Can a Chemical Peel Cause a Cold Sore?

Any trauma (including laser or peels) can cause reactivation of cold sores. It is important that your plastic surgeon or dermatologist take a complete history including whether you have had cold sores.
If you have you may be at increased risk for reactivation. Typically medications can be started prior to your treatments that will minimize the chance of reactivation.
I hope this helps!

Steven Williams, MD

Peels can cause cold sore
outbreaks. It is important to not get a
chemical peel while you have an active cold sore outbreak, as this will cause the
virus to spread.
It also depends on how often you get cold sores. If you’ve had a minimal
number of breakouts in your life then you not get one but if you suffer from breakouts on a regular basis then you most likely will
get a cold sore. Your doctor can
prescribe an antiviral medication you can take to minimize the chances of an
outbreak. Its important you go to
a medical clinic to have these peels performed, especially with your history of
cold sores.

A chemical peel can cause a reactivation of the herpes virus that leads to cold sores. Some 90% of people are infected or have been infected by the Herpes Virus simplex 1 that cause oral herpes. Chemical peels, resurfacing, dermabrasion all stimulate the skin that can reactivate the virus that usually resides in the sensory nerves (dorsal ganglion).
These peels or procedures stimulate the nerves, decrease barriers and active the virus to come down the nerves to the cause the cold sores. They don't actually lead to a new infection, they just reactivate the virus that has been there since childhood. Usually if the peel is more than superficial, I will prescribe acyclovir, or vacyclovir as prophylaxis. I don't always do that for superficial peels like glycolic, low strenght tricholoracetic acid, or jessner peels, etc. Laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, and medium to deep depth chemical peels usually require prophylaxis.