Your question — should I use retinol after a chemical peel?

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It is best to avoid using retinol after a chemical peel as it may cause further irritation and damage to the skin. It is recommended to wait at least a week before incorporating retinol back into your skincare routine.

And now, more closely

Retinol and chemical peels are both powerful skincare treatments that can improve the appearance of the skin. However, using both together can be tricky and timing is key.

It is best to avoid using retinol after a chemical peel as it may cause further irritation and damage to the skin. The chemical peel removes the top layer of skin, leaving it more vulnerable and sensitive. Adding retinol on top of that may cause excessive redness, dryness, or peeling. It is recommended to wait at least a week before incorporating retinol back into your skincare routine.

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that is often used to improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, and unclog pores. On the other hand, chemical peels use chemicals such as alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids to exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover. Both treatments can improve the skin’s appearance, but using them together requires caution.

Noted skincare expert, Dr. Barbara Sturm, advises, “If you use retinol and have a peel or other form of typical skin irritation, the skin can become oversensitive and inflamed. Give your skin time to heal and calm down.”

In summary, it is best to wait before using retinol after a chemical peel to avoid further damage to the skin. Here is a table summarizing the key points:

Treatment	Purpose	Timing
Retinol	Improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, unclog pores	Don’t use after a peel! Wait at least a week to incorporate it back
Chemical peel	Exfoliate skin, promote cell turnover	Wait at least a week before using retinol again after a peel to avoid damage

In conclusion, incorporating both retinol and chemical peels into your skincare routine can provide excellent results. However, be mindful of the timing and consult with a dermatologist for personalized advice. As renowned aesthetician Renee Rouleau reminds us, “The goal is to get aggressive with your skin care, but not too aggressive.”

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Some additional responses to your inquiry

Avoid using retinoids, topical acne medication, and Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Acids for 5 to 7 days after your peel because they can disrupt the healing process.

After a chemical peel, it’s best to stick to a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Avoid retinol creams and heavier products with active ingredients and irritants. After a medium peel, wait about one week to resume your usual skincare routine. After a deep peel, you will have to wait longer for your skin to completely heal.

Retinol is not recommended to be applied right after a chemical peel. Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeons office for a proper treatment plan.

Try stashing it in the fridge for an even more refreshing treat. Avoid using retinoids, topical acne medication, and Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Acids for 5 to 7 days after your peel because they can disrupt the healing process.

Just stay away from anything with L-Ascorbic Acid, retinol or other powerful antioxidants that can sting your skin. If it tingled before the peel, don’t use it after! That’s it! You don’t really need anything else during the recovery period.

Any professional skin resurfacing treatments—such as chemical peels —that provide deep exfoliation should never be combined with retinol, Dr. Schlessinger said. “You should stop using any at-home exfoliating products (including retinol) at least 7-10 days prior to a chemical peel,” he advised.

Associated video

The speaker in the video provides a guide for using retinol and AHA/BHA peeling solutions in a skincare routine, recommending separate usage on different days to avoid irritation. She suggests a routine for using the peeling solution on Sunday, waiting five minutes after washing the face, thinly applying the solution for no more than 10 minutes, and rinsing it off with lukewarm water before using hydrating toner or essence and moisturizer. The retinol routine is provided for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday, with a recommended lower strength (0.2-0.5 percent) two to three times per week and gradually increasing frequency as skin tolerance builds. The speaker also provides additional skincare tips, but there is no information provided on the safety of using retinol after an AHA/BHA peeling solution.

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You will probably be interested in this

How soon after a chemical peel can you use retinol?

Response will be: Avoid using retinols and glycolic acids for 10 days post peel. Do not use scrubs, loofahs, exfoliating sponges or other means of mechanical exfoliation on your face for 7-10 days.

Can you use vitamin C or retinol after a chemical peel?

As a response to this: CHEMICAL PEEL: WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR TREATMENT
recommended. Avoid using abrasive products such as scrubs or exfoliating sponges for 7 -10 days. Avoid products such as retinols and glycolic acid 10 days. Vitamin C Serums may be resumed after 48 hours.

What not to use after a chemical peel?

The reply will be: Here are the top ten things to avoid after a chemical peel.

Picking at the skin.
Skipping sunscreen.
Letting the skin dry out.
Not applying moisturizer.
Applying too much moisturizer.
Being afraid of cold compresses.
Exfoliating.
Expecting immediate results.

Does retinol help with chemical peel?

While it’s common to use retinol alone, it can also prepare your skin to get maximum advantages from a chemical peel. It helps to make the top layer of skin thinner, so you’ll see deeper and more evenly-distributed results.

Should you use retinol before or after serum?

Response: There is no hard and fast rule about using retinol or moisturizer first. The order you apply it in depends on the actual product you’re using. Retinol can be included in all sorts of different formulas, such as retinol creams and retinol serums, and how you apply them will vary.

Is it better to moisturise after a chemical peel?

The response is: Moisturizing is an essential part of chemical peel aftercare. At the same time, though, it’s important not to over-moisturize your skin. Applying too much moisturizer can prevent the skin from actually peeling off (which is the whole point of a chemical peel, after all).

What to expect after a chemical peel treatment?

In reply to that: What To Expect After the Chemical Peel Depending upon the type of chemical peel, a reaction similar to sunburn occurs following the procedure. Peeling usually involves redness followed by scaling

Is it normal to break out after a chemical peel?

In reply to that: Peels accelerate your cell turnover, it is normal to have a purging phase when you first start treating the skin. During the beginning of the purging phase you can notice things such as breakouts and areas of pigmentation getting darker.

Should you use retinol before or after serum?

The response is: There is no hard and fast rule about using retinol or moisturizer first. The order you apply it in depends on the actual product you’re using. Retinol can be included in all sorts of different formulas, such as retinol creams and retinol serums, and how you apply them will vary.

Is it better to moisturise after a chemical peel?

Moisturizing is an essential part of chemical peel aftercare. At the same time, though, it’s important not to over-moisturize your skin. Applying too much moisturizer can prevent the skin from actually peeling off (which is the whole point of a chemical peel, after all).

What to expect after a chemical peel treatment?

What To Expect After the Chemical Peel Depending upon the type of chemical peel, a reaction similar to sunburn occurs following the procedure. Peeling usually involves redness followed by scaling

Is it normal to break out after a chemical peel?

Peels accelerate your cell turnover, it is normal to have a purging phase when you first start treating the skin. During the beginning of the purging phase you can notice things such as breakouts and areas of pigmentation getting darker.