If you are preparing for plastic surgery in Chesterfield, MO, you may wonder whether your skincare routine should change before your procedure. Chesterfield Plastic Surgery provides surgical and nonsurgical treatments for patients throughout the St. Louis area, including professional chemical peels and Obagi® skincare products to address specific skin concerns.

What Is Preoperative Skin Care?

Preoperative skincare refers to caring for the skin before surgery. This may include reviewing your current skincare routine, addressing certain skin concerns, and determining whether professional treatments are appropriate before your procedure.

Patients may want to address concerns such as:

  • Sun damage
  • Uneven pigmentation
  • Dryness
  • Rough skin texture
  • Excess oil or congestion

A preoperative skincare plan should not be separated from your surgical plan. Some professional treatments cause temporary redness, peeling, or irritation. These effects may affect when a treatment should be performed before surgery.

Can You Get a Chemical Peel Before Plastic Surgery?

A chemical peel before plastic surgery may be appropriate for some patients, but the timing and type of peel matter. Chemical peels use a chemical solution to exfoliate the skin and address selected surface-level concerns. The depth of the peel affects the expected recovery period.

At Chesterfield Plastic Surgery, professional chemical peels may be used to address selected skin concerns before surgery. The type of peel and timing of treatment depend on your skin and the procedure you are planning. These treatments differ in their depth, application, and expected recovery. A lighter peel may involve limited downtime, while a deeper peel may require a longer period of peeling and skin recovery.

Because the skin may be temporarily more sensitive after a chemical peel, treatment should be scheduled with the planned surgery in mind.

How Long Before Surgery Should You Get a Chemical Peel?

There is no single answer to how long before surgery you should get a chemical peel. The appropriate timing depends on:

  • The type of chemical peel
  • The depth of treatment
  • Your individual skin response
  • The type of surgery you are having
  • The amount of time available before surgery

A lighter peel and a deeper TCA peel do not have the same recovery period. For this reason, patients should discuss the timing of a chemical peel before surgery with their surgeon and skincare provider before scheduling treatment. A chemical peel should not be performed immediately before plastic surgery without appropriate medical guidance.

Using Obagi® Products Before Plastic Surgery

A consistent skincare routine may also be part of pre-surgery skin care. Obagi® offers medical-grade skincare products designed to address specific skin concerns, including uneven pigmentation, sun damage, dryness, and changes in skin texture.

Depending on your needs, Obagi® products may be used as part of an ongoing skincare routine. The products selected should be appropriate for your skin and the concerns being addressed. If you are preparing for plastic surgery, tell your surgical team about the products you currently use. Some skincare products may need to be adjusted or paused before surgery.

Should You Stop Using Obagi® Products Before Surgery?

Not necessarily. There is no single rule that applies to every Obagi® product or every surgical procedure. Some patients may be able to continue using certain products, while others may need to temporarily modify their routine. Patients should follow the instructions provided by their surgical team rather than stopping or continuing products based on general advice.

Do not begin a new active skincare product or treatment shortly before surgery without discussing it with your care team.

Chemical Peels or Obagi® Skincare: Which Comes First?

Chemical peels and Obagi® products have different roles in a skincare plan. A chemical peel is a professional treatment performed at a specific time. It exfoliates the skin and may address selected concerns. Depending on the type of peel, the skin may need time to recover afterward. Obagi® products are used as part of an at-home skincare routine. They may be recommended for ongoing management of certain skin concerns.

Some patients may benefit from a chemical peel. Others may use skincare products as part of a longer-term routine. In some cases, both may be appropriate at different points in the patient’s skincare plan.

Personalized Preoperative Skin Care in Chesterfield, MO

Preoperative skincare is not the same for every patient. Some patients may benefit from a professional chemical peel, while others may be better suited to a consistent home skincare routine.

At Chesterfield Plastic Surgery, Dr. Scott Geiger and Dr. John Hulsen consider the patient’s planned procedure and individual goals when developing a surgical plan. Patients should discuss their current skincare routine, previous skin treatments, and any concerns about their skin during their consultation.

Schedule a Consultation at Chesterfield Plastic Surgery

If you are preparing for plastic surgery in Chesterfield, MO, discuss your current skincare routine and any planned treatments during your consultation. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your procedure, skincare concerns, and how to prepare for surgery.