Chemical peels are acids that remove dead cells, damaged superficial skin layers. As a result, you may experience collagen boost and skin restoration. But Can You Wear Makeup After A Chemical Peel?
This procedure tends to leave skin more delicate than usual, susceptible to absorb impurities, and prone to irritation.
For this reason, it is not indicated that you wear makeup straight after a chemical peeling.
So, Can I wear Makeup After A Chemical Peel?
No, it is not ok to apply make-up on healing skin. In fact, it is much better to adopt a bare skin routine, for a while, to enhance the treatment.
How Soon Should You Wear Makeup After A Chemical Peel
There is a time you need to wait before you can resume your makeup routine, and it depends on the type of chemical peel treatment you performed.
Here’s what Doctor Harold Kaplan says:
- Superficial chemical peels: Some superficial chemicals may allow you to wait 24 hours after the procedure.
- Deep chemicals: it is very probable that you should wait approximately 2 weeks or more before applying make up.
Doctor Elizabeth Morgan advises using it when the skin has healed after peeling.
She also suggests the following waiting time, depending on the chemical peel you use:
- Phenol/croton oil peel, 10 – 14 days
- For a 30% TCA peel, 10 – 14 days
- low strength glycolic acid peel, 24 hours
Every skin is especially different so always contact a doctor and a beautician for proper personalized advice.
Down Below, I share with you some different types of chemical peeling, classified by their respective degree of strength.
|
Types Of Peels |
Example |
Treatment / Good For |
|
Superficial chemical peel / light peel |
low-strength lactic, salicylic, alpha hydroxy acid like glycolic acid |
Clear unclog pores, gives you a smooth glowy skin |
|
Medium |
TCA, Jessner’s solution, and higher percentages of glycolic acid |
Treats skin pigmentations, scarring, anti aging concerns such as lines and wrinkles |
|
deep peel |
phenol-based formulas / |
Treats severe acne scars / scarring, pigmentation, damage caused by the sun |
Source: Realself.com/nonsurgical/chemical-peel
What Happens If You Wear Makeup After Chemical Peel?
It is normal for make-up to accumulate bacteria, so it is important to be careful and make sure to wait.
If you don’t wait for the proper recovery time and apply make-up on bare skin, you may suffer from infection and other complications like redness and allergies.
Also, removing makeup may also cause skin irritation due to the hypersensitivity of the treated skin.
Applying makeup such as face powder and some foundations may dry out your skin and make it look flaky.
To be on the safe side, it is better to stick to the no makeup rule for as long as you feel your skin is sensitive.
Avoid wearing makeup during the entire healing process, including lip line, lip gloss, that way you won’t risk delaying healing.
What Kind Of Makeup Should I Use After Chemical Peel?
Now that you have an idea how long after a chemical peel you can wear make up, you may be wondering what type of makeup is indicated to use after chemical peels.
Many doctors, including Dr. Andrew T. Lyos Recommend the use of Mineral makeup.
Mineral Makeup is great for sensitive skin as it is free from Parabens, binders, and fillers.
They are hypoallergenic, suitable for all skin types, even if you suffer from skin problems such as acne, rosacea, eczema.
He also emphasizes the importance of cleaning your skin before going to bed, this way you won’t clog your pores.
Can I wear Tinted Moisturizer?
It is best to treat tinted moisturizers as makeup and avoid wearing them while you are still recovering.
However, once your skin is healed, this is a great idea to use a mineral-tinted moisturizer instead of a proper foundation, if it is natural and gentle.
How To Speed Up Peeling After Chemical Peel
Even though there isn’t a magical recipe to speed up the healing, you can always do your best to have it healed as soon as possible.
Here you have a quick list of things to help you benefit from a smoother recovery.
- Use gentle Cleanser and Moisturizer
- Keep skin Hydrated and use high spf factor
- Use a Zinc Oxide Sunscreen moisturizer If you experience redness
- For medium or deep peel you can use post peel ointment
- Use soap free cleansers
- Use cooler water to wash your face
- Sterile your brushes and sponges
- Use natural gentle cosmetics
- Let your skin breath don’t do anything until it is healed
Down you have a list of Things to Avoid After Getting a Chemical Peel
- Skipping moisturizing and sunscreen
- Applying way more moisturizer than the essential
- Other harsh facial treatments and exfoliating
- Avoid Sun exposure
- Excess sweating, spa, sports
- Say no to peeling and picking
- Slow down your social schedule to heal and focus on the treatment
Final Thoughts
You shouldn’t wear make-up after a chemical peel, as there is a period where you should leave your skin alone to breathe.
Remember to always ask your doctor, what’s the best treatment, as every individual recovers differently and he will answer more specific questions.