Ever since I started getting regular facials, I’ve wanted to try a chemical peel.  I’ve heard so many estheticians – heck, even my dermatologist – rave about them, but I always thought I’d end up like Samatha in Sex and the City.  Who could forget that episode?

Well, two weeks ago I went for it and wanted to share my experience.  First, a little backstory.

My main reason for getting a chemical peel was to help with hyperpigmentation.  Prior to having my daughter, I was on birth control for years.  Towards the end of taking it, I started to notice hyperpigmentation on my cheeks and forehead.  Because birth control tricks your body into thinking it’s pregnant, I had developed a mild case of melasma (AKA the mask of pregnancy).  A dermatologist recommended I try laser treatment to remove the spots, so I did.  After the procedure, my hyperpigmentation completely disappeared… for three weeks.  For whatever reason, at the 3-week mark, it came back (literally overnight) and even darker than before.

While laser treatment can be effective for some people (do your research!), it was not the right choice for me.  I’ve been working to reverse the damage ever since.  My goal is to get to a point where my skin is completely even and wearing makeup is optional and not a must.

I saw Dr. Zoe of Perfect Face Aesthetic Medicine in La Jolla.  She did a deep-level peel which included the following.

The Chemical Peel Process

First, I had to wash my face to remove my moisturizer and sunscreen.  Dr. Zoe applied vaseline around my eyes, mouth and on the corners of my nose so the chemical peel solution wouldn’t pool in those areas.  She then gave me a handheld fan so the burning sensation wouldn’t feel so intense.

Using a cotton swab, she wiped the solution over my face four times, waiting a couple minutes between each pass.  The whole process took 10 minutes.

Did it hurt?  No.

You can definitely feel the burning sensation and while it isn’t comfortable, it’s nothing you can’t handle.  Having a handheld fan to blow cool air on your face really helps.

The First Two Days

For the first 48-72 hours you actually look normal.  Your face feels very dry and tight, and mine even looked a little firmer.  A friend commented that she thought I had gotten Botox!  My face looked glossy too.  The best way I can describe it is to have you imagine someone painting a clear coat of nail polish on your face – hah!

Day 3/4 – Let the Peeling Begin

I didn’t start peeling until Day 4 and the first place it happened was around my mouth.  If you’ve ever done a charcoal mask, you know the feeling when it starts to dry and will crack when you smile or talk.  That’s exactly what this is like but instead of the mask cracking and flaking off, it’s your skin.

Day 14

The average person is supposed to stop peeling between days 7-10.  I didn’t stop peeling until Day 14.  I’ve always been very slow to heal (a pimple leaves a mark for up to 6 months on me!) so this didn’t really surprise me.

You can’t wear makeup at all during this time and must apply sunscreen every two hours.  THIS IS KEY!

A Word of Caution

1. The hardest part about getting a chemical peel is the downtime.  I looked like a dying snake for a solid two weeks.  It was super gross and creepy.  If you work in an office or have to face the outside world on a daily basis, I honestly don’t know how you’d do a chemical peel.

2. You literally can’t touch your face during recovery.  At all.  No scratching, no rubbing, and absolutely no picking.  Even washing your face and applying moisturizer and sunscreen (the ONLY two things you’re allowed to wear) is risky.  You have to be SUPER gentle.  I pat my face dry and applied my moisturizer like I was handling a Fabergé egg.

If the peeling comes off because you touch your skin, you run the risk of scarring.

3. You must avoid the sun AT ALL COSTS.  Any time I went outside (even to check the mailbox!) I wore this hat.  It has a built-in face mask.  Le’ts just be honest – it’s basically a full hazmat suit.  Wearing it out in public resulted in TONS of comments from people.

4. Because the chemical peel eats away at the top layer of your skin, what’s underneath will get exposed.  In other words, if you have any congested pores, be ready to get pimples and blackheads while you’re healing.

I ended up with a pimple on my chin, one on my forehead and a few blackheads around the corner of my nose.  These were all things that would recur for me, so I’m glad the peel burned my skin down to the core of the problem to get rid of them for good.

What I’ll Do Differently Next Time

1. If you can avoid it, don’t get a chemical peel during the dead of summer.  It’s too hot and normal life inevitably gets in the way – you have to put gas in your car, buy groceries, etc. and doing those things when the sun is the most powerful isn’t safe or fun.

2. Get your peel on a Thursday.  Because you don’t start peeling for 2-3 days, you can actually go out in public over the weekend (no makeup though) and not look like a dying snake.

3. Be prepared with the right gear.  You absolutely need to wear a hat anytime you are outside or while driving.  I bought this hat and this visor and wore them religiously.  The visor is developed by dermatologists and blocks 99% of UVA/UVB rays.

Was it Worth it?

YES.  While I still have a ways to go to fully get rid of my hyperpigmentation, I absolutely recommend getting a chemical peel.  I can see a definite difference in my skin being more even-toned and the texture is amazing.  You have the freshest, most even skin after a peel.  It’s like baby skin!

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