Ok, so I am putting myself out there with this post. I always recommend peels to patients and friends as a great way to refresh the skin for a reasonable cost. The biggest downside of a peel is that you peel. So here is what I look like Day 3 through Day 10 of a peel. I didn’t include Day 1 , 2 and 3 for two reasons: 1. You don’t look much different on Day 1 and Day 2, if anything your skin looks a little tighter and a bit bronzed. Peeling doesn’t start until late Day 3 or Day 4. 2. I didn’t think of this blog post until Day 3. My bad.

So what do I mean by Day 1, 2, 3 etc? Here is the breakdown:

Day 1: The day you apply the peel. I generally apply on Wednesday evening and leave it on all night. I use a peel that recommends leaving on for 6-8 hours, so overnight is perfect. Some peels require removal after just a few minutes. For this peel I used The Rejuvenize Peel by Skin Medica, this is currently my favorite peel

Day 2: The day after the peel is applied. Your skin might look a bit red, bronzed or “glowing.”

Day 3: Peeling usually starts late in the evening on this day- about 48 hours after putting the peel on. I try to time this so that peeling starts late Friday afternoon or evening, so as to minimize the number of patients who ask me (or just think to themselves) if I have a sunburn.

Day 4-5: heavy peeling. This is when my kids ask “did you do a peel?”

Day 6-7: light peeling. This is usually Monday and Tuesday, so I hope peeling is minimal now. Usually it works out this way.

Day 8-10: skin is a bit pink but back to normal

Here is the photo journal – all photos are without makeup. 

Day 4: Saturday. Peeling has set in for real.

4 Real peeling has set in. I look like a peeled tomato. My mother in law asked if I did something to my face. I am sure several people at spin class wondered if I had a communicable disease

Day 5: Sunday. I look scary.

Happy Fathers Day. Look pretty pink and peely today. Will Dad notice?

My incognito gear. So I don’t scare anyone on the Bainbridge Ferry.

Day 6: Monday. I have to go to work today…

Monday. Usually I don’t look this red on Monday. I wear green to try and offset the red. Who am I kidding?

Day 7: Tuesday

In 24 hours my skin has made a miraculous recovery- I actually look somewhat normal, just a little pink.

Day 8: Wednesday- one full week after putting on the peel.

One week after I started the peel my skin is back to normal. No makeup needed for camouflage at work.