How Long Does a Chemical Peel Take?

Chemical peels come in all shapes and sizes. At the most basic, you can order a kit from Amazon (other providers also exist) and carry out the procedure at home. NB—this is not something that any dermatologist worth their salt would recommend. While DIY ones are, by their nature, mild, any quick online search will bring up image after image that proves why you shouldn’t take matters into your own hands.

The key to great results is to take the professional route. This also means that you’ll be given all the information you need about the length of the process, recovery period, and when you can expect to see the best results.

From consultation to recovery: FAQs about how long does a chemical peel take?

• How long does a chemical peel take? The consultation
• How long does a chemical peel take? The procedure
• How long does a chemical peel take? The recovery

How long does a chemical peel take? The consultation

While this might be one of the shortest of the three steps, it’s one of the most critical. Your practitioner will assess your skin, ask about any problems, take a full medical history, and want to understand your goals.

In cases where a deep chemical peel is to be carried out, you’ll undergo a strategic pre-treatment plan. This can take anything up to 8 weeks and is designed to prepare the skin to be able to cope with what is quite an invasive treatment. Each is bespoke to the individual, meaning that any questions about the length of the procedure should be answered by your medical practitioner.

For light and, perhaps, medium peels (the most usual types carried out), then a single session should suffice for the consultation. You’ll be advised not to do anything in the days leading up to your peel. This includes tweezing, waxing, tanning, using depilatory creams, etc.

How long does a chemical peel take? The procedure

The process itself takes anything from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the depth of the peel and the area being treated. The prep generally takes longer than the peel itself—you’ll need to wash your face and every trace of makeup, moisturizers, and other cosmetics must be removed. 

How long does a chemical peel take? The recovery

The recovery period for a light peel is from 1-7 days. Your skin is likely to be a little red and dry—your doctor will give you ointment to soothe this. Most people can usually wear makeup after 24 hours or so.

The after-effects of a medium peel are more noticeable, with stinging, redness, and swelling quite usual. Again, you’ll be given soothing ointment and you may need OTC pain relief and/or ice packs to soothe the area. The swelling and soreness can last anything up to 14 days, with redness lasting considerably longer.

Ready to Discover the Best Chemical Peel for You? Contact Bayou City Dermatology Today

Bayou City Dermatologists like to do things a little differently (it’s just one of the reasons we’re Houston’s go-to skin care clinic for those who want their best possible skin). This is evident from the moment you first make contact. Not only do we have some of the best medical dermatologists in the country, but when you join our family, you automatically benefit from our tailored treatments that are bespoke to you.

Whether you want to know how long a chemical peel will take, when you’ll see the results, or perhaps what other treatments might deliver your most kissable skin ever, you can rest easy knowing that every treatment we provide is done with your individual skin types and goals firmly at the forefront.

Ready to find out more? Head to https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com/cosmetic/chemical-peels and give us a call today.