Our professional enzyme peels are a game changer for smoother glowing skin but it’s important to take extra care post facial. Below is the 411 on post facial peel care. Booked for our Advanced Professional Retinol Peel? Check out our tips and recommendations at the bottom.

What To Do Before Your Professional Peel?

Skip the retinol or exfoliants 

To avoid sensitivity during your facial, skip the retinol or exfoliants the week before your facial so your skin will be prepped for professional exfoliation and extractions. 

Avoid excess sun exposure 

There’s nothing worse than using exfoliants on sunburnt skin. Make sure to take extra care of your skin pre and post facial to get the most benefits.

Increased sensitivity: 

Your skin might experience sensitivity or slight redness the day of, especially on sensitive skin types. If your skin does experience abnormal sensitivity, an extra calming, heavier moisturizer and upping your water intake is essential to hydrate and soothe your skin.

Facial purging:

Although it’s not the most common, some people do experience skin purges a day or two after a facial due to exfoliation that causes the skin to get rid of debris that was trapped under dead skin buildup. 

Minor flaking or peeling:

Again this is unlikely, but if it does happen a calming, heavier moisturizer and upping your water intake will be essential for the next few days. Also avoid picking at the skin to prevent hyperpigmentation from developing.

Excess sun exposure 

Your skin is more delicate after a peel, so minimize direct sunlight at least 48 hours after your facial to prevent exposing your vulnerable skin to harmful UV rays that may slow down the healing process. Make sure to apply your SPF daily to avoid sensitivity and hyperpigmentation.

Excess heat 

Skip the strenuous exercise or sweating after your facial. Your sweat can cause irritation, redness and inflammation. Opt for a long walk or yoga instead. Avoid any steam rooms/saunas prior and post facial. Increased blood circulation to the face can intensify warming, tingling, itching, redness or other uncomfortable side effects on freshly peeled skin.

Retinol or exfoliants 

Give your scrubs or exfoliators a rest for a week after your facial to avoid excess exfoliation. We recommend using gentle, hydrating products for the next 48 hours to protect your skin barrier.

Additional beauty appointments

Postpone any microneedling, dermaplaning, waxing, botox, filler or laser treatments for at least 1 week to avoid irritation.

What To Expect 

Three to seven days following the peel, slight peeling/flaking may occur. Purging may also occur (appearing as small blemishes) due to skin regeneration and migration of cells and impurities to the surface.

Tips Post Peel 

~ Avoid direct sun exposure for the next 3-7 days and apply adequate protection of SPF 30 or higher during the day. Reapply as directed.

~ Use a gentle cleanser and apply hydrating and barrier protecting products. The more hydration the better!

~ Wait 3-7 days before resuming treatment serums / masks /peel products, prescription topicals, exfoliators, or using a cleansing brush.

~ After 3-7 days once light flaking occurs, use Dr Dennis Retinol Peel Pads to help exfoliate dead skin. Always follow with heavy hydration.

~ Avoid facial waxing for 7 days following treatment and wait 2-4 weeks before receiving another treatment in this series or any other professional treatment in the same area such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or laser treatments.

An Ideal Post Care Routine:

STEP 1: GENTLE CLEANSER Moon Juice Milk Cleanse or Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser

STEP 2: HYDRATING TONER Pai Century Flower Face Mist or Agent Nateur Holy Water

STEP 3: SOOTHING MASK Pai Resurrection Girl Mask or OMAD Biocellulose Retore& Repair Serum Mask

STEP 4: CALMING SERUM Pai Instant Kalmer Serum or Pai Back To Life Hydration Serum

STEP 5: SKIN BARRIER PROTECTING MOISTURIZER Augustinus Bader Rich Cream or Lesse Essential Moisturizer

STEP 6: SPF Dr Dennis Gross SPF 50