Peel Postop Instructions

88% Phenol or 35% TCA Chemical Peel Postop Instructions

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHEMICAL PEEL

• 2 weeks prior to your procedure:
  • Avoid excessive sun exposure or tanning.
  • Discontinue the use of facial exfoliants (scrubs, washes, and other treatments such as microdermabrasion that remove the outermost layer of skin).
  • Discontinue the use of products containing topical retinoids, including Retin-A, Avage, Differin, Tazorac, and Renova.

Review the prescriptions provided by Dr. Batniji.  You will be asked to start anti-viral and antibiotic medications prior to your procedure.

• On the day of your treatment:
  • Do not wear contact lenses.
  • Do not wear make-up or use any other facial products, such as a moisturizer.  Do not use mascara.
  • Wash your face with Cetaphil prior to arrival for your procedure.
  • If your procedure is performed in the office, please bring a headband with you to the office.  This will be used to hold your hair away from the chemical peel treatment areas.
  • You may wish to arrange for a driver to bring you to the office and take you home after the procedure.
  • Once you arrive to the office for your procedure, Dr. Batniji may take pre-treatment photographs.  Then, a topical anesthetic cream will be applied for approximately 30-60 minutes prior to the procedure to numb the treatment areas.

• Post-procedure care instructions:
  • Apply Aquaphor to the treated skin 2 hours after the chemical peel.  Apply a generous amount of Aquaphor so that the treated area does not become dry.
  • After the first 24 hours, please wash the treated areas with Cetaphil to gently remove the Aquaphor.  Always wash your hands thoroughly using antibacterial soap before touching the treated skin.
  • Wash your face 3-6 times a day after the first 24 hours.
  • Following cleansing, use gauze soaked in tap water to GENTLY remove yellowish/brown crusts.  Overzealous removal of crusts may result in scar formation; therefore, only remove crusting that easily comes off.
  • Following cleansing, you may want to use a white vinegar solution to ease any discomfort, such as itching. 
    • Mix a solution of 1 teaspoon white vinegar with 1 cup cold water.
    • Gently dab the mixture onto the treated areas using a clean washcloth or gauze.
    • Following the white vinegar solution treatment, the area should be gently rinsed with water and dried with a clean washcloth.
    • You may perform this white vinegar solution treatment 3 times a day.
  • Apply Aquaphor immediately after cleansing.  It is imperative that the treated skin does not dry out; otherwise it may increase the risk of scar formation and/or infection.  To that end, please reapply the Aquaphor if the treated skin feels tight or dry. 
  • Apply a thicker layer of Aquaphor at nighttime.
  • Try to sleep on your back following treatment with the head of the bed slightly elevated to minimize swelling after the procedure.  Using an extra pillow will help facilitate head of bed elevation.
  • Avoid rubbing the treated areas.  Also, avoid removing flaking or peeling skin.  Rather, allow this skin to peel on its own.  Rubbing and/or removing flaked/peeled skin may increase the incidence of scar formation.
  • New skin will have formed underneath the layer of the treated skin that flakes/peels.  Your new skin will be fragile and must be treated gently.  This includes a high quality moisturizer and sunblock.  Dr. Batniji and staff will instruct you when it is time to discontinue the Aquaphor.

Contact Dr. Batniji and staff if you begin to experience any of the following:

• Cold sores/Fever blisters
• Signs of infection, such as increased itching, pain, swelling, pus, or oozing.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at 949.650.8882 if you have any questions or concerns.