Chemical Peels in the Summer
Okay babes, let’s set the record straight.
Yes, you can get a chemical peel in the summer. You just need to approach it with a little more care.
There’s this belief that once the weather warms up, you have to stop all skin treatments. But if you’ve been doing a peel series through the fall and winter, now is when consistency matters most. That glow doesn’t maintain itself.
Summer doesn’t mean your skincare journey is on hold. It means your approach might shift. You may need to opt for lighter peels, prioritize aftercare, and be more mindful of sun exposure and outdoor activities. But stopping altogether? That’s how you lose progress.
In this post, we’re breaking down:
Why skin treatments are still important during summer
What types of chemical peels are safest for hot weather
What to avoid after a summer peel
And how to keep your results strong through the season
Whether you're an esthetician educating clients or someone trying to make the most of your skincare investment, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of what’s possible during the sunny months.
Now, let’s dive in!
Why You Shouldn’t Stop Skin Treatments in the Summer
It’s a common misconception that you need to stop professional skin treatments, like chemical peels, once summer hits. In reality, continuing your treatments during the summer is one of the best ways to protect and maintain the results you’ve already invested in.
If you’ve spent the fall and winter doing chemical peels, using retinol, and rebuilding your skin barrier, hitting pause in the summer can slow your progress — or even set you back.
Here’s why staying consistent matters:
1. You’re protecting the time, money, and energy you’ve already spent.
Skin transformation takes time. If you’ve been working through a peel series, summer is when you maintain those results. Stopping now means you might be starting over come fall.
2. Your skin still needs support, no matter the season.
Heat, sun exposure, sweat, and sunscreen buildup can all affect your skin. Acne, pigmentation, texture…these concerns don’t disappear when the weather changes. Skipping treatments can leave your skin vulnerable just when it needs the most attention.
3. Summer isn’t a break from skincare. It’s just a shift.
You may need to modify your treatments or avoid certain ingredients, but that’s very different from stopping completely. With the right plan, you can stay consistent and keep your skin healthy, balanced, and glowing all summer long.
How to Safely Get a Chemical Peel During Summer
Now that we’ve cleared up why treatments shouldn’t stop when the seasons change, let’s talk about how to make them work for you during the hotter months.
Summer skincare isn’t about skipping, it’s about being smart.When it comes to summer skincare, it's not about skipping your routine, it's about making intelligent choices. You can absolutely keep up with chemical peels, but your approach needs to reflect the shift in weather, sun exposure, and lifestyle. Here’s how to do it safely.
1. Don’t schedule a peel right before a vacation
If you’re heading out of town to a sunny destination, be strategic about when you book your peel. Sun exposure, heat, and outdoor activities can interfere with the healing process, especially if your skin is still in the post-peel recovery phase.
If you're planning to get a peel before a trip, aim to schedule it at least 10 to 14 days in advance. This gives your skin time to fully recover, shed, and settle before being exposed to sun, water, or travel-related stress. For medium-depth peels or if your skin tends to be reactive, two full weeks is ideal.
If timing is tight, it may be better to schedule your peel after you return. This gives you more flexibility to enjoy your trip without worrying about downtime or exposure, and allows us to treat your skin once you’re back and ready to refocus on your routine.
Not sure which is better? Bring it up when you book. We’ll look at your travel dates, your skin goals, and your current routine to make sure the timing works in your favor.
2. Opt for gentler peel options
Not all chemical peels are aggressive or high-risk for summer. In fact, lighter, professionally selected peels can be incredibly effective for maintaining your glow while minimizing sensitivity—especially when you’re working with a trained esthetician who understands your skin history.
At Enlightened Beauty, we customize each peel based on your skin’s current condition, your lifestyle, and your long-term goals. For summer months, we often lean into enzyme peels, lactic acid blends, or progressive exfoliants that resurface the skin without causing intense peeling or extended downtime.
These options are ideal for:
Brightening dull or sun-stressed skin
Managing mild congestion or breakouts
Smoothing texture without over-exfoliating
Supporting barrier health while staying consistent
If you’re mid-way through a peel series or just want to maintain results from earlier in the year, we can adjust your treatment plan rather than pause it completely.
3. Prioritize your post-peel care
Your results depend just as much on aftercare as they do on the treatment itself. We always provide a full post-peel plan, and following it is non-negotiable—especially in warmer weather.
Here’s what we recommend:
Wear a wide-brim hat and avoid direct sun for at least 5 to 7 days
Reapply SPF every 2 hours when outside
Let your skin peel naturally, no picking
Use your recovery products exactly as directed
Pause actives like retinol and exfoliants until your skin has fully healed
If you’re not in a place to follow this routine, it’s better to wait. Aftercare is what protects your glow, your barrier, and your long-term results.
4. Talk to your esthetician before you book
Don’t guess your way through summer skincare. Check in first.
Your skin isn’t the same every month, and your treatment plan shouldn’t be either. If you’ve got travel coming up, you’re changing products at home, or your skin’s been acting different, let us know before you book a peel.
At Enlightened Beauty, we look at the full picture. Your lifestyle, your skin history, your goals. A quick check-in helps us make sure you’re getting the right treatment at the right time with the right prep. This is how you get long-term results — not by winging it, but by working with someone who actually knows your skin.
Other Skin Treatments to Consider During Summer
If your skin isn’t in the right place for a chemical peel, or if you have a vacation on the calendar, that doesn’t mean you should go without professional care. In fact, summer is one of the most important times to stay consistent, especially if you’ve already put in the work with peels or active ingredients earlier in the year.
When deeper exfoliation isn’t appropriate, I guide clients toward treatments that focus on supporting the skin, calming inflammation, and maintaining results without triggering sensitivity.
Here’s what I recommend most often:
Glacial FX for inflammation, hydration, and glow
Glacial FX is one of my favorite tools for summer skin. The cooling technology helps reduce heat in the skin, which is especially important this time of year. It also delivers targeted serums to hydrate, brighten, and calm. It’s gentle enough for reactive or recently treated skin but still delivers visible results.
I typically use Glacial FX in two ways, depending on your goals:
Glacial Glow is a great stand-alone option when your skin just needs a refresh. Whether you’re breaking out from sunscreen and sweat or noticing dullness, this is a no-downtime way to reset your skin and keep it balanced.
Shaved Ice combines dermaplaning with Glacial FX. It’s perfect if you want that ultra-smooth, glassy look. First, we remove dead skin and peach fuzz, then follow with Glacial FX to cool, calm, and brighten. This one is a favorite before events or anytime you want a clean slate.
Barrier Repair Facial for compromised or overworked skin
If your skin has been through a lot from peels, actives, travel, or heat, it may need more repair than exfoliation. That’s where the Barrier Repair Facial comes in. This treatment focuses on rebuilding the skin’s protective layer, calming inflammation, and restoring hydration.
It’s ideal if you’re feeling dry, flakey, sensitive, or a little out of balance from product use or sun exposure. Think of it as a reset that helps your skin feel strong, supported, and calm without pushing it further.
The goal for summer skincare isn’t to stop. It’s to pivot with intention. You can keep showing up for your skin and get results, it just takes the right treatment plan.
Can Your Skin Stay Sensitive After Retinol or Peels?
One of the biggest mistakes I see in summer is assuming that if you stop getting treatments, your skin is suddenly less sensitive. That’s just not how it works.
If you’ve been using retinol, doing chemical peels, or even exfoliating regularly at home, your skin is already in a more active, vulnerable state. That doesn’t go away overnight just because you paused your appointments. In fact, your skin may still be more reactive to heat, sun exposure, and environmental stress, even if you’re not currently doing anything aggressive.
This is especially important for clients who’ve been consistent through the cooler months and then drop everything once summer hits. The skin doesn’t go back to “normal” just because you take a break. And if you’re spending more time outside, that sensitivity becomes even more important to manage.
Your skin still needs care. Daily SPF, hydration, antioxidant support, and barrier protection become non-negotiables when the weather heats up. Whether you’re continuing treatments or just focusing on maintenance, the goal is to keep your skin supported so you don’t lose the progress you’ve already made.
What to Avoid After a Chemical Peel in Summer (and How to Book Smart)
If you decide to move forward with a chemical peel during the summer, timing and aftercare are everything. The treatment itself is just one part of the process, what you do afterward can make or break your results.
Here are a few things I always coach clients to avoid after a peel, especially when it’s hot out:
1. Direct sun exposure
Avoid laying out in the sun, especially in the first 5 to 7 days post-peel. Even with sunscreen, your skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation after exfoliation. A wide-brimmed hat, shade, and minimal sun time are your best friends during recovery.
2. Heat and sweat
Skip the hot yoga, intense workouts, saunas, and anything that causes your skin to overheat. Heat can prolong inflammation and slow down the healing process.
3. Water-heavy environments
Pools, lakes, beaches, and even long showers can expose freshly peeled skin to bacteria or strip away moisture. If you’ve got a trip planned, it’s better to schedule your peel at least two weeks before or wait until after you return.
4. Overuse of actives
This is not the time to layer on your retinol, AHAs, or exfoliating toners. Stick to a simple, hydrating post-care routine and let your skin focus on repair.
Book with intention, not just convenience
The best time to get a peel in the summer is when your schedule allows for proper recovery. That means a few days without major plans, limited sun exposure, and time to truly care for your skin. If you’re unsure, check in with your esthetician first. A quick conversation about your lifestyle and skin history can help determine whether a peel, a gentler alternative, or a maintenance treatment is the better move.
Your skin doesn’t need perfection, it needs consistency, care, and a strategy that works for where you are right now. Whether that’s a chemical peel, a Glacial FX treatment, or a few months of barrier support, summer skincare isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing what makes sense for your skin.
Final Thoughts from an Esthetician
You don’t need to pause your skin treatments just because the weather shifts. What matters most is having a plan that evolves with your skin and your lifestyle, one that takes sun exposure, travel, and sensitivity into account, without losing sight of your long-term goals.
As an esthetician, I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all skincare. I believe in consistency, education, and strategy. Whether you’re continuing a peel series or shifting toward treatments like Glacial FX or barrier repair, the goal is always to support your skin where it’s at, not where it used to be.
If you’ve already invested time and care into your skin, don’t let seasonal myths or scheduling confusion set you back. Prebooking your peels and treatments in advance gives you the flexibility to plan around life, while keeping your skin on track.
Not sure what your next step should be? Reach out. We can build a treatment schedule that fits both your goals and your reality.
Skincare is a journey, not a one-time fix. And with the right support, every season can be a season of progress!