If you’re considering a chemical peel at JustBe Aesthetics in Claremont, Cape Town, knowing exactly what to expect before, during and after your treatment will help you feel completely prepared and confident. Furthermore, understanding your treatment journey ensures you get the very best results from every session.
With over 30 years of skin expertise, Belinda Kingsley guides every client through their chemical peel journey with care, honesty and complete transparency — because an informed client always gets better results.
Before Your Chemical Peel
Before your chemical peel treatment at JustBe Aesthetics, Belinda will conduct a thorough skin consultation to assess your skin type, skin tone, skin concerns and treatment goals. Because every skin is different, this consultation is essential — it determines which peel is most appropriate for you, what strength is suitable and what results you can realistically expect.
Please prepare for your treatment by:
- Arriving with clean skin — free of makeup, SPF and skincare products ✅
- Avoiding retinol and vitamin A products for at least 5 to 7 days before treatment ✅
- Avoiding exfoliating acids — AHA and BHA — for at least 5 to 7 days before treatment ✅
- Avoiding direct sun exposure and tanning for at least 2 weeks before treatment ✅
- Avoiding waxing or any hair removal on the treatment area for at least 1 week before ✅
- Staying well hydrated in the days leading up to your treatment ✅
- Informing Belinda of any medications you are currently taking ✅
- Informing Belinda if you are prone to cold sores ✅
- Furthermore, if you are booked for the Elaine Brennan Skin Renewal Peel — which requires a full week of downtime — please plan your treatment date carefully around your personal and professional commitments. Additionally, a thorough consultation is mandatory before this treatment and cannot be skipped.
On the day of your chemical peel treatment at JustBe Aesthetics, your skin will be thoroughly cleansed and prepared before the peel solution is carefully applied. Because different peels work at different depths, the application process and sensation varies depending on which peel you are receiving.
What you may feel during your treatment:
A mild tingling or warming sensation — completely normal ✅
A slight stinging feeling as the peel solution activates ✅
Some clients experience a mild itching sensation ✅
Deeper peels may feel more intense — Belinda will ensure your comfort throughout ✅
Furthermore, a neutralising solution is applied at the precise moment to stop the peel working — this is a critical step that Belinda manages with great care and expertise. As a result, you can be completely confident that your treatment is being administered safely and professionally at all times.
The duration of your treatment depends on which peel you are receiving. Additionally, the Elaine Brennan Skin Renewal Peel is applied over two days as part of its specific treatment protocol — Belinda will explain this fully at your consultation.
Immediately After Your Chemical Peel
Immediately following your chemical peel treatment, your skin may appear pink to red and feel warm, tight and slightly sensitive. This is completely normal and is a sign that the peel is actively working. Furthermore, the degree of redness and sensitivity depends on which peel you received — a superficial Micro Peel will produce minimal redness while a deeper Skin Renewal Peel will produce a more significant initial response.
Immediately after your treatment:
- A soothing post peel serum and SPF will be applied before you leave ✅
- Avoid touching or rubbing your skin ✅
- Avoid applying any additional skincare products without Belinda’s guidance ✅
- Drink plenty of water to support your skin’s healing process ✅
- Go home and rest if possible — especially after deeper peel treatments ✅
Days 1 to 7 — Recovery & Peeling
In the days following your chemical peel, your skin may begin to peel and shed as part of the natural renewal process. Furthermore, this peeling is a sign that your treatment is working — old damaged skin is shedding to reveal fresh, renewed skin underneath. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that you do NOT pick, peel or force the skin to shed — this can cause scarring and pigmentation.
NOT ALL peels will result in peeling or shedding. Some may result in a few days of skin feeling a little dryer than usual others may flake.
This will be discussed with you before your treatment.
What to expect during recovery:
Superficial Micro Peel — little to no downtime
Most clients experience minimal peeling and can return to normal activities almost immediately. Additionally, some mild dryness and flaking may occur over the first 2 to 3 days — this is completely normal and manageable with a gentle moisturiser.
Elaine Brennan Skin Renewal Peel — one full week downtime
Because this is a deeper, more intensive treatment, a full week of downtime should be expected and planned for. Furthermore, significant peeling and shedding will occur during this period — this is a completely normal and essential part of the renewal process. Therefore, we strongly recommend planning this treatment for a period when you can stay at home comfortably for the full week.
During your recovery period please avoid:
❌ Picking or peeling your skin — absolutely non negotiable
❌ Makeup — for as long as possible during the peeling phase
❌ Retinol and exfoliating acids — for at least 7 to 10 days post treatment
❌ Direct sun exposure — your skin is extremely vulnerable post peel
❌ Swimming pools, saunas and steam rooms — for at least 1 week
❌ Strenuous exercise causing heavy sweating — for at least 48 hours
✅ Do wear SPF 50 every single day — non negotiable
✅ Do keep skin well hydrated with a gentle fragrance free moisturiser
✅ Do follow Belinda’s personalised post treatment homecare plan carefully
Long term results
Because chemical peels work by stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production and accelerating cell renewal, results develop and improve over time. Furthermore, the most significant improvements are typically visible 2 to 4 weeks after your treatment — as fresh new skin fully emerges and collagen continues to build beneath the surface.
Over a course of chemical peel treatments, clients typically experience:
- Visibly reduced pigmentation and melasma ✅
- Clearer, smoother acne scarred skin ✅
- Reduced fine lines and wrinkles ✅
- More even, balanced skin tone ✅
- Improved overall skin texture and radiance ✅
- Fresher, younger looking skin ✅
- Reduced sun damage and photodamage ✅
- Additionally, results are significantly enhanced when chemical peels are alternated with Dermapen 4 microneedling as part of a progressive treatment plan — ask Belinda about our alternating peel and microneedling protocol at your consultation.
Post Treatment Care — Why It Matters
Furthermore, post treatment care is not optional — it is an essential part of your results. Because your skin is in active repair and renewal mode following a chemical peel, how you care for it in the days and weeks after your treatment directly impacts your final results.
Therefore, Belinda will provide you with a fully personalised post treatment homecare plan at every appointment — ensuring you get the absolute best from your chemical peel treatment at JustBe Aesthetics.