Level II Peel Recovery
Your guide after a Level II chemical peel for moderate pigmentation and texture. Plan on 5 to 7 days of visible flaking and peeling.
The first few hours
Your skin may feel warm, tight, and look pink. Some stinging can last a short while.
If your provider left the solution on your skin, leave it on until the time they gave you. Otherwise, wait until tonight to cleanse.
What to expect, day by day
- Day 0
Warm and tight
Pinkness, warmth, and tightness. Skin may feel a little sensitive to the touch.
- Cleanse gently tonight with lukewarm water
- Apply a gentle moisturizer or the post-peel product we gave you
- Days 1–2
Tight, shiny, darker
Skin feels tight and may look shiny or leathery. Pigment often looks darker before it lifts.
- Moisturize often
- Wear mineral SPF 30+ every morning and stay out of the sun
- Days 3–5
Flaking and peeling
Visible flaking and peeling, often starting around the mouth and nose and moving outward. Skin underneath may be pink.
- Keep skin moisturized
- Carefully snip larger loose flakes with clean scissors if needed. Don’t pull them.
- Days 5–7
Fresh, even skin
Peeling finishes and reveals brighter, smoother, more even-toned skin. It may stay slightly pink for a few days.
- Weeks 2–4
Tone keeps evening out
Pigment continues to fade. A series of peels gives the best results for stubborn spots.
Do & don’t
Do
- Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer only
- Wear mineral SPF 30+ daily, reapply, and wear a hat
- Keep skin hydrated
- Follow any home-care instructions your provider gave you
Don’t
- Pick, pull, or peel flaking skin
- Use scrubs, retinol, acids, or vitamin C for 7 days
- Work out or sweat for 48 hours
- Use hot tubs, saunas, or steam for 72 hours
- Wax, thread, or use hair removal cream for 7–10 days
- Tan or sit in direct sun for 2 weeks
When can I…
| Wear makeup (mineral) | After 24–48 hours, if not peeling |
| Work out or sweat | After 48 hours |
| Sauna, hot tub, steam | After 72 hours |
| Restart retinol, acids, vitamin C | After 7 days, once peeling ends |
| Wax or thread | After 7–10 days |
Call us if you notice
- Blisters, crusting, or raw open areas
- Burning, redness, or swelling that gets worse instead of better
- Yellow crusting or pus
- Itching with a rash or hives
- A cold sore outbreak
- New dark patches after peeling is done
Healing is part of the result. You’re right on track.
Bocaba Medical Spa · 8371 South State Street, Suite 102, Sandy, UT · Follow any specific instructions your provider gave you.