Why does my face feel so tight and dry after a chemical peel?

Question

I saw an aesthetician on Sunday afternoon and had a progressive chemical peel. My face is just now starting to peel, but it has been feeling tight and dry since Monday morning. She gave me post-care products, including growth factor, hyaluronic, and SPF. Minutes after cleansing and applying the products, my face feels dry and tight. I feel like I splashed water on my face and left the house. Is this normal? She also told me not to apply anything but the products she gave me until the skin heals.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

This is normal reaction following Vi-Peel. It is important to use the post-treatment kit and stay away from picking your dry skin and sun exposure. The peeling process might take up to two weeks to settle when you will be able to see ultimate results. Best of luck!

Dennis Gross, MD · Answer

After most chemical peels your skin will feel tight and dry, even after an at-home peel. If you have concerns or follow up questions you should always get in touch with the professional who did your treatment. They can help put you at ease and give you additional tips on how to take care of your skin post-treatment. Make sure to keep moisturizing after a peel with a gentle moisturizer that does not have too many ingredients. Keeping skin protected after a peel is very important.  With all peels, skin can become sun sensitive afterward, why we always recommend that patients, after having a peel, avoid the sun and wear daily broad-spectrum sun protection.  For lighter peels, an over-the-counter topical broad-spectrum sunscreen works best.  For deeper, more intense peels, we recommend that patients avoid direct sun exposure for several days to two weeks.

William Marshall Guy, MD · Answer

Hello alykdesire,It is normal to feel what you are feeling after a chemical peel.  Part of the tight feeling is from the swelling and part of it from the actual treatment.  That sensation will improve with time.  I also agree to follow the instructions provided by your aesthetician.  Improper care post peel can lead to unwanted results.  If you are concerned then I'd recommend you concact your aesthetician so she can evaluate you and make sure everything is healing appropriately.  I hope this helps and good luck.

Why does my face feel so tight and dry after a chemical peel?

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