Procedure Skincare Part 1: How to Prep Your Skin Before a Peel, Laser, or Microneedling

When you invest in skin treatments, including chemical peels, laser treatments, or microneedling, you want to get the most benefit. How you care for your skin in the weeks before your procedure can support healthier, more resilient skin and better results. 

Pre-procedure skincare might look a little different than your day-to-day routine, and we’ll cover all the details in today’s article. Keep reading to learn more about preparing your skin for medical spa treatments, including: 

• Why your pre-procedure skincare routine matters 
• What is a chemical peel? What does a chemical peel do?
• What is microneedling? What does microneedling do?
• Skincare ingredients to include in your procedure skin prep
• Chemical peel vs. microneedling – how skin prep may differ
• A step-by-step pre-procedure routine from NassifMD® facial plastic surgeon skincare
• Procedure prep FAQs

Why Prepping Your Skin Before a Procedure Changes the Results

Going into a skin procedure with healthy, nourished, and hydrated skin supports skin healing and may improve the results. 

Skincare treatments aim to resurface the skin by challenging and disrupting it, producing results through the healing process. Therefore, you don’t want to go into a medical spa procedure with irritated, damaged, or otherwise compromised skin. 

You’ll get the best results when your skin is hydrated, calm, and nourished, which may require adjusting your typical routine. While the exact strategy may depend on your procedure, individual concerns, and aesthetician’s advice, start by simplifying your routine and removing irritation. 

What is a Chemical Peel, and How Does Microneedling Work?

A chemical peel uses chemical exfoliants to remove the outer layers of skin, whereas microneedling creates small wounds in the skin to stimulate collagen production and healing. 

Chemical peels are a popular, non-invasive medical spa treatment. They vary in strength and depth and often contain concentrated alpha and beta hydroxy acids. After the treatment, damaged surface skin peels off, and the new skin below matures. Chemical peel benefits may include:

• Smoother skin texture 
• Brighter skin appearance
• More even skin tone, reduced hyperpigmentation 
• Improved appearance

While at-home chemical peels are available (and sometimes preferred), stronger, deeper treatments require professional care. 

Microneedling is another popular skin procedure. It uses fine needles to create micro-injuries that stimulate the skin’s repair processes. The micro-channels it creates also allow for deeper delivery of active skincare ingredients, which can support the process. As the skin repairs, it produces more collagen and elastin, strengthening the skin. Consult a qualified medical provider to determine whether professional microneedling is appropriate for your skin. 

Microneedling benefits may include:

• Smoother skin texture
• Reduced appearance of acne scars
• Reduced fine lines
• Improved appearance

What to Stop Using Before a Chemical Peel or Laser Treatment

Before a medical spa treatment, it’s helpful to pause some anti-aging ingredients and at-home treatments to avoid overloading the skin and to go into the procedure with calm, hydrated skin. 

While strong active ingredients may be a part of your daily or weekly at-home routine, your medical spa provider may want you to temporarily reduce or stop certain products before your chemical peel or laser treatment. Potential products and treatments to pause include: 

• Chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid
• Facial scrubs 
• Strong exfoliating treatments 
• At-home chemical peels 
• Microneedling at home
• Prescription or clinical-strength retinol products (ask your provider) 
• Any products that irritate your skin 

You don’t automatically need to stop all retinol products. Some skin types can continue a gentle hydrating serum with retinol, such as NassifMD® Hydro-Screen Serum, while pausing additional, stronger products. Always follow the guidance of your dermatologist, aesthetician, or prescribing provider. 

The Best Ingredients to Strengthen Your Skin Barrier Beforehand

Choose pre-procedure skincare ingredients that nourish and strengthen the skin barrier, hydrate and moisturize, and protect the skin with antioxidants and mineral SPF. 

Here are some of the best pre-procedure actives, their roles, and where you’ll find them. 

Chemical Peel Vs. Microneedling: How Prep Differs for Each

It can help to focus on what your skin needs before each procedure to determine how to prepare. 

While your provider may recommend a specific protocol, here is some general guidance:

• Before a chemical peel: Focus on hydration, barrier repair, and sun protection. Follow provider guidance for skin priming. 
  
• Before microneedling: Focus on maintaining clean, calm, and healthy skin, and avoiding irritation.
  
• Before a laser treatment: Focus on hydration, sun protection/avoidance, and barrier support. Follow your provider’s guidance on skin priming, depending on your specific treatment. 

A Two-Week Pre-Procedure Skincare Routine, Step by Step

In the two weeks before your medical spa procedure, follow the same skincare routine order you usually use, with a simplified routine. 

Morning Routine: 

1. Cleanse with NassifMD® Pure Hydration Gentle Facial Cleanser
2. Apply a hydrating serum: NassifMD® Hydro-Screen Serum 
3. Moisturizer with barrier support: NassifMD® Skin Barrier Protection Cream 
4. Apply sunscreen: NassifMD® Shield & Smooth Mineral SPF 40

Evening Routine: 

1. Cleanse with NassifMD® Pure Hydration Gentle Facial Cleanser
2. Apply a hydrating serum: NassifMD® Hydro-Screen Serum 
3. Moisturizer with barrier support: NassifMD® Skin Barrier Protection Cream 

To simplify even more, check out NassifMD® Pre-Operative Routine, which bundles our most popular pre-procedure products and offers a cost savings. 

No matter what medical spa treatment you choose for your skin goals, it’s worth considering how you care for your skin in the weeks leading up to your procedure. Taking this time to focus on skin health sets you up for a successful procedure and recovery. Instead of adding more products to your routine, simplify and return to the basics of hydration, nourishment, and protection with NassifMD® Skincare. 

FAQs

How should you prepare your skin before a chemical peel?

Focus on gentle cleansing, hydration, barrier support, and SPF protection, while skipping harsh exfoliation and at-home peels for a couple of weeks. 

How long before a procedure should you stop using retinol?

The time before a procedure to stop using retinol will depend on your specific treatment, skin type, and practitioner guidance. In some cases, you’ll want to completely stop retinol for a week or two before your treatment. In other cases, your practitioner may recommend retinol as part of your pre-treatment protocol, such as NassifMD® Hydro-Screen Serum, which combines retinol with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. 

Can you exfoliate before a chemical peel or microneedling?

Don’t increase exfoliation before a chemical peel or microneedling. Your provider may recommend decreasing or stopping exfoliating treatments for a week or two before your procedure. 

Does prepping your skin improve chemical peel results?

Appropriate skin prep before a chemical peel helps improve skin health and hydration, which can help reduce side effects and improve the results of the treatment. 

What should you avoid the week before a laser treatment?

Avoid sun exposure and exfoliating products before a laser treatment. Your provider will give you specific guidance regarding retinol and prescription skincare products. 

References

1. Soleymani, T., Lanoue, J., & Rahman, Z. (2018). A Practical Approach to Chemical Peels: A Review of Fundamentals and Step-by-step Algorithmic Protocol for Treatment. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 11(8), 21–28.
2. Ciozda, A., Firlej, E., Kowalska, W., Kwiatkowska, M., & Bartosiñska, J. (2025). Micro-needling: current state of knowledge and clinical applications: a review. Postepy dermatologii i alergologii, 42(5), 439–443.