Your guide to safe recovery following a professional chemical peel.

Advanced Chemical Peels use professionally selected acids and active ingredients to create a controlled chemical exfoliation of the skin.

Depending on the peel selected, treatment may target concerns including pigmentation, acne, congestion, uneven texture, fine lines, photoageing and overall skin quality.

Because different chemical peels work at different depths and intensities, your recovery may differ from another client's.

Your practitioner will select the peel, concentration, number of layers and treatment protocol according to your skin and treatment objective.

Typical visible downtime: approximately 2–10 days, depending on the peel performed.

Some lighter peels may cause almost no visible shedding, while stronger peels can produce significant peeling.

If VÉU has given you specific instructions for the peel you received, those instructions take priority over this general guide.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOUR PEEL

Depending on the peel performed, your skin may appear or feel:

• Red or flushed
• Warm
• Tight
• Sensitive
• Slightly swollen
• Dry
• Shiny or taut
• Mildly itchy

Some clients experience very little immediate reaction.

Others may develop a more noticeable response over the following several days.

Both can occur depending on the type and depth of peel.

FIRST 24 HOURS

Treat your skin very gently.

Avoid unnecessary touching, rubbing or scratching.

Do not exfoliate.

Use only the gentle or post-procedure skincare recommended by your practitioner.

CAN I WASH MY FACE?

Follow the cleansing timeframe provided by your practitioner, as this can vary depending on the peel performed.

Once cleansing is permitted:

• Wash your hands first
• Use cool to lukewarm water
• Use a gentle cleanser
• Cleanse with your fingertips
• Pat dry gently

Do not use:

• Hot water
• Cleansing brushes
• Scrubs
• Exfoliating cloths
• Exfoliating cleansers

DAYS 1–3

During the first few days, you may experience:

• Tightness
• Dryness
• Redness
• Sensitivity
• Mild itching
• Darkening of pigmentation
• A shiny or taut appearance

The skin may initially feel tighter and drier before visible peeling begins.

Pigmented areas can occasionally appear temporarily darker as treated epidermal tissue prepares to shed.

Do not attempt to remove it.

DAYS 3–7

Depending on the peel performed, this may be when visible shedding becomes most noticeable.

You may experience:

• Flaking
• Peeling
• Dryness
• Rough texture
• Temporary darkening
• Mild sensitivity

Peeling commonly begins around areas of greater facial movement, such as around the mouth, before progressing to other areas.

DO NOT PICK THE PEELING SKIN.

Do not:

• Pull
• Pick
• Scratch
• Scrub
• Exfoliate
• Use a face cloth to remove flakes
• Use acids to accelerate peeling

Allow all treated skin to shed naturally.

Premature removal can increase the risk of inflammation, infection, prolonged redness, post-inflammatory pigmentation and scarring.

DAYS 7–10

For many clients, visible peeling has significantly reduced by this stage.

The newly exposed skin may still feel:

• Pink
• Sensitive
• Dry
• More reactive than usual

Continue your gentle skincare routine.

Do not automatically restart strong active skincare simply because visible peeling has stopped.

Following deeper or stronger peels, recovery may extend beyond 10 days.

WHAT SKINCARE SHOULD I USE?

During the initial recovery period, your skincare should be intentionally simple.

MORNING

Gentle cleanser or water rinse as advised
→ Hydrating / barrier-supportive moisturiser
→ Broad-spectrum SPF 50+

EVENING

Gentle cleanser
→ Hydrating / barrier-supportive moisturiser

Do not introduce unnecessary new skincare while your skin is recovering.

WHEN CAN I RETURN TO MY NORMAL SKINCARE?

This depends on the strength and depth of the chemical peel you received.

GENTLE SKINCARE

Simple hydrating serums, gentle cleansers and barrier-supportive moisturisers can generally be used once they feel comfortable on the skin and do not contain irritating active ingredients.

ACTIVE SKINCARE

Temporarily discontinue:

• Retinol / retinal
• Prescription retinoids
• AHAs
• BHAs
• Glycolic acid
• Lactic acid
• Salicylic acid
• Exfoliating toner pads
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Physical scrubs
• Enzyme exfoliants
• Strong or acidic vitamin C formulations
• Other strong corrective products

For lighter professional peels, active products may sometimes be gradually resumed after approximately 5–7 days, provided the skin is completely settled.

For moderate or more intensive peels, you may need to wait approximately 7–14 days or longer.

THE RULE IS SIMPLE:

Do not restart active skincare while your skin is red, sensitive, peeling, crusted or irritated.

Wait until your skin barrier has recovered.

If your practitioner has provided a specific restart date, follow that instruction.

When restarting active skincare, introduce products gradually rather than restarting everything at once.

WHAT IF I'M NOT PEELING?

This is one of the most common questions following a chemical peel.

Visible peeling is not required for a chemical peel to have worked.

The degree of visible shedding depends on:

• Peel formulation
• Peel depth
• Number of layers
• Skin condition
• Previous treatments
• Individual skin response

Do not attempt to create more peeling by applying acids, scrubbing or exfoliating at home.

More peeling does not automatically mean a better result.

WHAT IF MY PIGMENTATION LOOKS DARKER?

Some pigmentation may temporarily appear darker or more noticeable following certain chemical peels.

This can occur as treated epidermal pigment moves through the shedding process.

Do not pick or exfoliate these areas.

Allow the skin to renew naturally.

If pigmentation continues to worsen after the initial recovery period or you are concerned about a change in colour, contact VÉU.

MAKEUP

Avoid makeup for at least the initial period recommended by your practitioner.

Do not apply makeup to skin that is:

• Raw
• Open
• Weeping
• Significantly irritated
• Heavily peeling or crusted

Once the skin surface is intact and comfortable, makeup may generally be gradually resumed.

Use clean brushes, sponges and applicators.

Remove makeup gently without rubbing or exfoliating.

EXERCISE

Avoid strenuous exercise and excessive sweating for approximately 24–48 hours, or longer following a stronger peel if significant heat, redness or sensitivity remains.

Avoid:

• Intense gym sessions
• Running
• Hot yoga
• Heavy sweating

HEAT & WATER EXPOSURE

During the initial recovery period, avoid:

• Saunas
• Steam rooms
• Spa baths
• Very hot showers
• Swimming pools
• Excessive environmental heat

Following stronger peels, wait until the skin surface has adequately healed before swimming.

SUN PROTECTION IS ESSENTIAL

Freshly peeled skin can be particularly vulnerable to UV exposure.

Use broad-spectrum SPF 50+ every day once appropriate following your treatment.

Reapply according to product directions and exposure.

Also:

• Wear a hat
• Seek shade
• Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
• Do not intentionally tan

Sun exposure during the inflammatory healing period can increase the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, particularly in susceptible skin types.

Sun protection should continue long after visible peeling has stopped.

DO NOT PICK YOUR SKIN

Even if peeling skin is hanging or appears ready to come away:

Leave it alone.

Do not cut, pull, scrub or manually remove peeling skin unless specifically instructed by your practitioner.

Allow it to detach naturally.

Picking peeling skin can expose immature skin underneath and increase the risk of:

• Irritation
• Prolonged redness
• Infection
• Pigmentation changes
• Scarring

SHAVING, WAXING & HAIR REMOVAL

Avoid waxing and depilatory creams on the treated area until the skin has completely recovered.

Men should avoid shaving if the skin is actively peeling, significantly irritated or tender.

When shaving is resumed, use a clean razor and avoid repeatedly passing over sensitive areas.

OTHER FACIAL & SKIN TREATMENTS

Do not undergo another advanced skin treatment until your skin has fully recovered.

This includes:

• Microneedling
• RF microneedling
• Laser treatments
• Tixel
• Additional chemical peels
• Dermaplaning
• Waxing
• Other resurfacing procedures

The appropriate interval depends on the type and depth of peel performed and the next procedure being considered.

Contact VÉU before booking another advanced treatment if you're unsure.

WHEN WILL MY SKIN LOOK NORMAL AGAIN?

Because VÉU performs different types and strengths of chemical peels, there is no single recovery timeline.

A general guide is:

Days 1–2
Redness, tightness, warmth or sensitivity may occur.

Days 2–4
Skin may become drier, tighter or temporarily darker.

Days 3–7
Visible flaking or peeling may occur.

Days 7–10
Most superficial-to-moderate peeling should progressively settle.

Beyond Day 10
Following stronger treatments, mild redness, sensitivity or continued shedding may persist.

Your practitioner will advise you if your specific peel is expected to produce a different recovery pattern.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?

Once the initial recovery period has settled, the skin may appear:

• Smoother
• Brighter
• Clearer
• More refined
• More even in tone and texture

Results depend on the peel performed and the concern being treated.

For pigmentation, acne, texture or more advanced skin concerns, a course of treatments and appropriate homecaremay be recommended.

WHAT IS NORMAL — AND WHAT ISN'T?

EXPECTED

Depending on your peel:

• Mild-to-moderate redness
• Warmth
• Tightness
• Dryness
• Sensitivity
• Mild itching
• Flaking
• Peeling
• Temporary darkening of pigmentation

These reactions should generally follow a pattern of progressive recovery.

CONTACT VÉU IF YOU EXPERIENCE:

• Significant or increasing pain
• Severe or rapidly increasing swelling
• Unexpected blistering
• Extensive weeping
• Pus or unusual discharge
• Significant yellow or unusual crusting
• Severe or progressively worsening redness
• Signs of infection
• A rapidly worsening rash
• Unexpected pigmentation changes that concern you
• Any reaction you are unsure about

When contacting VÉU, send clear photographs in natural lighting and include the date and type of peel you received.

For severe symptoms or a medical emergency, seek urgent medical attention.

REMEMBER

Every chemical peel is different.

Your recovery depends on the type of peel, concentration, depth, number of layers and your individual skin response.

The most important rules are:

Keep your skincare simple.
Support your skin barrier.
Wear SPF 50+.
Avoid excessive heat.
Do not exfoliate.
Never pick peeling skin.

And remember:

You do not need to visibly peel for your treatment to have worked.

If you are unsure whether a skincare product or activity is appropriate during your recovery, contact VÉU before proceeding.

VÉU SKIN CLINIC
Professional chemical resurfacing. Considered recovery.