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
August 18, 2013
2 chemical peels 50%
Cons:
didnt help on red marks for me :(
help with small scarring, didnt help red marks, and i said i want red marks out.
November 30, 2008
Pros:
Worked for persistent PIH from acne scars treated with IPL
Cons:
Painful. 1-week downtime. Pricey-- although worth it for the results.
I have adult-onset cystic acne. I had a pigmented scar treated with IPL-- which made it worse. Literally I walked around always trying to cover up a scar shaped like a dark circle. I had this area treated again with IPL- then with Alexandrite-- needless to say it persisted. Then I tried Obagi Nu-Derm which was really the first thing that really worked for my skin. It made me skin look great and even lightened the scar. However-- it never completely disappeared. So I underwent an Obagi Blue Peel-- and my scar is gone. I also had some boxcar scars which were lightened. I would definitely try Obagi for pigmented scars/PIH. I would start with NuDerm and then follow with the Obagi Peel. I am so happy with the results!! I went to a plastic surgeon to have this done and highly recommend someone who is familiar with the Obagi system and peels.
October 25, 2006
Pros:
I've had 5 chemical peels of which 4 Obagi Blue Peel, my skin has improved so much, especially my acne ice pick scars, they are so much less noticeable now. Some people even tell me that I have beautiful skin which is so unbelievable 10 years ago.
Cons:
The back to normal takes a long time and pigmentation is a problem, luckily Obagi creams help to solve the pigmentation problems.
I'm 52 years old now and I want to try other methods like the laser resurfacing and hopefully the down time is less. Still, I would recommend chemical peels, especially Obagi Blue Peel.
June 30, 2008
Pros:
Not quite sure yet, since it's only been three days. But my skin is soft to the touch where it's peeled and a few spots have lightened.
Cons:
Harsher than it's described. I wasn't told my face would stay red. I'm afraid it'll be worse than before.
I got a Vi Peel. After a few seconds, there is a numbing effect. About 30 minutes later it started to burn and burned for the rest of the night. I had a big audition two days later. Part of my face was brown, part red and part peeling. I was told I could wear makeup. It looked weird so I started to peel the flaky areas. Big mistake. I hope I didn't ruin the results. The area wasn't ready yet and became super red and sensitive. I numbed the area and put on makeup. I hope I don't break out or scar now. I tried to remove all the makeup, but who knows. The peeled areas still hurt. I can't use the moisturizer they gave me because it burns. The sunscreen burns. Aloe burns. Water burns. If you get it done, be okay with looking weird for a week. It's a lot more potent than they make it out to be.
June 13, 2007
Pros:
didn't burn as much...tones skin well...good peel for people of color...skin glows after....
Cons:
price...peeling is very visible even with the moisturizer...takes a while to see final results...
the VI peel was great...the price sucks, but it is a good peel for darker skin tone ppl...
March 12, 2011
Pros:
Has helped with overall complexion. Looks less "rough." Helps fade hyperpigmentation.
Cons:
Very SLOW process, will take several treatments to see results.
Peel like crazy for several days.
I bought 15% from [link removed]. I've bought TCA from another site and it was much weaker...I think most sites online will try to sell you fake TCA or industrial grade, which is very dangerous. MUAC sells the real thing. I've used it four times now and one peel is the equivalent to four or five glycolic peels in terms of results. You don't see anything for a couple of weeks, then three to four weeks post-peel you see good results. It's a slow process, though, so please don't expect instantaneous results. TCA peel has helped with my rolling scars especially.
November 12, 2016
Did your scars go away yet?
November 12, 2016
Did your scars go away yet?
November 12, 2016
Did your scars go away yet?
January 4, 2009
Pros:
Less cystic acne
Cons:
Glycolic 70 % left me with scars on my nose and temples that were not there before! This peel was done by a Dermatologist. Do NOT go to a dermatologist to get a strong chemical peel... go to a plastic surgeon!!!!
It is not worth it.
October 12, 2008
Pros:
don't know yet
Cons:
face and eyes all swollen up
Just had the Vi Peel on Thursday, it burned in the office but it was okay. Didn't wash my face that night, but did the face towel package thing they gave me, and on 2nd day, was really swollen and red, washed my face in morning with soap they gave me and did the 2nd face towel package thing they gave me. On Sat, I woke up really early,, my face is still burning and my eyes are so swollen up I can hardly open them. Washed face and put moisturizer on it. I look like a monster. Hope it is better tomorrow.
October 25, 2007
Pros:
smooths skin, gets rid of acne scars
Cons:
can be expensive, worth it though. 6 peels for about $550-600 all together. With stronger peels your skin peels like a bad sunburn and can look funky, but for only a week or so.
Lactic and salycilic(spelling?) work so well to get rid of acne scars and marks. My scars weren't deep or real bad. Go to a dermatologist or medical esthetician only. You should get facial in between treatments. Each time you get peels done, the doc should up the % in the solution so it is stroger every time. Your skin will peel real bad for only a week or so. But the results are well worth it. I get this and atlternate with microdermabrasion and the results are amazing. Be careful who you go to, they should have a medical background,not some fancy fifi spa.
July 4, 2007
Pros:
Smooths out scars (although they don't completely disappear) and creates a more uniform texture. Strong solutions with less contact time is superior to daily preparations.
Cons:
Visits cost a fortune before you see results. Home procedures are risky, especially if you are prone to hyper-pigmentation, keloidal scarring or have herpes. Results are very gradual. Leaving it on too long caused burns.
I have atrophic scarring light to moderate with an olive complexion. I took a risk and bought 1 oz of 60% solution of AHA at 1.9 PH and have been peeling every 2 weeks. I apply the solution over my entire face and put it on a q-tip and intensify the contact in the scars. I have to say after 8 months I have noticed improvements and I still have some solution left! I have just started alternating with a 65% lactic acid solution and putting the AHA in the scarred areas only. I don't see how a few visits can work when I have seen modest results only after 20+ peels. You can buy online solutions particularly with the company with the initials M.A.C. Their solutions are the real deal. This is for atrophic scarring only and AT YOUR OWN RISK. You should also have your acne under control. Other advice is to not smoke, limit drinking, limit sun exposure, and eat a healthy diet before, during and after the peels. Be patient and good luck!
Pros:
fill my scar a bit