Chemical Peels (Medium-depth Peels)
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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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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)
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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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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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August 28, 2009

Pros:

no pros at all very very unhappy!!!would never ever do that again.

Cons:

peeling,dry skin,acne came back! just a horrible treatment would never ever recomend this to my enemy!

I had a bad acne a while ago which has left some scarring so decided to try a easy TCA chemical face peel to improve my skin..it comes with a course of 4 and it took one month.so i had one treatment every week for four weeks. after a second peel my acne flared up badly and i still had to have another 2 because of some kind of risk of affecting my skin in the future. Its been two weeks now and ive still got my acne,tropical creams not helping anymore(and it used to ) overall just feel very upset and misrable. cost me a fortune and it gave me the worst thing i could ever think of...
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February 26, 2009

Pros:

...Is there such thing with these peels??

Cons:

Redness, Acne Scarring, Irritability, Embarrasing Flaking, Itching, etc...

Chemical peels suck!! I had the first chemical peel done at a dermatologist just to improve the texture of my skin. I regret doing this because I never suffered from acne until this chemical peel. My skin became red and it started to flake. It was horrible and it was painful. Then, in order to fix the results of the 1st chemical peel, I went to a plastic surgeon. At first, i noticed some improvements. The acne was not as severe, but the scarring got even worse. Now I'm left with ugly brown spots and pigmentation all over my face. I wish I would've learned from my mistake the first time. Please don't do this!
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diversity
August 23, 2015
did you ever find that your hyperpigmentation from this chemical peel went away?
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February 25, 2009

Pros:

none

Cons:

Expensive. Doesn't work, Makes you get more acne than before. Leaves major scars on your face.

I had the VI Peel. Doing this peel was the WORSE thing that I ever did to my face. I just wanted my face to be brighter and get ride of a pimple scar that I had on my cheek. I did this peel twice. The first time I finished peeling, I broke out all over my cheeks and my face was an uneven color. It was suggested that I do the peel again, so 2 weeks later, I did it again and the results were 10 times worse than the first time! I got dark marks all around my mouth and my scars got worse. I emailed Dr. K about the results and he said that I should have been given bleaching cream to avoid hyperpigmentation. So I have to purchase bleaching cream on top of the extremely expensive VI Peel? He also blamed it on my saying that this was caused because I didn't use the aftercare products that were given to me. I DID use the products and I think it was just an excuse. I would NOT recommend this peel based on my experience.
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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.
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June 9, 2008

Pros:

Vi Peel: Can't say just yet....

Cons:

Vi Peel: It burned my face! Was it the esthetician at Skin Deep Htg Beach? I have 5 red blisters in different areas of my face, one is even swollen & puffy just under my eye. No one said I would look like a freak and couldn't leave the house!

The Vi Peel was MUCH more severe than (1) I could tell from their website or (2) was told by the esthetician. It is/was painful and it sure better turn out looking good in a few days!
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June 23, 2007

Pros:

My freckles faded.

Cons:

I was told it would smooth scars and alleviate freckles, which it did. I was not told it would bring back acne that had cleared years ago. I now have large, painful cysts and pimples.My skin is totally different.

Would not recommend to anyone. Possibly it would do well with someone who has different skin type. I'm miserable.
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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