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.

The fact is that any form of lip trauma, in the form of scratch, burn, or bruise can trigger a cold sore. More specifically, I have seen patients have cold sores after injectables, chemical peels, laser treatments, Dermabrasion, etc. I generally pre-treat any patient having a skin resurfacing procedure with anti-viral medication (Valtrex, etc.) to minimize occurrences.

Yes, one can have a breakout of their cold sores with any skin resurfacing, such as lasers, chemical peels, or dermabrasion. Cold sores are due to a virus, and may come out during times of stress or skin treatment.
Any skin resurfacing treatment (laser, peel, or dermabrasion) has a preparation guide and post-treatment guide provided by your cosmetic specialist or dermatologist. To reduce the incidence of cold sore eruption, your aesthetic specialist will provide antiviral medication prior to treatment, which may also continue after treatment.
Best of luck.

Hi there-
Yes, if you carry the virus that causes cold sores it is possible, but not certain, that you will develop them after having a chemical peel.
Make your Aesthetician aware of this concern and typically if the problem develops a prescription for an anti-viral medication can be prescribed for you.
If it seems that you develop them with each peel it is a good idea to take the anti-viral for 3 days- the day prior to your treatment, the day of and the day following. This can work to prevent the lesions from developing at all.
Not everyone will have this reaction however, even if they are prone to having cold sores

Any kind of chemical peel, e.g. salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel or laser resurfacing, should be performed under supervision of board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Prophylactic administration of antiviral medication such as acyclovir, valcyclovir or famciclovir is important, particularly for those with prior history of cold sores as the herpes virus can be scattered to the entire treated area and if not intervened appropriately, can lead to scarring, pigmentation.

Yes, it's possible to get a cold sore from chemical peels. If you have a recent history of cold sores and are considering a package of peels, you may want to get a prescription for a maintenance dose of acyclovir (or equal) from your practitioner.
Alternatively, it's possible to avoid the area immediately around the mouth to avoid causing a breakout.

YES...anything that causes "stress", including a chemical facial peel, can cause an eruption of a cold sore. This actually can be fairly devastating as the viral infection can spread to other areas of the face. I recommend patients, even if they are not frequently bothered by cold sores, take a prophylactic antiviral oral medicine prior to a chemical or laser resurfacing of the face.
Speak with you Board Certified Plastic Surgeon prior to proceeding for definitive directions.
Good Luck!
Dr. C

If you have a history of cold sores/fever blisters, it would be very wise to have a prescription such as Valtrex before a chemical peel or an invasive laser procedure.  Please advise your physician of this. It's important to start a few days prior to a peel or ablative laser as a preventative measure.

Our center performs a variety of chemical peels to reduce hyperpigmentation, fine wrinkles, and to restore overall skin health to the face. If you have a history of cold sores, it is imperative that you begin a prophylactic course of antiviral tablets before your procedure. The cold sores can occur immediately after your procedure and in some cases, can compromise the results.
It is partially your responsiblity as a patient to ensure that your physician is aware of your history of cold sores before beginning any laser, chemical peel, or non-invasive skin treatment.