I did a retinol 20% peel and after it peeled off, my skin is very red. How can I treat the redness?

Question

The peel did seem to even out my skin tone but now I've got a large red circle area. What can I do to remove the redness? I have been putting Cortison 1% and aloe vera but is there something better?

Adam E. Singleton, MD · Answer

Hi!Redness after a chemical peel is to be expected, however the length of time the redness persists is dependent on a couple of factors - the type and strength of the peel, your skin type, etc... Gentle cleansing with a mild face wash, moisturizer and sunscreen are the three most important parts to healing after chemical peeling. You should speak with your provided prior to using any sort of medication to treat the redness, and for redness that persists for an extended period of time, definitely reach out to your provider.
Best - Dr. Singleton

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Depending on the type and strength of a peel, a patient should expect to get some redness, swelling, crusting and peeling. We do a lot of aggressive TCA peels (35-50%), and the patients have about 1-2 weeks of redness, swelling, crusting and peeling, followed by several weeks of redness. We have a very detailed skincare regimen for after the peel to minimize the redness and peeling, and to help with healing. Our regimen includes intense moisturization, complete sun avoidance, and telling patients never to pick at peeled skin. The redness will fade with time, it is just that it can take several weeks to months depending on the skin type of the patient and the type of peel. Keep up your moisturizing (hydrating) with bland emollients and stay out of the sun. Best of luck!

I did a retinol 20% peel and after it peeled off, my skin is very red. How can I treat the redness?

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Chemical Peel

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I did a retinol 20% peel and after it peeled off, my skin is very red. How can I treat the redness?

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Chemical Peel

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.