What does skin look and feel like after peeling of chemical peel? It looks pink and raw. Is it normal? (Photo)

Question

On 3rd august i just did at 12% fruit (chemical) peel on my legs. Skin felt dry and itchy , some area starts to flake and as i wasn't aware of the after care, i went to peel the flaking skin and my skin looks pink, smooth and rather raw. (As shown in the attached picture) does that look normal to you ? Or is there a complication? Will it cause further scarring Or is that just part of the normal process of healing? Please help!

Christopher Costa, MD, MPH · Answer

What you are describing sounds very standard for a peel*.  Peels eliminate the top layers of skin and help promote collagen and formation of the skin thus making it look younger.  It is not uncommon at 3-5 days after a peel to have a pink sunburn appearance.  For aftercare a thin layer of moisturizer once a day followed by sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher should be all you need.  
Disclaimer* - photos can be deceiving and the response to this question is not medical advice.  If you have concerns you should go to be seen by a physician in person so that they can evaluate you to make sure you are not developing a complication.

Eric Shreder, DO, MS · Answer

Hi, your legs appears to show a "normal" post peel appearance which should fade over time. Remember, a peel causes a "controlled injury" which at the beginning is "inflammatory." Didn't you receive a "post-procedure protocol?" At this point, I would use a weak hydrocortisone 1% cream on the red areas twice daily for a week, and extreme sun protection (SPF 30 or greater). The legs should recover just fine. Next time - ask for the post treatment protocol! Good luck, Dr Eric Shreder - Full Circle Wellness

What does skin look and feel like after peeling of chemical peel? It looks pink and raw. Is it normal? (Photo)

Answers (2)