Tried a 40% glycolic peel on a client with 'tough' skin and it went sideways fast.

She insisted her skin could handle anything, so against my better judgment, I did a full 5 minute application. She left red and tight but okay, then called me two days later with major peeling and irritation. I learned that client self-assessment is often way off, and you have to stick to your own protocols no matter what they say. Anyone have a good recovery routine for when a peel goes too deep?

3 comments

3 Comments

torres.drew1mo ago

My clinic uses a basic petrolatum jelly for three days straight to let the skin heal itself. After that, a super gentle ceramide cream can really help rebuild that barrier.

caleb_bell1mo ago

Man, that's a classic case of client confidence overriding good sense. Been there. First, totally stop all actives and tell her to avoid any scrubbing. I like what @torres.drew said about the petrolatum jelly, that's the move for the first few days to just lock in moisture. After the worst peeling calms down, a bland moisturizer with ceramides and maybe a bit of colloidal oatmeal can really soothe that raw feeling. It's a long road back to a healthy barrier, so patience is key.

the_anna4d ago

Remember my friend who tried to DIY a chemical peel? She had to do exactly this, just slather on Vaseline for a week before her face felt normal again.