD

Reston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin preparation prior to chemical peel

No, you do not have to do anything prior to a chemical peel.  With that being said, it also depends on what your goals.  If you have a lot of sun damage, I would recommend starting a "skin brightening" regimen approximately 4 weeks prior to peel.  3 weeks on and stop 1 week before.  This will help prep your skin so that the chemical peel can penetrate. Again, there is no right way or wrong way.  I would recommend seeing a paramedical aesthetician so... more
David V. Poole, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

No, it doesn't but....

For a light peel with glycolic or salicylic acid, you do not need to really prep.   As said before, Retin-A can be used sometimes to augment the effect of the peel. 
Brent Spencer, MD

Frisco Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Prep for a light chemical peel

These can be administered with little to no prep but Retin-A is always a reasonable adjunct. Avoidance of sun prior and subsequent to the treatment is important.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Prep for a light chemical peel?

Generally for light peels such as glycolic and salicylic acid no pre-treatment prep of the skin is necessary.
Dina D. Strachan, MD

New York Dermatologist

Ask a question