What’s the Recovery Like on a Chemical Peel?

The Obagi Blue Peel is a more aggressive chemical peel based on the same combination of chemicals mentioned above. Because this peel strips away more of the skin, we will apply a numbing agent to the area before performing the treatment. This more aggressive approach works on those deeper forms of damage that a Blue Radiance Peel can’t quite reach—acne scars, other forms of facial scarring, very dark age spots, etc.

Of course, a more aggressive procedure results in a longer recovery. You’ll likely experience severe redness and swelling in the treated area, as well as a burning and/or throbbing sensation. You will not be able to apply cosmetics for the first week after your treatment.

We’ll apply a protective ointment to prevent dryness. You should use ice packs to reduce pain and swelling, as well as over-the-counter pain medications (such as Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, etc.) as needed to manage your pain. As the swelling diminishes, your skin will form a crust, which may include darkened blotches of skin. After the first week, you can use gentle cosmetics to cover any redness, and you can typically return most normal activities after 7-10 days; treated areas will take up to 2 weeks to fully heal, but redness can last for months.

The results of an Obagi Blue Peel last longer than those of an Obagi Blue Radiance Peel, but you may need to repeat the procedure to achieve the desired results; this all depends on the level of damage you’re trying to treat. We will gladly consult with you and help you to determine how many peels you will need to treat your skin issues.