How to Clean Your Face Between Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are used for a variety of reasons from reducing scars to removing small imperfections. Special cleansing of your face should begin two to three weeks before the chemical peel in preparation of the treatment. A daily cleanser should be used twice a day followed by a moisturizer, and possibly an acne medication cream such as Retin-A, or Proactiv Solution. This is very important for removing dirt, toxins, and cosmetics, and to promote skin health. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Gentle skin cleanser or cleanser recommended by your doctor
- Gentle moisturizer like Cetaphil or Vaseline
- Facial loofah or puff (optional)
- Acne medication such as Retin-A 0.1%, or Proactiv Solution
- Soft towel
Instructions
-
-
1
Run the tap until you reach a comfortable warm temperature.
-
2
Wet the facial puff or loofah if you choose to use one.
-
-
3
Squeeze a small amount of cleanser on the loofah, puff, or your clean fingertips.
-
4
Wash your face beginning with the cheeks. Move in a circular motion. Go over your nose, follow your jaw line to your chin, and then wash your forehead and temples. Do not get any cleanser in your eyes.
-
5
Rinse thoroughly with warm, not hot, water.
-
6
Pat your face dry with the soft towel. Do not rub.
-
7
Squeeze a small amount of moisturizer onto your fingertips.
-
8
Using your pointer and middle fingers, dot your cheeks, forehead, and chin with the moisturizer.
-
9
Rub softly in a circular motion until there is no moisturizer left visible.
-
10
Follow with a light cover of acne medication. If it's alcohol based, consider applying it before the moisturizer.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Do not use soaps. Soaps will dry out the skin unnecessarily. Use a pH balanced-cleanser geared toward your skin type. Gentle cleansers applied by fingertips are a must within 5 days after a chemical peel. After 5 days, a soft loofah may be used.
Your skin is very sensitive after a chemical peel and all instructions from your doctor must be followed to avoid unnecessary scarring or marking. Your doctor may recommend tretinoin moisturizing cream for you to use at night for anywhere from two to three weeks post chemical peel.
Regular toners are not recommended for use because the alcohol content can be harsh to your skin and dry it out.
Do not get moisturizer or cleanser in your eyes or mouth. If this does occur, flush with water until the burning stops. When using a medicated cleanser or moisturizer, call poison control immediately if it gets in your eyes or is ingested in any way. Keep all medications out of reach of children and household pets.
