Should You Stop Actives Before a Skin Procedure?

“Should You Stop Actives Before a Skin Procedure?”

By Dr. Mohd Rizwan Khan

Dr. Rizwan’s Skin, Cosmetic & Laser Clinic – Shahjahanpur

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You’re using retinol at night, vitamin C in the morning, and your skin is finally glowing.

Now, you’ve booked a chemical peel, PRP, laser, or microneedling session…

But a big question pops up:

“Should I stop using these actives before my procedure?”

Let’s talk simple and straight – because yes, sometimes stopping is necessary.

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💡 First, What Are “Actives”?

Actives are ingredients in skincare that actually change the skin.

Some common ones:

🔹 Retinoids / Retinol – for acne, anti-aging

🔹 Vitamin C – for glow, pigmentation

🔹 AHAs / BHAs (like glycolic or salicylic acid) – exfoliation

🔹 Niacinamide – brightening, oil control

🔹 Benzoyl Peroxide – acne treatment

🔹 Azelaic Acid, Kojic Acid, Alpha Arbutin – pigmentation correction

These are strong soldiers. But strong doesn’t mean suitable just before every procedure.

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⛔ Why We May Ask You to Stop Actives Before a Procedure

Because some actives thin the skin’s top layer, make it more sensitive, and increase the chances of:

❌ Redness

❌ Peeling

❌ Post-procedure irritation

❌ Delayed healing

❌ Hyperpigmentation (especially in Indian skin tones)

The goal of any skin procedure is to treat – not to overload or burn your skin.

So, pausing actives = protecting your skin.

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⏰ How Many Days Before Should You Stop?

Here’s a general guideline (but your dermatologist’s advice is final):

Active Ingredient	Stop Before Procedure
Retinoids / Retinol	3–5 days before
AHAs / BHAs	2–3 days before
Vitamin C	Usually not required to stop (but skip if skin feels irritated)
Benzoyl Peroxide	2–3 days before
Azelaic Acid	1–2 days before (if skin is dry)
Hydroquinone	3–5 days before if strong concentration

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✅ Which Procedures Need Actives to Be Stopped?

You’ll most likely be asked to stop actives before these:

🔸 Chemical peels

🔸 Laser treatments

🔸 PRP (Vampire Facial)

🔸 Microneedling / Dermapen

🔸 CO2 / Fractional Lasers

🔸 Dermabrasion

🔸 Skin booster injections

But in some mild facials or hydrating treatments, it’s okay to continue.

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❓What If You Forgot to Stop Actives?

Don’t hide it from your doctor. Please tell us honestly!

In our clinic, we ask patients during consultation about their current skincare. If someone forgets to stop retinol, we might:

🔹 Reschedule the treatment

🔹 Use gentler settings

🔹 Skip certain peels

🔹 Give extra post-care support

No judgement – just safe skin practice.

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👨‍⚕️ Dr. Rizwan’s Tip:

“Your skin is already working hard when you use actives.

Before a procedure, give it a break — so it heals faster and responds better.”

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🧴 What Should You Use Instead Before the Procedure?

During this “actives break”, switch to:

✅ A gentle, hydrating face wash

✅ Moisturizer (non-comedogenic)

✅ Broad spectrum sunscreen

✅ Avoid experimenting with new products

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📅 After the Procedure – When Can You Restart?

Again – depends on the treatment and your healing.

Usually:

🔹 For mild peels: Restart actives in 3–5 days

🔹 For laser or microneedling: Wait 7–10 days

🔹 For deeper treatments: May need 2 weeks or more

We’ll guide you step-by-step after your procedure.

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Final Word:

Don’t assume. Ask.

Whether you’re using a retinol or a brightening serum – tell your skin doctor before any treatment.

Stopping actives for a few days may seem like a pause… but it’s actually a smart step for better results and safer skin.

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📍 Visit us at Dr. Rizwan’s Skin, Cosmetic & Laser Clinic, Shahjahanpur

📞 Call or WhatsApp us for personalized skincare and treatment planning

💬 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for daily skin tips

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