Chemical Peels (Medium-depth Peels)
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Side Effects

Medium-depth peels penetrate deeper into the skin than superficial peels, damaging the whole epidermis (outermost layer of skin) as well as the papillary...

Medium-depth peels penetrate deeper into the skin than superficial peels, damaging the whole epidermis (outermost layer of skin) as well as the papillary dermis (the top part of the dermis, just below the epidermis). When chemical peels are applied on the skin, a controlled wound healing process occurs that may stimulate the skin to produce more collagen and elastin, thus improving the appearance of acne scars.

This procedure is normally repeated multiple times (3 or more) in 3-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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Read All About Chemical Peels (Medium-depth Peels)
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21.3%
4
26.2%
3
16.4%
2
18%
1
18%

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January 21, 2010

Pros:

Reduces hyperpigmentation, helps unclog pores, more even skin tone.

Cons:

Doesn't help that much with deep acne scars.

I started using low strengths of Salicylic and Glycolic Acid because your skin needs to get used to it first. You don't want to damage your skin so always start with low strengths first. I currently use 40% Glycolic and 30% Salicylic Acid. I use them once every other month just to keep my skin clear. What did work for my acne is the combination of regular exfoliation and Spironolactone.
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December 11, 2009

Pros:

Smoother, more even texture, better coloration

Cons:

Requires several treatments
Wouldn't use this in summer, or if you are outdoors a lot

I got very good results using a 35% product at home over the course of 8 weeks. Paying for salon treatments would be prohibitively expensive. I am 29, have hyperpigmented spots and a few ice pick scars from prior acne-- it's MOSTLY gone now, but it used to be BAD before I had my baby (hormones changed things, I think), and I tried several prescription products to control it. I peeled 3x a week for 8 minutes ea.-- my skin is not sensitive at all-- my coloring is far more even and the ice picks are even a bit shallower. Added bonus of softening of fine lines. However, while there is no discernable "peeling" I would not use this in summer or when you are outdoors a lot, as it does seem to lighten the skin. No amount of sunscreen will make up the diff between a really pale face and bronzed bod. I plan to continue use through at least Feb/March.
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September 29, 2011

Pros:

Cleared up scarring 100%

Cons:

Painful
Lots of peeling
Irritating / itchy

I am only 21 and have *hated* the scarring on my back, a result of acne. Every treatment which I looked in to was expensive and didn't guarantee results for such a large surface area. After undergoing 4 TCA skin peels (and currently doing some further jessner peels) I would recommend it to everyone, no questions asked!! I have absolutely no scarring whatsoever, you would never even know I suffered in the first place! Not no mention i'm not embarrassed anymore. The treatment wasn't a lovely experience, but overall it was worth it and i would do it all over again!
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December 20, 2010

Pros:

smoothes skin
reduces scars
reduces stretch marks
helps acne
very cheap!

Cons:

can irritate or burn if not careful. redness only lasts 1-3 days.

I have been dealing with gross, dark acne scars in unpleasant places my whole life. i have tried everything. id soak my skin in vinegar DAILY, untill i learned about acid peels. I decided not to take any chances with it being too week, so on ebay i purchased a pack, two 1oz bottles, 50% and 70%, for only about 15-16 dollars free shipping(check out the seller, sharefair) anyway, i went straight for the strongest stuff. i HAVE been over using it(full peels once every few days, and spot treating my scars with the 70) and yeah it gets pretty irritated when you do it so often.i actually burnt a hole in my belly(its oing away though) but if you follow directions(once a week, leave on for 2-6 minutes depending on tolerance) you shouldn't have any problems. so far im noticing my scars are definately a lot lighter, im not getting my usual pimply razor burn(im italian. i have to shave), im not getting new pimples, and my skin feels AMAZING. i am addicted! do not let doctors fool you, they are after your $$. you can do acid peels by yourself no problem, for cheap! none of that silly $50+ per peel. you can get a whole 1 oz bottle for around 8 bucks on ebay, which is about 15 peels worth. just follow the instructions, if you need help elect a trusted friend. please don't waste your money needlessly! this works just as good! also, don't be fooled into buying a neutralizer. just mix some baking soda and water and pat it on if you really need it. wish you all luck in your quests for good skin! and a side note, if you get one thats too strong, just dilute it with water! no need to go back and buy a weeker one. you'l get more for your money if you buy the 70 and dilute it. and do NOT use undiluted 70 on your face!
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October 9, 2010

Pros:

no downtime
skin becums soft
controls acne
completly safe

Cons:

needs multiple sessions to c reults (Atleast 4)
dosnt hv long term effect , so have it every 1 or 2 mnths.

i jst got my 1st glycolic acid 50% peel done today. I have a really good dermatologist and she recommended 4 sessions for me, she also said that for anyone, even with clear skin) there r no appreciated/noticable results after juz one peel. I trust her compltely as with the treatment she gave me really helped me control my acne. I was on oral and topical antibiotics, then on tretinoin cream(which is really gud for comedones) i love it and il use it fr a long time now. Now i have very few breakouts but still have minor milia. Chemical peels really help control the acne, i knw that for a fact, but they r not long term effective. But u can have them once in every mnth or 2, watever suits u.after ur 4 sessions are complete) Glycolic acid peels are very safe. Herez what my session was like- She cleansed my face, then applied the chemical on my face with a brush. generally it is left for 5-6 mins or more. But my skin is very sensitive and very fair so it was getting very red so she removed it after 4 mins with cold water suppression with a cloth. There is a little itching sensation while the peel is on ur face. And it has to go away compltly once its washed. If the sensation is still there ....keep giving cold water suppresion or applying sme soothing creams. Afrer 10 mins my redness was gone and so was the itch. Then i went back home. So u c there is no downtime at all. There shud b a min gap of 2 weeks btw evey session. If u ask abt ne differences in the skinThere is not any for now, but i can feel it while washing my face, the skin IS VERY SOFT. Also, the peel is actually at the micro level so its not visible to the naked eye, but if smeone has a dr skin there mite be sme flaking. since i have an oily skin, there is no flaking. Also, its highly imp to use a gud sunscreen after and before ur peel always. even in normal daylight and nt the sunlight coz the new cells forming on the skin of the face reacts to the UV
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May 4, 2011

Pros:

Helps with ance dents, black spots and pores. Inexpensive and you can do at home. Paid about $80 for a whole year.

Cons:

2 week downtime with each treatment. You have scabs all over your face. If you're not too vain, you can still go to work, it does nt hurt or anything. It takes numerous treatments depending on severity of problems. Can be dangerous if you dont follow directions.

I took accutane to eliminate my acne all together and was left with scarring.I started out with 12.5%. for 3 months, moved up to 20% for 6 months and now Im doing 30% at home with no problem. My skin looks great. Not perfect, but a far cry from where I started. I haddark spots, dents from cystic acne on my cheeks. Its definately worth the time vested. Take your time though. Start with a low %. Everyones skin is different and Ive had friends who couldnt take the 20%. If you have scars, its the least expensive option and if you start with a low percentage than you have nothing to lose. And sense it helps with wrinkles too, I happend to look 10 years younger as well. good luck
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Juniorsharma_
November 12, 2016
Did all of your scarring go away? How much did you pay for each peel
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June 28, 2010

Pros:

barely lightens scars

Cons:

scars that barely faded eventually come back still noticeable as before, irritates and burns skin, after peeling skin is refreshed but new breakouts form with more pimples leaving skin worse then before and new scars form

dont buy this peel unless you have at least a minimum of 1-2 weeks off from being outside work, or from public, otherwise the you may need to feel the need to peel the skin before it had completely healed use under your own discretion bottom line this peel ruined my skin because i have asian skin colour
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February 21, 2011

Pros:

-DID HELP TO LIGHTEN PIH (post inflammatory HYPERpigmentation!
-DID HELP TO SOFTEN SCARS!
-makes skin tone look more even
-brightens dull complexion

Cons:

-*** WARNING*** do not use on regular skin
-if you get too zealous you will fry your skin off like I did
-does not work well on recent scars, works better on old, healed discoloration
-does NOT prevent new acne
-does NOT work on post inflammatory HYPOpigmentaion

ME: I am 32. I had **absolutely perfect/flawless skin** with only mild cleanser and lotion until age 31. I never needed make-up EVER. I now have grotesque, hormonal, cystic acne that scars whether I pick or not and causes pits and horrible discoloration. I have dark tan skin. I am so sad, I no longer want to show my face. PRODUCT: 40% glyolic acid peel off of ebay USE: I used the glycolic acid peel religiously every five days for the last month. The PIH has begun to lighten and the scars are softer! Really. Note: The newer scars that are just forming get horribly worse if you put glycolic acid on them before they are well healed. If you do put glycolic on new scars, then don't heal at all. DO NOT PUT IT ON PLACES THAT DON'T NEED IT, you will just singe your first layer of skin off. RESULTS: Don't expect overnight miracles. My acne was not lightening on its own after several months. I noticed a difference with the peel within a month. You should not, not put it on places that do not need it. Use, Dan's AHA for those places. This is for those of us with severe scarring and PIH.
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January 19, 2010

Pros:

lightened scars, smoothed out skin

Cons:

huge down time, possible side effects of prolonged redness, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, etc..

Did a 40% TCA peel at a cost, with a dermatologist, i should have known he cared more for his money than my face, The peeling took a good 11-12 days, the redness is severe and will probably last for at least a month or more. I wanted to remove ugly acne scars but now I replaced them with weird red hyperpigmentation, its been 15 days since my procedure and the redness/hyperpigmentation is supposed to last 4 weeks or more. Now I am having to use tretinoin cream at night, and hydrocortisone cream during the day, and have to wear makeup if i want to look presentable to anywhere i go. If you are going to do a peel, prepare your face for it, and make sure your skin is a good candidate for it, for the money I wish i would have just not done it in the first place, save the horribly long downtime, the original pain, and the hassle of sun protection always, cant go outside and play. Well I hope this helps
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December 2, 2009

Pros:

Made skin fresh and less red. Skin felt silky and scars very slightly reduced.

Cons:

Made skin greasy. Caused MAJOR break outs for months! Created lots of new fresh scars.

I had hardly any spots but still had red marks all over my face from acne when I was younger. The peel was very painful but I was willing to go through any pain to get my skin clear. It made my face fresher, brighter and smooth for about a week then for months and months my skin was terrible. This created all new scars. In despiration, I had the peel again a few weeks ago (a year after I had my first one) and once again I broke out in spots and now I'm devastated because it's created really bad scars. However, I'd heard of the pro's and con's of the peel before I had it done and for me I decided it was worth the risk because I needed to try it for myself. I have very sensitive skin and have a stressful life so I'm sure they contribute to it. If you decide to have the peel then don't touch your skin whilst it's peeling!!
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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.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website