How to Prepare for a Chemical Peel

If you are contemplating or have already scheduled an appointment to get a TCA (trichloro acetic acid) or AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) chemical peel, then read this article. Read and follow the steps below carefully to get lasting results from your chemical face peel.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Visit Webmd.com. Scroll the top menu to ¨Women´s Health,¨ then move down the sub-menu and choose the ¨Skin & Beauty¨ option. Now scroll the left menu and select the ¨Treatment & Care¨ option under the ¨Skin & Beauty Guide¨ heading.
2. Select the ¨Chemical Peel¨ link under the ¨Nonsurgical Treatments¨ heading. Read and review all the information carefully.
3. Ask your physician for advice. Your doctor may tell you to discontinue any medications a few days or weeks prior to the chemical peel.
4. Quit smoking or cut down as much as possible at least 30 days before your chemical peel. Nicotine hampers healing and can promote infection. Let your doctor know that you smoke before scheduling your chemical face peel.
5. Organize your work schedule ahead of time. Remember slothing and peeling occurs for the first 7 to 10 days after the chemical peel. You may want to take some time off from work to avoid embarrassment.
6. Start applying either Retin-A, a light gycolic, or AHA product to your face daily at least a week before your chemical peel appointment. This helps the penetration of the chemical peel. If you have dark skin use a product that contains both AHA and a bleaching agent to help prevent blotching.
7. Call someone you trust to accompany you to your appointment. Ask them to be available for support or in case you need them to drive you home.

Tips & Warnings

• Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest. Lack of sleep or stress weakens the immune system.
• Prepare yourself mentally for the change. People may notice a change. Decide what to tell them. Enjoy lasting results if you follow these steps carefully.
• Don´t shave, wax, bleach hairs or use hair removal creams and laser hair removal at least 3 days prior to peel. Avoid irritating your skin.