There is this funny little myth we hear frequently during skin consultations, “I could never get a chemical peel in the summer”. Well, truth is … you can! I did! I am writing this just 6 days after a 15% TCA peel. Even crazier, I did it 2 days BEFORE a big outside Holiday – the 4th of July.
Guess what? I survived and my skin is loving me for it. How did I do it you may ask? Very easily. Follow aftercare protocol, invest in a great physical SPF (I can’t live a day without my Colorescience Brush On SPF 50) and stay in the shade. I went out on the boat, went to a picnic with my kids all during my immediate aftercare of the chemical peel. I wore a hat, applied & reapplied SPF, stayed under every canvas shade I could find and was honest with all my friends. Good skin care shouldn’t be something we are embarrassed or ashamed of. I didn’t hear any negative comments or crazy responses. All it did was spark interest and questions.
Ok, so now that you know you can get a chemical peel any time of the year here is what I experienced:
That night – After the “frosting” went away I was slightly red, basically just like a light sunburn. Other than having a little bit of a “glossy” appearance from the Aquaphor you could not really tell I had anything done.
The next morning – I was just slightly red. I cleansed my skin with the vinegar solution, applied my Aquaphor and off to work I went. My face didn’t even feel like I had anything done. As the day progressed the redness stuck around and the pigment really surfaced on my cheeks and forehead. Half way through the day I applied Colorescience All Calm to tone down the redness but also to give my skin a nice soothing feel.
Day 2 – I could tell as soon as I woke up, peeling was coming soon. My face was tight but not uncomfortable. My family had a picnic to attend, so All Calm was applied as well as a hat with the intent to find shade. Of course I was at a picnic, so I was eating appetizers and talking. The peeling was about to go down. It happened. I embraced it and no one even batted an eye at my shedding face. Keeping up with the Aquaphor really helped to alleviate any itching tight feeling of the peeling process.
Day 3 – The majority of the peeling was already over. There was slight sloughing of skin at my hairline, jawline and around my nose but you honestly would have never even thought I had a peel. It looked like a very mild sunburn was now peeling. My skin was already healing and the redness was fading.
Day 4 – Today I started using Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser instead of the vinegar solution and Cetaphil moisturizer instead of Aquaphor. My skin still has some scattered redness and mild peeling. Overall, my skin feels great. Back to normal and I was able to use my mineral makeup and SPF like normal.
Day 5 – Stay at home Sunday. I had housework and a few projects to complete so I washed my face and put on some Aquaphor to help get those last pesky areas of peeling skin to slough off. Mission accomplished. By last night my skin was radiating and the redness is completely vanished. There are still very minor areas of flaking left.
Today – Back to work. Washed my face with my Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser and applied my Cetaphil moisturizer. Brushed on my SPF and off we go.
Tomorrow I will be able to start my full skin care routine again. I will have another chemical peel for my second of the series of four in a few weeks. They will be spaced out every 4-6 weeks. My main goals: address the hyperpigmentation of my skin and reveal healthy glowing skin. Stay tuned for results as we go!
Blog written by: Danielle Jones