Are you interested in getting a chemical peel but aren’t sure what to expect? This post is sharing everything you need to know before and after a chemical peel…plus photos of my face throughout the peeling process. (All of these photos are taken without makeup – to give you the best idea of what my skin looks like.) WARNING: some of these peeling photos are rather nasty.
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What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is when a chemical solution is applied to your skin that causes it to exfoliate and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and far healthier looking than the old skin. It’s used to help treat acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, etc.
It’s worth noting that many aestheticians recommend you get more than one chemical peel to achieve optimal results. Some places will sell them in sets of 3 for this reason. (This is what I used to do.) The condition my skin is currently in, it was recommended I receive 2 within a 1-month time span (which I did.)
” data-image-caption=”” data-medium-file=”https://i2.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-3738349-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i2.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-3738349-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-44519″ src=”https://i2.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-3738349-1024×683.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ alt=”Before and After a Chemical Peel: What to Expect + Photos” width=”1024″ height=”683″ data-pin-description=”Before and After a Chemical Peel: What to Expect + Photos” srcset=”https://i2.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-3738349-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-3738349-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-3738349-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i2.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-3738349-scaled.jpg?w=2048&ssl=1 2048w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” data-recalc-dims=”1″ />
Before I jump into the whole chemical peel process, I want to briefly explain my background with chemical peels, and the issues I have had with my skin over the years. If you would rather just learn about the chemical peel, scroll to the “what to expect when getting a chemical peel” section.
Why I Started Getting Chemical Peels & Why I Stopped
I used to get chemical peels on a fairly regular basis 7+ years ago. My skin at this time was in rough shape. I was dealing with cystic acne, hyperpigmentation, blackheads and whiteheads. I was doing everything I could to try to stop the acne I had.
Chemical peels were helping my skin the most out of anything I had tried previously. The amount of acne on my face was decreasing as was my scarring.
Eventually, I stopped doing chemical peels because it was getting too expensive to continue getting them at the frequency I needed to maintain my problematic skin. Plus, I absolutely HATED the downtime that came after a chemical peel. My skin would look absolutely terrifying for a week after I had one. (And I was working with elementary school kids at the time, who have millions of questions about why my face looked weird for a few days, haha.)
I then went to my dermatologist for help. He prescribed taking a combination of doxycycline (oral antibiotic) and clindamycin (a topical cream). He also helped me figure out some foods that were triggering breakouts (it’s mainly junk foods, especially refined sugars). I modified my diet and used these prescriptions for over a year before my acne subsided.
My skin without makeup before I received my 1st chemical peel in 7+ years.
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Why I’m Getting Chemical Peels Again
My skin is a thousand times healthier now than it was over 7 years ago, but it’s far from perfect. I do still get hormonal breakouts, tons of blackheads and also milia. I also have a little leftover acne scarring.
Now seemed like the best time ever to get a chemical peel again! This is because I’m hardly leaving my house and when I do, more than half my face is covered in a mask. So, if I’m going to deal with the downtime that comes with a chemical peel – this is is the perfect time to do it!
” data-image-caption=”Photo of where my chemical peel took place at Ahava Salon in Appleton, Wisconsin.
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_9971.jpeg?fit=300%2C196&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_9971.jpeg?fit=1024%2C667&ssl=1″ class=”size-large wp-image-44494″ src=”https://i2.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_9971-1024×667.jpeg?resize=1024%2C667&ssl=1″ alt=”Beauty spa table photo by Ahava Salon in Appleton, Wisconsin” width=”1024″ height=”667″ data-pin-description=”Beauty spa table photo by Ahava Salon in Appleton, Wisconsin” srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_9971.jpeg?resize=1024%2C667&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_9971.jpeg?resize=300%2C196&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_9971.jpeg?w=1114&ssl=1 1114w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” data-recalc-dims=”1″ />Photo of where my chemical peel took place at Ahava Salon in Appleton, Wisconsin.
I scheduled my chemical peels at the salon I have been going to since I moved back home last fall – Ahava Salon & Spa in Appleton, Wisconsin. I’ve been going to them for all my hair and beauty treatments for the last year. (They do a great job!) I did their PCA chemical peels.
What to Expect When Getting a Chemical Peel
The peel itself isn’t all that bad and takes less than an hour to complete, typically. You’ll discuss your skin conditions with your aesthetician, fill out some forms and then get comfortable.
Your aesthetician will cleanse your face and then apply the first layer of the treatment and allow it to sit. They’ll ask you if you’re feeling any pain. (I only felt a slight tingling at this stage.)
Then, they will likely apply one more layer. This will likely feel more tingly than the previous application.
Depending on how your skin is feeling and reacting, they may apply one more layer. (I have never had more than 3 layers of treatment applied at one time, as my skin gets quite irritated by the third application.)
Then, some moisturizer and sunscreen will be applied.
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” data-image-caption=”” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMGL0985-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMGL0985-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-44473″ src=”https://i2.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMGL0985-1024×683.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ alt=”PCA post chemical peel product kit that I highly recommend buying for after a chemical peel” width=”1024″ height=”683″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMGL0985-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMGL0985-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMGL0985-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/www.sahib.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMGL0985-scaled.jpg?w=2048&ssl=1 2048w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” data-recalc-dims=”1″ />
My aesthetician recommended purchasing the Post-Procedure Solution Kit by PCA Skin to use for my at-home treatment. I am REALLY happy she suggested this. The kit did a great job of helping my skin heal quicker. It also helped with some of the discomfort of having dry/peeling/itchy skin for a few days (more on that in a second).
Plus, I could reapply the creams throughout the day when my skin started to feel dry & tight, and it never got too oily or icky looking. (I remember in the past I would apply my normal moisturizer throughout the day and my skin would be an oily disaster by the end of the day.)
I used this PCA kit + Annmarie Rosemary Toning Mist throughout the 7 day recovery period. (I just like the way that toner makes my skin feel!)
