How to prepare your skin before a chemical peel or microneedling

The results of a peel or microneedling start before you walk in. Skin that is calm, protected and properly prepared responds better and recovers faster. Here is how to get ready.

Why does preparation matter?

Peels and microneedling work by creating controlled stress in the skin so it renews and repairs itself. If your skin is already irritated, sunburnt or thinned by strong products, that controlled stress can tip into unwanted redness, sensitivity or pigmentation. Preparation keeps your skin in the best possible state for the treatment to do its job.

Two weeks before: protect your skin from the sun

Sun exposure before a treatment raises the risk of irritation and uneven pigmentation afterwards. In the two weeks before a peel or microneedling:

• Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, and reapply every two hours when you are outdoors.
• Avoid sunbathing, tanning beds and getting sunburnt.
• If you do get sunburnt, let us know. We will move your appointment rather than treat burnt skin.

South African sun is strong, even in winter, so this step matters here more than in many places. Our sunscreen guide explains how to choose one you will actually wear.

Three days before: pause strong actives

Some home products make the skin more reactive to treatment. Unless your therapist gives you different instructions, stop using these for at least three days before your appointment:

• Retinol and other vitamin A products
• Exfoliating acids such as glycolic, lactic, mandelic or salicylic acid
• Scrubs and exfoliating tools

Keep going with a gentle cleanser, a simple moisturiser and sunscreen. Your skin should feel comfortable, not tight or stripped, on the day.

If you use a prescription skin treatment, do not stop it without speaking to the doctor who prescribed it. Tell us about it at your consultation and we will advise on timing.

What should you tell your therapist?

Be completely open at your consultation. These details can change whether a treatment is safe, which products are used or how deep a treatment goes:

• Any medication, including blood thinners and prescription skin or acne treatments
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea or active breakouts
• A history of raised or keloid scarring, or slow wound healing
• Any recent treatments, including peels, lasers, hair removal or injectables
• Allergies or reactions to skincare in the past

If anything changes between booking and your appointment, tell us on the day. Our article on who shouldn't have peels or microneedling explains why each of these matters.

Should you have a patch test?

For first-time clients, especially before a peel or microneedling, we recommend a patch test. A small amount of product is applied to a discreet area so we can see how your skin reacts before treating your whole face. It is a simple step that adds peace of mind.

On the day: how to arrive

• Come with clean skin and no makeup if you can.
• Skip heavy creams and oils that morning.
• Avoid a hard workout or sauna just before your appointment, so your skin is not already flushed.
• Plan your week. Microneedling usually means 24 to 48 hours of redness, and a peel can bring a few days of light flaking. Avoid booking right before an important event.