Which of the following is a contraindication for chemical peeling?

The presence of current cold sore outbreaks is indeed a contraindication for chemical peeling. Chemical peels are designed to exfoliate the skin, and if there is an active herpes simple virus infection, such as cold sores, the process can exacerbate the condition, leading to increased irritation, pain, and the risk of spreading the virus. It’s crucial to avoid any procedures that could aggravate or irritate existing skin conditions, particularly when an open sore is present, as this can also pose a risk for infection.

In contrast, conditions like normal skin type, well-managed acne, and previous microdermabrasion do not inherently prevent someone from undergoing a chemical peel. Normal skin can typically handle chemical treatments, well-managed acne is often treated with such peels to help with exfoliation and reduce acne flare-ups, and previous microdermabrasion, when performed correctly, does not preclude the use of chemical peels; in fact, they can often complement one another in a skincare regimen.