Chemical Peels (Light / Superficial Peels)
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Side Effects

Light or superficial peels only affect the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis). Light peels can therefore only be used in the treatment...

Light or superficial peels only affect the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis). Light peels can therefore only be used in the treatment of very shallow scars, and normally do not produce perceptible results. When chemical peels are applied on the skin, a controlled wound healing process occurs which might improve the appearance of the acne scar by stimulating the skin to produce more collagen and elastin.

This procedure is normally repeated multiple times (5 or more) in 2-week intervals, and you should see gradual results with each session. And after your last session, your skin should continue to improve.

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25%
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May 29, 2011

Pros:

Evens skin tone, dries acne, minimizes scars, and fine lines. When used carefully and correctly, this peel really produces results. I buy online and do the peels at home. It's inexpensive.

I've used a 12.5% TCA solution for about 3 years and my skin has improved dramatically. Used twice per month, the peel helps prevent new acne, and lessens the appearance of scarring and fine lines. It's also great as a spot treatment for painful cysts and really speeds up healing, sometimes reducing swelling overnight. I highly recommend this peel, but start at a low percentage and work your way up. Using a small amount of emu oil immediately following a peel is very soothing to the skin and helps speed up peeling.
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October 16, 2010

Pros:

Cleansed pores
Reduced hyperpigmentation
Smoothed skin
Beginnings of a fine lines DISAPPEARED!
Reduced break outs to NONE!

Cons:

Lots of peeling, so if you are self-conscious, do this on a Thursday or Friday so your peeling is over the weekend.

I am a 43 yo black woman with lots of dark post breakout scars from cystic acne that I had since age 12. It decreased to moderate-severe only after 2 rounds of Accutane. For years I thought I was doomed to chronic acne. My self-esteem was the pits. I have tried many chemical peels, IPL, facials and OTC products, even luxury lines. I have been getting the V.I. Peel (not Vitalize) for almost a year. I have tried lots of chemical peels and OTC products. This is phenomenal! The sting/itch is bearable while being applied and fades very quickly. My esthetician pays special attention to my bad dark spots. After my 3rd peel a woman I know very slightly made a point to ask me what kind of skin care I was using. The results were that impressive. I would urge you to follow the instructions to the letter. Dr. Maguire has me to use prednisone cream with the moisturizing lotion for the first week to reduce inflammation and risk of addtional dark marks. I use the post peel pads and moisturizing lotion and let ABSOLUTELY no sun touch my face. without having on sunscreen. I also wear a hat. One note, don't sweat (work out/sauna etc) or else the peeling skin will bubble up early and really look weird, but it does not affect the peel. It does go away after a few hours. I go to Physician's Center for Beauty and my esthetician is Paula and she is terrific. The rest of the staff is very nice and professional. Dr. Maguire really takes his time to explain what you need to have done for your acne or other skin concerns and makes you feel very comfortable. Not at all like some doctors I have been to who made me feel like a whiner for being freaked out about my horrible cystic acne. They have never tried to sell me extra products that I do not need. I will never be without this medical staff. Even if the V.I. Peel does not work forever (nothing works forever!), I trust this staff to take good care of me and my skin problems A little
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December 13, 2009

Pros:

Definitely improved some of my smaller craters and ice-pick scars. I think it makes skin look glossy and healthy, too!

Cons:

You might form scabs. Just don't pick at them! They will fall off and heal nicely on their own.

Anyone would benefit from this, I think. The most important thing is not to pick at your face afterwards.
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November 5, 2009

Pros:

Got rid of Pregnancy Mask

Cons:

Down time, severe acne, redness, swelling, did I mention acne

Went in for a light TCA peel in hopes of reducing pore size and removing dark spots/preg. mask. I was told down time would be about 5 to 7 days. About day 5 my entire face broke out in acne(had never had acne) there were at least 200 spots on my face. Unsure of what was happening, called dr. office. They said I must be allergic to the antibiotic ointment and discontinue use. Another week passes and it is not anybetter, go to my dermatologist. Prescribed medication to dry up the spots. It is about 1 month later and I'm still not 100%. I don't think my skin will ever be the same. It is very red, sensitive, and still breaking out.
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September 20, 2009

Pros:

Easy to use at home and affordable, option to rinse off after 1 minute if its stings too much. I use the 25% strength version, think anything stronger you would need to see a dermo

Cons:

If you apply it unevenly, it can leave some areas of your face whiter than others.

I had acne on my cheeks from work-place stress and after the pimples subsided I now have small bright red scars on my face, even after professional extractions. I use glycolic peel once a week, as my skin is not too oily with dry patches. I rinse off after about 5 minutes. I follow with Botani's olive oil squaline serum to protect and heal skin - works wonders! Dermo told me to gently exfoliate 1 or 2 days after glycolic peel to ensure peel process is complete.
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September 2, 2009

Pros:

I had a lot of acne in the past and as the results I got acne scarring and uneven skin. I wanted to remove my acne scars and made my skin even. I bought the GORGEOUS PEEL about 6 weeks ago and I am so happy with the results.

I highly recommend this product, it was very affordable and last for a while. You can even buy it with friends and share it, because the bottle lets you do about 50 face treatments.
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August 5, 2009

Pros:

gradually improves skin fresher younger

Cons:

only peels in certain areas need 2 have more way2 expensive

i had it done at skin clinic it cost £600.00 but u do get all creams,face wash 2 prepare the skin for 2 weeks prior to peel; skin lightening; sunscreen; cu3 which is for after the peel stop skin drying and tissue repair,,, which are important 4 pigmented skin ive had 4 done now but my skin is patchy it was 12.5% tca my skin is just acne scarred no spots but now pores are smaller and skin fresher however need more treatments may try at home method now that i have all the creams 2
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July 27, 2009

Pros:

Diminishes acne, lightens scars, evens out skin tone

Cons:

peeling for a few days and trying not to pick at it

Last summer my skin was very clear and rarely had acne but when i went back to school i broke out drastically around my mouth and cheeks and left scars. After getting a peel, I don't remember which kind, not all the scars were gone but there was a definite change in the appearance of the scars and some were completely gone. I only had a mild peel but I'm getting another one within the next couple weeks stronger than before. I am hopeful that it will get rid of the rest of my scars. overall i would definitely recommend this for people who have mild-moderate existing acne and scars. and at first i freaked out because of the redness and peeling but trust me give it a week and you will be happy. and DO NOT PICK!
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July 25, 2009

Pros:

Stops break outs, Improves overall skin tone and redness, helps scarring,

Cons:

Finding a pro. Peeling sucks but is so worth it

You must find someone who knows what they are doing. I have been getting my treatments at Clarity Med Spa in Tampa/ Lutz Florida and the aesthetician there is the best in the world in my opinion.

You must follow the directions for after care. Apply plenty of moisture. Do it when you don't have plans to go out in the sun. Do it when you don't have an outing planned. You need about 4-6 days of major peeling with the one I get. (Vitalize Peel)
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June 11, 2009

Pros:

got rid of a little scarring

Cons:

made more spots appear

At first my acne started on my forehead it wasn't very bad but I got very painful spots and they also left deep scarring even if i didn't squeeze them. So I went to the pirvate clinic in harley street they looked at my skin and reccomended a glychol peel. I went for the treatment it got rid of some scars but not alot. I got little outbreaks, they said it was normal so I carried on with the treatment and homecare until the 6th session. okay finished all courses and not much of a change. So they told me I need to wait about a month before I come back for the check up. So I carried on using the homecare treatment and suddenly I started to break out like mad I was getting about 3-4 spots a day?! Now thanks to them my whole face is covered in acne till today! I am still trying to find a way to get rid of them. My advice is to think carefully before you go into these treatments. I want to go and try at a different place but i'm scared it might make it worse so im torn. very depressing.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
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