Chemical peel aftercare: the first 72 hours after our Anti-Aging Facial

You just did a 90-minute Anti-Aging Facial with an AHA peel, kinetic dermabrasion, lymphatic drainage, facial massage, dual masks, scalp massage, and an ampule infusion. Now the biggest rule for the first 72 hours is simple: protect your skin from heat and sun. That means no direct sun, no hot water on the face, and no heavy sweating. Encino’s warm Valley days make this extra important, even when it doesn’t feel like “beach weather.”

0–24 hours: keep your chemical peel calm and boring

Right after an AHA peel, your skin often looks a little flushed or feels “tight.” That’s normal. Your job that day is to keep everything gentle so you don’t stir up extra irritation.

Do this

• Use cool or lukewarm water only. Hot showers and steamy bathrooms tend to make redness linger.
• Cleanse gently if you need to, using a mild, non-scrubby cleanser. Pat dry. No washcloth exfoliation.
• Moisturize with something simple and fragrance-free. If your skin feels tight, apply a second light layer instead of rubbing harder.
• Use broad-spectrum SPF in the morning. If you’ll be outside in Encino, reapply about every 2 hours.
• If you feel heat or irritation, use a cool compress for a few minutes at a time.

Skip this

• Workouts that make you sweat heavily. Sweat and heat can sting after a peel.
• Saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and very hot showers.
• Makeup the same day if you can avoid it. If you have to wear something, keep it light and remove it gently at night.
• Retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, scrubs, or at-home devices.

24–72 hours: what to do if you get a peeling chemical peel phase

Some people barely peel after an AHA peel, and some get light flaking around the mouth and nose. Both are common. The key is to let flakes fall off on their own. Picking is one of the fastest ways to end up with raw spots.

Keep doing the basics: gentle cleanse, moisturize, SPF. If you’re out at Encino parks, heading to a farmers market, or doing a sunny hike near the Santa Monica Mountains, hat plus SPF is your best friend. And yes, heat counts too. If you can feel your face getting warm, it’s time to get in the shade.

Sweat and water rules that save results

• Avoid heavy exercise for 48–72 hours. A gentle walk is usually fine if you stay cool.
• Skip chlorinated pools for 48–72 hours. Chlorine tends to sting and dry you out.
• Ocean water can be irritating too, so we generally recommend waiting at least 48–72 hours.

“I was worried about the peel part, but it was way more manageable once I kept it moisturized and stayed out of the sun.”

– a recent first-time visitor

Days 4–7: keep actives out, keep SPF in

After the first 72 hours, most people feel “back to normal, ” and that’s where mistakes happen. Your skin barrier is still settling. We generally recommend you keep the same gentle routine through the first week.

When can you restart actives? Often it’s 7–14 days depending on how your skin feels and how strong your peel was that day. If you’re unsure, send us a quick message. We’d rather guide you than have you guess.

The simple product lineup we want you on after an AHA peel

You don’t need a complicated shelf right now. You need a calm routine that protects the work we did in the room.

• Cleanser: gentle, non-foaming or lightly foaming, no fragrance.
• Moisturizer: simple barrier support. If you’re dry, apply more often instead of adding actives.
• SPF: broad-spectrum every morning. A zinc-oxide, mineral SPF is often a good choice right after peels because it tends to feel less stingy.
• Optional: a hydrating serum that doesn’t tingle. If it stings, pause it.

And if you came in searching “chemical peel near me” because you’re chasing visible change, this is the part that keeps your results looking even. The peel is only step one. The calm routine after is what protects the glow.

If you’re dealing with sun-related aging, you might also like our guide on anti-aging facials for sun damage. It explains how we think about spots, texture, and that “tired” look that shows up fast in Encino sun.

When to reach out to our Encino team (and what’s not normal)

Mild redness, tightness, and light flaking are usually fine after an AHA peel. What we don’t want you doing is waiting it out if something feels off.

We’ve been doing this work in Encino for 6 years. We’ll tell you what’s normal, what to change tonight, and when we want to see you back for a quick check.

“They explained exactly what to do at home, and I felt taken care of even after I left.”

– one of our regulars

If you’re planning your next facial, our seasonal roundup of best facial treatments in Encino can help you pick the right timing.

A note on stronger peels (trichloroacetic peel questions)

People ask us about a trichloroacetic peel because they’ve heard it can be more intense. Our Anti-Aging Facial includes an AHA peel, and aftercare is still important. If you’re comparing peel types or trying to decide what’s right for your skin, start with our guide to best facials in Encino for summer. Then talk with our therapists so we can match your goal and your downtime comfort level.