Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical Exfoliation
Pre-care & Post-Care Guide
Thank you for choosing The Muse Medi Spa. To ensure you receive the best results from your chemical peel and minimise risk of irritation, please read and follow the guidance below. These steps will help prepare your skin, support healing, and enhance your final outcome.
Pre-care & Post-Care Guide
Thank you for choosing The Muse Medi Spa. To ensure you receive the best results from your chemical peel and minimise risk of irritation, please read and follow the guidance below. These steps will help prepare your skin, support healing, and enhance your final outcome.


Pre-care instructions
What to do before your peel
1. Use a gentle skincare routine (1 week prior)
Cleanser: Mild, non-abrasive (e.g., Obagi Gentle Cleanser)
Moisturiser: Fragrance-free, hydrating product
SPF: Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily
2. Stop using active ingredients (3–5 days prior)
Discontinue:
Retinoids (Retin-A, Tretinoin, etc)
AHAs/BHAs (glycolic, lactic, salicylic acid)
Benzoyl peroxide
Vitamin C serums (especially high strength)
3. Avoid skin stress
No waxing, depilatory creams, or exfoliation on the treatment area for 5–7 days prior
Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for 1 week prior
4. Medical disclosure
Tell your provider if you have:
A history of cold sores (you may need an antiviral)
Used Accutane within the past 6–12 months
Recently had laser treatments, microneedling, or injectables
Post-care instructions
What to do after your peel
1. Moisturise generously
Use a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturiser (e.g., Obagi Hydrate) to soothe dryness and flaking.
2. Wear SPF daily
Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) every morning — your skin will be more sensitive to UV damage.
Reapply every 2 hours if you're outside.
3. Cleanse gently
Use a mild cleanser with lukewarm water.
Pat your face dry — do not rub or use exfoliating cloths.
4. Let peeling happen naturally
Peeling or flaking usually starts 2–3 days post-peel and lasts around 5–7 days.
Do not pick, scrub, or exfoliate the flaking skin.
Avoid after your peel
No makeup for 24 hours
Allow your skin to recover fully post-peel.No retinoids, acids, or exfoliants for 5–7 days
Wait until your skin has fully healed.No heat or sweating
Avoid saunas, hot yoga, and intense workouts for 48 hours to minimise irritation.No tanning or direct sunlight
Even brief exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation while your skin is healing.
Recovery timeline (typical)
Day | What to expect |
---|---|
1 | Mild redness, tightness |
2–3 | Slight flaking or peeling starts |
4–6 | Peak peeling phase |
7 | Skin appears smoother, brighter |
7+ | Resume normal skincare if cleared |
Pre-care instructions
What to do before your peel
1. Use a gentle skincare routine (1 week prior)
Cleanser: Mild, non-abrasive (e.g., Obagi Gentle Cleanser)
Moisturiser: Fragrance-free, hydrating product
SPF: Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily
2. Stop using active ingredients (3–5 days prior)
Discontinue:
Retinoids (Retin-A, Tretinoin, etc)
AHAs/BHAs (glycolic, lactic, salicylic acid)
Benzoyl peroxide
Vitamin C serums (especially high strength)
3. Avoid skin stress
No waxing, depilatory creams, or exfoliation on the treatment area for 5–7 days prior
Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for 1 week prior
4. Medical disclosure
Tell your provider if you have:
A history of cold sores (you may need an antiviral)
Used Accutane within the past 6–12 months
Recently had laser treatments, microneedling, or injectables
Post-care instructions
What to do after your peel
1. Moisturise generously
Use a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturiser (e.g., Obagi Hydrate) to soothe dryness and flaking.
2. Wear SPF daily
Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) every morning — your skin will be more sensitive to UV damage.
Reapply every 2 hours if you're outside.
3. Cleanse gently
Use a mild cleanser with lukewarm water.
Pat your face dry — do not rub or use exfoliating cloths.
4. Let peeling happen naturally
Peeling or flaking usually starts 2–3 days post-peel and lasts around 5–7 days.
Do not pick, scrub, or exfoliate the flaking skin.
Avoid after your peel
No makeup for 24 hours
Allow your skin to recover fully post-peel.No retinoids, acids, or exfoliants for 5–7 days
Wait until your skin has fully healed.No heat or sweating
Avoid saunas, hot yoga, and intense workouts for 48 hours to minimise irritation.No tanning or direct sunlight
Even brief exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation while your skin is healing.
Recovery timeline (typical)
Day | What to expect |
---|---|
1 | Mild redness, tightness |
2–3 | Slight flaking or peeling starts |
4–6 | Peak peeling phase |
7 | Skin appears smoother, brighter |
7+ | Resume normal skincare if cleared |
Contact information
If you have any questions or experience anything unexpected during your recovery, please contact us for guidance.
General enquiries (10am to 5pm):
📞 020 3861 5990
Out-of-hours or emergencies:
📞 07847 875154
Contact information
If you have any questions or experience anything unexpected during your recovery, please contact us for guidance.
General enquiries (10am to 5pm):
📞 020 3861 5990
Out-of-hours or emergencies:
📞 07847 875154
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I prepare my skin before a chemical peel?
Are there any treatments or habits I should avoid before the peel?
What’s the correct skincare routine after my chemical peel?
What should I avoid during recovery?
What does a typical healing timeline look like?
How should I prepare my skin before a chemical peel?
Are there any treatments or habits I should avoid before the peel?
What’s the correct skincare routine after my chemical peel?
What should I avoid during recovery?
What does a typical healing timeline look like?
How should I prepare my skin before a chemical peel?
Are there any treatments or habits I should avoid before the peel?
What’s the correct skincare routine after my chemical peel?
What should I avoid during recovery?
What does a typical healing timeline look like?
Ready for the experience?
Book a Treatment
Ready for the experience?
Book a Treatment
Ready for the experience?
Book a Treatment