Your in-clinic treatment is only half the equation. What you do — or do not do — in the hours and days that follow can either protect your investment or undermine it entirely. We see this every week: two clients with identical treatments, one following aftercare diligently, one not, with noticeably different outcomes.
The First 24 Hours: Do Nothing
Resist the urge to apply your usual skincare immediately after treatment. The skin barrier is temporarily open and applying active ingredients — vitamin C, retinol, AHAs, BHAs — directly to compromised skin can cause irritation, sensitivity or even chemical burns. In the first 24 hours, use only what your practitioner recommends: typically a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser and nothing else.
Heat Is Your Biggest Enemy
Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot showers, hot yoga and intense exercise for at least 48 hours after any resurfacing treatment. Heat dilates blood vessels and increases inflammation — a state your skin is already in. Excessive heat can worsen redness, extend downtime and in some cases trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in susceptible skin types.
Makeup: When to Reintroduce
For most facial treatments, we recommend waiting at least 24 hours before applying makeup. For deeper peels like the TIMECODE Retinol Yellow Peel, 5–7 days is more appropriate. When you do reintroduce makeup, start with mineral-based products — they are less likely to clog microchannels or trigger breakouts on freshly treated skin.
Signs That Something Is Wrong
Some redness, tightness and mild swelling is entirely normal and resolves within days. Contact us immediately if you experience: spreading redness with warmth (possible infection), blistering, severe pain, white or yellow fluid, or any systemic symptoms like fever. Our aftercare line is always open for clients.
