The peel itself only takes a few minutes and requires no numbing, however the skin is cleansed prior to the peel. Slight stinging may occur and redness is a common short term side-effect. After 2-3 days patients can expect peeling and flaking of the skin as dead skin cells are shed; however, soreness and irritation are not common side-effects of the Perfect Derma Peel. After about six days, your skin will stop flaking and you’ll notice a new layer of clear, smooth GLOWING skin. Downtime is not necessary for most people having this treatment, but some people prefer to take a few days off of work for cosmetic reasons. Prolonged sun exposure should be avoided for a few weeks and mineral based sunscreen with SPF50 or higher should be worn daily. Remember that healing skin is more vulnerable and will burn more easily. We love Skinbetter Science Sunbetter products, ask us about Smart Tone SPF75, it is a wonderful SPF that matches all skin tones. Chemical Peels work best when repeated 3-4 times for best results. The exact number of treatments needed depends on skin goals, age, and what specific skin concerns our patients want to address.