Acne.org Products
Good or Excellent Response
60%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Moderate Response
86%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Side Effects
Medium
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist or plastic surgeon? Make an appointment to get this procedure done. Don't have a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find a dermatologist or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to find a plastic surgeon.
Used Chemical Peels (Medium-depth Peels)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
April 17, 2009
Cons:
Can leave you like a crusted crab for about 4 days,then leave you as red as a turkey cock for about 1/2 weeks.
If you have no important appointments for a week or so then give it a try as I really do swear by them.I abused tanning beds when I was in my teens.Now at the age of 34,my skin is a lot better than some of my daughters friends who are only 18 to 20.I have used them now for nearly 3 years and I really have reversed the sun damage that I had before I started using them.I have allways had a thing about my laugh lines and now they are barely visible,in day light there is nothing there but in a shadowy lighting then they are very faint.Also my forehead is like I have had botox as another pro is that it kind of gives you a mini face lift by totally tightening the skin.I would never opt for botox or fillers where you are just masking your skin problems I would allways opt for a TCA peel instead as you know that you are healing your skin instead of just a temporary fix.I would recommend them to anyone.Try Makeup Artists Coice they have a variety for you to try.
December 17, 2007
Pros:
Can do comfortably at home - Takes only a few minutes- Great results seen in only 1-2 treatments!!
Cons:
Sometimes the sloughing can be painful.... burning sensation.
With continued use, and determination these DO help the overall appearance of your skin. From scars to wrinkles, Definite improvement overall! The product I used was TCA Complex - Great product!!
August 16, 2007
Pros:
Drastically Improved level of deeper scarring (but doesn't eliminate, i had cystic acne so scarring was not horrible but deeper). Improves texture and feel of your skin. No pain afterwards.
Cons:
For stronger peels 3-5 days of avoiding sun, peeling like when you peel from a bad sunburn. Don't pick or itch! works best if you let it fall off on its own. Need to do more than 1 usually + something like a inexpensive laser for evening of tone.
Talk to your dermotologist and definitly do a few of these if he/she says its safe. It will even your scarring gradually but you'll definitly notice a difference after just your first one. Doesn't even your skin tone but combined with an inexpensive in and out laser (that you'll have to wait a couple months to do and may take a couple lasers to really even) you'll definitly love the results. The cost is very minimal, my doctor gave me a deal and only charged me $100, but they usually cost $150-$300 each time it's done. The Lasers are pretty inexpensive too around the same price so you could get it all done for probably around $1000 maybe $1500 max but that's well below the $5000 these high powered lasers cost. Oh I did the High powered non evasive laser that doesn't burn your skin but goes under it to try and generate collagen and it didn't work at all a waste of $3000. Definitly do this and save money if it's what's right for your skin/scarring.
September 29, 2015
Don't do a peel if you have freckles!
I had a TCA chemical peel 5 years ago to help even out my rolling acne scars on my forehead and cheeks. I have a ton of freckles and was concerned that the procedure would get rid of them. I was informed that it would soften them but that the pigment is still in my skin so they will come back when I'm exposed to the sun. It has been 5 years now and my freckles still aren't fully back. It looks like I have horrible discoloration! The worse part is that the freckles are still visible below my eyes and around my mouth because they didn't do the peel below the first layer of skin. It just looks terrible. So if you have freckles, DO NOT get a TCA chemical peel. It's just not worth it. (The peel helped the rolling acne scars for about 6 months and then was right back to where it was before)
September 27, 2008
Pros:
softer skin, lighter scars, and finally gaining my confidence back :)
Cons:
peeled for about a week, and I thought that the procedure hurt.
Hello,
I have had acne for about 6 years (I am 21). I have tried everything it feels like but than I got a medium peel done ($50) and I noticed how much softer and clearer my skin is... The nurse did tell me to take my oral medication twice a day like it is recommended and I have'nt broken out really bad. But I have noticed my scars are a little less red and my skin looks more fresh and healthy.(After one peel) I believe that this procedure can help me feel better about myself where I feel like I dont need to put a mask of make-up on everyday. I am actually going for my second peel tomorrow :) I am so excited I cant wait till I see the results after this peel :) after this peel if I have no more active breakouts than I am gonna start microdermabrasions. Good Luck!
August 13, 2008
Pros:
IT'S A CHEAP PRODUCT THAT DELIVERS VERY GOOD RESULTS TO THE OVERALL TEXTURE OF THE SKIN I MAINLY DID IT FOR ACNE SCARS WHICH I DID SEE IMPROVED.
Cons:
THERE IS A DOWNTIME OF APPROXIMATELY A WEEK DEPENDING ON SKIN TYPE.
I REALLY LIKED THE RESULTS MY SUN SPOTS GOT LIGHTER AND I'M PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT BE SCARY TO DO IT YOURSELF BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY BUT FOR ME IT WAS WORTHWHILE.
August 10, 2008
Pros:
Light chemical peels work great for lighter acne scars, once your acne is under control. Obagi Blue peel works great if you have more layers done.
Cons:
Make sure you stay out of the sun, but you shouldn't be tanning anyways. :P For the Obagi Blue Peel your face is blue for up to a week and it takes to weeks to completely peel. Don't want to be seen out in public!
I am an Esthetician myself. I give my self light chemical peels with resorcinol which help some but I need to constantly be doing them. For the Obagi Blue Peel, I recommend finding someone who will give you anesthesia so they are able to penetrate deeper. There is no way someone can stand the pain with 4 or more layers if you are awake. I had great results except my acne wasn't under control. So now I have to start all over again. If you are not given anesthesia and only get 1-2 layers done don't expect good results. Light chemicals peels cost from $80-300 depending on where you go. For the obagi it was about $900 with anesthesia.
December 13, 2007
Pros:
zippo. SENSITIVE AND THIN SKINNERS KEEP AWAY!
Cons:
More scarring, more rednedss. more uneven texture, expensive, f**king painful, requires your face to be f**ked up and get you embarrased for a couple weeks.
I regret doing it so bad. dermatologist gave me glycolic acid. I did 6 sessions and was brave enough to go up the strength all the way to 70. After 3 times, I hadn't noticed anything, after 5 times i considered the possibility that all these peels are doing is making it worse, and the 6th time they really did me in and f**ked my face up all over. Red marks that were never there appeared, Gashes and small pits opened, i have much more scarring and burned skin. a sh*tlaod of moeny too. none of my dermatyologists say they can do anything else to improve it if you have any suggestions or were like me form-constants@[link removed]
September 14, 2007
Pros:
cleared spots straight away and slowly reduces scars
Cons:
one week peeling time cost 100 quid a peel
i had one and saw improvement. i watched as the nurse applied it to my skin and saw it burn the spots down. dries them out. i need four consecutive peels to see huge improvment on scars(pitted). ps one peel got rid of colour scars
May 30, 2015
50% lactic acid peel
I have just completed 50% lactic acid peel myself at home nothing changed a lot and still my breakouts are on going as usual.after peel can I used benzyl perioxide foam wash to control the breakout
Pros:
Skin was a lot clearer,also my freckles faded considerably :)The line that had started on my forehead has nearly gone.