Kayla Young
Whether you go to a dermatologist for a deep peel, or use an at-home light peel, a chemical peel can really rejuvenate your skin.
Can you spray tan after a chemical peel?
The skincare industry has even dubbed the darker months “Peel Season“. That’s because this is when the colder temperatures and lack of sunlight make for the perfect time to receive chemical peels, especially if you’re suffering from skin damage caused by summer sun exposure.
But what about the skincare products you own, and may want to use after a chemical peel? For example, can you spray tan after a chemical peel?
It’s definitely not a good idea to get a spray tan after a chemical peel. IF it’s a light at-home peel, you can probably tan in a few days. But if it’s a deep peel, you may need to wait several weeks.
I’ll explain the details below.
Spray Tan After a Chemical Peel
For starters, the best way to prepare for having a chemical peel done in the first place is to leave the tanning products where they are on your bathroom shelves.
Even visiting the tanning salon isn’t a good idea! Not only will your tan be removed along with the chemical peel, but your skin’s keratin layer will be thicker. So the procedure may not work as well as it could.
And even when you’ve had your chemical peel done, you should carefully follow the instructions that your aesthetician gives you.
If you ask them, they will also let you know that it would be dangerous to have a spray tan for up to four weeks afterward while your skin is recovering from the treatment, in order to avoid any complications that can arise.
Even visiting the tanning salon isn’t a good idea! Not only will your tan be removed along with the chemical peel, but your skin’s keratin layer will be thicker. So the procedure may not work as well as it could.
Healing Your Skin After A Chemical Peel
Basically, because a chemical peel removes the surface cell layers of your skin, it needs adequate time to heal, which means any areas treated will need to be looked after properly to avoid any chance of developing an infection.
This means that on average, you will need to stay away from your usual beauty products, including all makeup and retinol-based creams, and even spray tan, self-tanning products, and hair color dyes while you’re waiting for your skin to heal properly.
In addition, you need to avoid all sun exposure! This is why fall and winter are known as Peel Season. But this means that UV lights from artificial tanning beds are also a no-no, as is as working up a sweat at the gym or sauna. This is because the additional heat can also cause your skin to react badly after having a chemical peel.
In addition, you need to avoid all sun exposure! This is why fall and winter are known as Peel Season. But this means that UV lights from artificial tanning beds are also a no-no, as is as working up a sweat at the gym or sauna. This is because the additional heat can also cause your skin to react badly after having a chemical peel.
Depending on factors like your skin type, hormonal balance, age, peel type, and lifestyle, the peeling process itself can take up to 10 days on your face. During this time you will probably experience very sensitive skin, redness, tightness, swelling, and flaking.
After this time, your skin will start to calm down, but you should always follow your esthetician’s recommendations on how to keep your skin cleansed and hydrated during this healing process, or follow the instructions on the box in the case of an at-home peel.
They will also more than likely advise you to wait at least for weeks before applying anything else — including having a spray tan.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been thinking of having a spray tan, then there are a few things that you need to keep in mind, especially if you’re also going to have, or have had, a chemical peel. So, can you spray tan after a chemical peel?
Well, if you’ve had a light chemical peel, then it may be possible after a few days. However, it would be best for you to wait until your skin has healed properly and your pores aren’t so exposed before getting a spray tan done.
By doing so, you can enjoy your smooth and sun-kissed skin without worrying about any unnecessary irritation that can result otherwise.
