Hyaluronic Acid After a Chemical Peel: A Good Idea?

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Before you have a chemical peel, there are a few things you should make yourself aware of about this procedure. Obviously, taking care of your skin both before and after the treatment is extremely important. And make sure that you ask your dermatologist about the right routine you’ll need to use while your skin heals.

If you’re also a fan of rejuvenating skincare, then you’ll probably have some hyaluronic acid in your beauty cabinet. So, can these two things work together to help you have clearer and smoother skin even faster?

Read on to find out if you can use hyaluronic acid after a chemical peel.


Contents

What’s The Process?

Before we take a look at hyaluronic acid, however, we’re going to dive a bit deeper into the chemical peel process, which is a great way to make your skin feel and look like new.

You will first need to speak to your dermatologist about your desired outcome (if you’re not doing an at-home peel), which could be anything from making your skin tone more even to alleviating the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Pro Tip: You will first need to speak to your dermatologist about your desired outcome, which could be anything from making your skin tone more even to alleviate the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Your dermatologist will also let you know about the skincare products you will need to use both before and after you have your chemical peel.

Finally, they will help you to make the decision on the intensity of chemical peel treatment that will be used — either light, medium or deep — and what you should expect in relation to recovery times.

If you’re going the at-home peel route, check out these articles for more information:


The Light Stuff

Light chemical peels work to remove the outer layer of your skin. This intensity of treatment helps to eliminate fine lines, remove acne, even out skin tone, and alleviate patches of dryness.

During your chemical peel session, your skin will feel warmer in temperature and you may also experience some stinging. Once the peel is removed using cold water, and a neutralizing agent applied, you’re good to go.

Light chemical peels can be done every two to five weeks, depending on your desired outcome.

Medium Prize

Obviously a stronger intensity of chemical peel, medium peels use glycolic acid or trichloroacetic to get deeper into the epidermis.

Because of this, treatments are generally only done every three to nine months. Medium chemical peels work best for treating acne scars and wrinkles, as well as making the skin tone more even.

Deep Deep Down

Deep chemical peels are very effective at penetrating the skin’s bottom layer by using a chemical called phenol, an organic compound that can be toxic.

Therefore, it is imperative that you only have this treatment with a qualified dermatologist who is very experienced with this method.

Unlike the first two intensities, a deep chemical peel is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, because of the discomfort you will have during the procedure, including significant peeling. Add to that the fact that it’s only used to remove scars, relieve the appearance of deep wrinkles, or remove precancerous growths.

You may also need a local anesthetic during your procedure.


Things To Consider Before Your Chemical Peel

You should take note that after your chemical peel, regardless of which type you have, your skin is going to feel much more sensitive. So, you’re really going to have to try and avoid touching your face while it heals from the procedure.

You’ll also need to wear your hair in a top knot or ponytail if your hair is long, so that it doesn’t hit your face accidentally.

If you were planning on having your chemical peel treatment before going on beach vacation, then you definitely need to reschedule your appointment for when you return.

This is because you will probably experience at least some redness and mild irritation, and added sun exposure can make this a lot worse.


Hyaluronic Acid After a Chemical Peel

For most people that have chemical peels, the lighter intensity option is something they simply work into their regular skincare routine. And they know that the first thing your skin needs after a chemical peel is moisturizing to help it retain hydration.

This is where the magic of hyaluronic acid enters the chat! Because this amazing humectant is fabulous at helping the skin restore its natural moisture, being an acid that’s found in your own body.

Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant for your eyes, joints, and other tissues, so you can see why it’s a great addition to skin that needs healing.

Pro Tip: This is where the magic of hyaluronic acid enters the chat! Because this amazing humectant is fabulous at helping the skin restore its natural moisture.

The fact that one molecule of hyaluronic acid is able to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, means that moisturizers containing this active ingredient are among the best products that you can use on your skin to help soothe it after you’ve had a chemical peel.

Get some moisture to your skin before you start wearing makeup or spray tanning, anything like that.

Neocutis Hyalis+ Intensive Hydrating Serum  is manufactured by a Swiss company, whose scientists began by creating technology that heals burned skin tissue and other extensive wounds. Its Hyalis+ serum includes hyaluronic acid, and is an advanced formula that offers optimal hydration for softer, more supple and much younger-looking skin.

Neocutis Hyalis+ - Hyaluronic Acid and Hydrating Serum - Oil Free - 15ml
  • Country Of Origin Is United States
  • Package Dimensions: 4.318 L X 9.398 H X...
  • Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sorbitol,...
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You’re also going to need a good sunscreen to protect your skin from UV exposure, while it is more sensitive to sunlight. In fact, because of potential sun damage, it’s actually best to have a chemical peel done in the winter months, when there is less sun, and you spend more time indoors.

However, one great sunscreen that goes on clear and contains hyaluronic acid is Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Facial Moisturizer , which is a gentle gel hydrator that contains broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

Its fragrance-free and non-greasy formula includes glycerin for even deeper moisturizing, and antioxidants, including vitamin E. And with a strong SPF of 50, without the inclusion of harsh oxybenzone, it’s also free of parabens and mineral oil.


Final Words

And before you start putting makeup on again after you’ve had your chemical peel, make sure that you have your dermatologist’s say so. The type of chemical peel you have will be taken into consideration because medium and deep peels will need a much longer recovery time.

You’ll need to keep your skin as clean as possible during the healing process and make sure you don’t pick at the exfoliated skin coming off, even though it may be tempting. Using hyaluronic acid after your chemical peel will help speed up this process to reveal the smooth new skin you desire.


Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).