In order to provide you with the best possible service, we ask that you carefully review these general pre-care treatment instructions for a chemical peel treatment so that you fully understand them. If you have any questions about these instructions, please discuss them with your esthetician prior to treatment. To obtain maximum benefits from your treatment, it is crucial that you understand and adhere to these instructions. Failure to comply with these instructions may affect your treatment outcome and increase the likelihood or severity of complications. Depending on your individual needs, additional pre-care treatment instructions may be given to you by your esthetician.
- Please be candid in revealing any conditions that could prohibit this chemical peel treatment such as the use of Accutane in the past 6 months, pregnancy or breastfeeding, history of photosensitivity, autoimmune disease, or connective tissue disorder. Patients with certain medical conditions may be asked to provide a letter from their primary care physician or specialist stating that it is safe to undergo chemical peel treatments.
- Discuss with your esthetician your medical history, medications, allergies, skin type, and any tendency for scarring, keloid, or poor healing. Also, let your provider know if you have a history of cold sores, so that a prescription for an antiviral medication can be given to avoid a cold sore outbreak.
- Do NOT use any acidic products or irritants to your skin, such as retinoids or tretinoins, acne medication products such as Retin-AⓇ, TazoracⓇ, RenovaⓇ, AtralinⓇ, ZianaⓇ, DifferinⓇ, VeltinⓇ, the antibiotic Doxycycline, AHAs (glycolic, lactic, tartaric, etc.), BHAs (salicylic), benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C products, lightening agents such as hydroquinone or any exfoliative products including loofahs or coarse sponges to your skin for 1 week prior to your chemical peel. These medications and products increase your photosensitivity, which can significantly increase the likelihood of complications.
- Avoid direct sun exposure of any kind as well as tanning beds and self-tanning to the planned treatment areas for 4 weeks prior to treatment. A tan can produce a burn to the skin and can result in hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) as well as hypopigmentation (skin lightening). We recommend that you discontinue the practice of tanning due to the increased risk of skin cancer and aging.
- Do NOT tweeze, wax, use a depilatory, or undergo electrolysis in the areas you wish to have treated for 1 week before treatment.
- Avoid Botulinum Toxin Type A (BotoxⓇ) and dermal filler injections on or around the treatment area(s) for 1 week prior to treatment, unless otherwise approved by your healthcare provider.
- If you have an active cold sore or skin infection the day of your treatment, please call our office to reschedule your appointment.
- Bring a large brimmed hat or umbrella and a pair of sunglasses to block the sun for your trip home.
- Please arrive to your appointment with the treatment area(s) fully cleaned and free of makeup.
- Do NOT apply any creams, lotions, aftershave, cologne, or perfumes the day of the appointment to the planned treatment area(s). Avoid shaving the treatment area the day of the appointment.