How to Prepare for Your Chemical Peel

A little prep goes a long way! To help keep your skin happy and get the best results from your peel, please follow these guidelines before your appointment.

5–7 Days Before

Avoid anything that may make your skin more sensitive or compromised, including:

  • Retinoids/retinol (Retin-A, tretinoin, adapalene/Differin, etc.)

  • Exfoliating acids such as glycolic, lactic, mandelic, or salicylic acid

  • Scrubs, exfoliating pads, or cleansing brushes

  • At-home peels or other strong resurfacing treatments

  • Waxing, threading, depilatory creams, or other hair removal on the treatment area

Keep your routine gentle and focus on cleansing, moisturizing, and wearing SPF every day.

1–2 Weeks Before

Avoid excessive sun exposure and tanning. Please do not arrive with a sunburn or skin that is irritated, peeling, or compromised.

If you've recently had another professional treatment such as microneedling, laser, another chemical peel, or an injectable treatment in the area, please let me know before your appointment.

The Day of Your Peel

Come in with calm, healthy skin. You can wear your normal skincare and makeup — I'll cleanse everything off before we begin.

Please let me know before your appointment if you:

  • Have started any new medications or prescription skincare

  • Have a history of cold sores

  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Have recently experienced a rash, allergic reaction, sunburn, or unusual skin irritation

  • Have used isotretinoin/Accutane or other medications that may affect skin healing

Most importantly: Don't try to “prep” your skin by exfoliating extra beforehand. We want your skin barrier healthy and intact going into your peel.

If you're unsure whether you should stop a particular product, send me the name of it before your appointment and I'll let you know!

How to Maintain Your Spray Tan

  • Unfortunately since companies reformulate often, it’s difficult for me to consistently recommend drug store lotions, soaps, etc. that are spray tan safe.

    Instead I offer aftercare products in my salon I know will nourish your skin and prolong your tan that you can take a look at here.

    I’m also happy to give you the list of tan-stripping ingredients so you can check your at-home products.  

  • Not necessarily. Your skin can only absorb a certain amount of the tanning agent. If left on too long, this is when you may “oversaturate” and turn an unnatural color (ORANGE) eek!

    If for some reason you’re unable to rinse at your rinse time, please reach out!

  • This is normal! That initial color on you after your appointment is BRONZER and not the actual tan. It takes up to 24 hours for your tan to fully develop. So don’t worry, your tan is still developing and will come back!