How To Use A Chemical Peel At Home

Let’s face it: your skin is not as it used to be. If you’re like most people, you’re now staring at a face that looks… different. Maybe your skin has lost its luster. Maybe it just doesn’t feel as smooth as it once did—and maybe you’ve been waiting for that post-gym glow to come back, but it still hasn’t.

It’s time to take action! If you’ve been looking for a way to turn back the clock on aging skin, chemical peels are an option worth exploring. Chemical peels offer a variety of benefits—but how do you know if they’re right for you? And how do you go about getting one done professionally? We’ll walk through everything from how chemical peels work and what they can do for your skin to how to use them at home safely and effectively.

Read on to learn more about How To Use A Chemical Peel At Home, What’s the Difference Between At-Home and In-Office Chemical Peels?

How To Use A Chemical Peel At Home

If the term “chemical peel” still makes you a little squirmy, we get it. For many of us, the concept is permanently linked to the image of Samantha’s raw, red face in that iconic SATC episode. But chemical peels—neither the in-office version nor their at-home, DIY counterparts—are something to fear. Rather, they’re an invaluable tool in your skin-perfecting arsenal with the ability to offer a laundry list of varied benefits and address a boatload of complexion concerns. Still, in order to avoid over-exfoliating, it is important to understand that peels are powerful—proper use is key, and we mean key, to ensuring the best results. And that’s dually true when it comes to at-home peels you’re administering yourself. So in order to help set you up for skincare success, we went straight to the pros. Ahead, cosmetic dermatology expert Dr. Kenneth Mark and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Gonzalez weigh in on everything you need to know before you DIY a chemical peel.

Chemical peels are a great way to refresh the skin and improve texture. They are also used to treat acne and pigmentation. Chemical peels can be performed at home or by a dermatologist, but it is important to know how to use a chemical peel at home safely.

Step 1: Cleanse your face with gentle cleanser and warm water

Step 2: Apply an exfoliating scrub to the area you want to peel

Step 3: Rinse off the scrub and pat your face dry

Step 4: Apply a chemical peel solution with a Q-tip all over the area you want to peel

A chemical peel is a way to improve the appearance of your skin. It removes the outer layer of skin, revealing younger-looking skin underneath. The process involves using a chemical solution to remove dead cells and smooth out fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

Chemical peels can be done in the office of a doctor or at home. If you are considering at-home chemical peeling, keep in mind that it can be time consuming and requires some maintenance after treatment.

Before you start an at-home chemical peel treatment, consult with your dermatologist or other health care provider to make sure it is safe for your skin type and condition. If they give you the go-ahead, get ready for some downtime while your skin heals — and enjoy smoother, more youthful looking skin!

How To Use A Chemical Peel At Home

A chemical peel is a treatment that uses a mild acid to remove the damaged outer layer of skin. The acid causes the top layer of skin to shed and be replaced by new, smooth skin. Chemical peels are used to treat acne scars, sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles. They also improve the appearance of oily skin, large pores, textural irregularities and roughness. Chemical peels can be performed in a doctor’s office or spa setting or at home with over-the-counter products.

How Does A Chemical Peel Work?

Before getting started with your chemical peel, it’s important to understand how this procedure works:

Step 1: Your doctor will apply an acid solution to your face using cotton swabs or gauze sponges. This solution is left on your face for about 10 minutes before being removed with cool water.

Step 2: After washing away the acid solution, your doctor will apply a neutralizing solution over any remaining areas of irritation or sensitivity. This step ensures that no further irritation occurs on your face after treatment.

Step 3: You should not wash or touch your face for at least 30 minutes after completing your chemical peel treatment to allow time for full absorption of these

Chemical peels are a facial treatment that can help improve your skin tone, texture and appearance. These treatments are designed to remove the outermost layer of the skin, which is replaced with new, healthy skin cells.

There are different types of chemical peels available, including glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Both of these are milder acids that can be used at home without professional supervision, as long as you follow the instructions carefully.

When using a chemical peel at home, it’s important to follow the instructions exactly. This will ensure that you achieve optimal results with minimal irritation or discomfort.

Prepare Your Skin for a Chemical Peel

Before applying any kind of chemical peel on your face, it’s important to prepare your skin properly beforehand. Here’s how:

Cleanse your face thoroughly before applying any kind of peeling agent. Use warm water and a gentle cleanser to remove excess dirt, makeup and oil from your face before proceeding with the rest of your skincare routine.

Exfoliate gently once or twice per week to remove dead skin cells from the surface of your face before using a chemical peel or other exfoliating products such as scrubs or masks. Exfoliation helps unclog pores so they don’t become

A chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure that uses either a chemical solution or laser to remove the top layer of skin.

Chemical peels can be done at home or in a doctor’s office. They take time and patience, but they can leave your skin looking healthier and younger than ever before.

Before you start using a chemical peel at home, make sure you know what you’re doing. Your skin will be more sensitive than normal for several days after the procedure because it is healing from damage caused by the chemicals. Here are some tips for getting started:

1. Do not use a chemical peel if you have any open wounds on your face or body.
2. Avoid using any other products on your face for 24 hours before and after using a chemical peel, including moisturizers, cleansers and makeup products.

Why Use a Chemical Peel?

“Chemical peels are the unsung heroes of dermatology,” says Mark. “Benefits include exfoliation, unclogging pores, treating and preventing acne, fading blemishes, producing a more radiant glow, and, when done consistently, stimulating collagen to minimize fine lines and wrinkles,” he explains. Because at-home products are less potent than in-office versions, you’ll typically have to use them repeatedly to see the best effects. That being said, you may noticed increased radiance and smoother skin even after one use, making these a great option to pull out before a big event or anytime your skin needs a little extra something. It’s also worth mentioning that chemical peels are not only good options for your face, but also for addressing any of the aforementioned issues on your neck, chest, and hands as well, adds Gonzalez.

What’s the Difference Between At-Home and In-Office Chemical Peels?

Generally speaking, any and all peels are liquid acid solutions that exfoliate the skin, says Mark. This then allows the skin to shed a dull or damaged layer of cells, revealing the healthier, brighter cells below the surface, adds Gonzalez. (Hence all those glow-boosting effects we just talked about.) Not all peels are created equal because there are a variety of acids that can be used, and there’s also a big difference between the over-the-counter chemical peel products you can use at-home and an in-office chemical peel. Essentially, it boils down to their strength and potency. “Chemical peels are categorized into three groups: supericial, medium, and deep,” explains Gonzalez, who points out that the at-home products all fall into the first category. As such, the benefits might not be quite as significant or dramatic, but the potentially adverse effects (AKA irritation) are also less likely, notes Mark. Other pros? Minimal downtime and less discomfort, not to mention the affordability factor.

But all of that hinges on the fact that when you, the customer, are buying an at-home peel product, you know your skin and what to look for, and are going to follow the instructions. While a superficial peel can be applied at-home with little risk if the instructions are followed correctly, many people can end up buying the wrong type for the skin, cautions Gonzalez. On that note…

How to Pick the Right One for You

At-home chemical peels use either alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids, AHAs and BHAs. While yes, they’re all exfoliating acids, their specific benefits vary. AHAs, such as glycolic and lactic acids, are ideal for addressing discoloration and evening out your overall skin tone, says Gonzalez.¹ On the other hand, BHAs (salicylic acid being the most popular), deeply penetrate the hair follicles to dry out excess oil and unclog pores, making them useful for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin, she adds.² But even within these two categories, there are subtle nuances; for example, lactic acid is gentler than glycolic acid, and is also hydrating, making it a good option for those with dryer or more sensitive skin, notes Mark.

So, broadly speaking, AHA peels are choice for improving tone and texture, while BHA peels are best for battling blemishes. But here’s the thing: Many over-the-counter products will also combine both AHAs and BHAs in order to address multiple different issues in one product. That’s all well and good, but it’s not something you should do yourself. In other words, if you want to reap the benefits of all the acids, choose a product that’s specially formulated to do so, rather than playing cosmetic chemist and mixing and matching various products, which is pretty much a guaranteed recipe for a skin freak-out.

On a similar note, it should go without saying, but both dermatologists agree that those with extremely sensitive skin should proceed with the utmost caution, even when it comes to the milder, DIY chemical peels. It may seem a little counterintuitive, given that the in-office peels are more potent, but seeing a pro is your best move. “You’re being analyzed onsite and you can be sure that the adequate percentage of the correct peel for your skin type is being administered by a trained professional,” Gonzalez explains. Seeking a professional also means you’re being assessed by a doctor to determine whether or not your skin is even a good candidate for a peel.

Application & Aftercare

Repeat after us: I solemnly swear that I will follow the directions of the chemical peel exactly as written. Some at-home chemical peels are pads that can be swiped on daily (like Dr. Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Packettes). Some are leave-on masks that have to be neutralized and should only be used weekly (like Caudalie’s Glycolic Peel Mask). In other words, read the directions and do as they say, both when it comes to how to use them and how often to do so. The one time it’s okay to deviate slightly is if you want to decrease the suggested frequency; using it less often than suggested and gradually working your way up can’t hurt, particularly if your skin tends to be easily irritated and/or it’s your first foray into the world of chemical peels.

Also worth noting: Just because your skin doesn’t actually peel, doesn’t mean it’s not working. In fact, given that most of the at-home peels are much milder than the professional versions, you probably won’t see any full-on skin flaking at all. “The peel’s success should be determined by the end result, rather than the degree of peeling,” says Gonzalez.

Keep in mind that any chemical peel will make your skin more sensitive to the sun for 24 to 72 hours afterward, cautions Gonzalez, so make sure you’re extra on top of your SPF game. And because these peels contain some pretty intense ingredients, don’t use them at the same time or even on the same day as any other potent players in your skincare lineup, such as retinoids.

The bottom line: Chemical peels come in all shapes and sizes and can do all kinds of great things for your skin—at-home versions included—so long as you take caution and follow the directions.