Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is the first step in prepping the skin for a chemical peel?

1. Apply moisturizer

2. Stip oils from the skin

3. Use a gentle scrub

4. Apply a numbing agent

The correct answer is: Stip oils from the skin

The first step in prepping the skin for a chemical peel is to strip oils from the skin. This is crucial because oils can create a barrier on the skin’s surface, preventing the chemical agents used in the peel from effectively penetrating the skin. For a chemical peel to work optimally, it is important that the skin is clean and free from any excess oils, makeup, or impurities. This preparation ensures that the active ingredients in the chemical peel can reach the targeted skin layers to achieve the desired exfoliation and results. While using a gentle scrub, applying a moisturizer, or a numbing agent may be part of broader skincare practices, they do not serve the specific purpose of preparing the skin by removing oils, which is essential prior to the application of a chemical peel.