Chemical Peels
Results
Side Effects

Chemical peels are strong acids applied by a professional in high percentages to the skin for a few minutes at a time. They...

Chemical peels are strong acids applied by a professional in high percentages to the skin for a few minutes at a time. They remove the top layer of skin cells and are thought to help promote the growth of fresh new skin cells.

Chemical peels are usually performed 4 to 10 times in 2-week intervals. Results are usually temporary, therefore it is not normally recommended for chronic acne.

 [more]
3.3
217
Read All About Chemical Peels
Compare To Other Treatments
5
24%
4
27.2%
3
21.2%
2
12.4%
1
15.2%

Used Chemical Peels? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
August 20, 2007

Pros:

smoother skin, eliminates very shallow scars

Cons:

painful!

I did the medium peel. My skin is 'sensitive' and so the doctor decided on a 25% TCA peel. I went into the procedure, perhaps foolishly, expecting it to be like a tingling sensation when the TCA is applied. Not so. The acid burns like the dickens, and the treatment is roughly equivalent to getting a second-degree burn on your face. Apparently you can have pain medication to ease the pain during the treatment. This might be a good idea to consider, but my main recommendation from the procedure is this: insist that your doctor give you an anti-swelling medication for post-op. My doc gave me two pills. It might have been helpful to have a few more. Secondly: DON'T RUB YOUR EYES. It's a very uncomfortable sensation to have skin peeling around your eyes. However, you will just cause your eyes to burn if you rub them. Plus, they could get infected. Lastly, play videogames to keep your hands off your face. Don't pick at your skin, unless you like having your face burned off.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 16, 2007
Great stuff if used with caution. Bought a 25% from Loganwood Skincare. It worked excellent the first few times. It came with a rubber dropper bottle. Noticed the rubber was rotting off, replaced bulb with cardboard gasket. The next time I used it, it seemed to frost way to long. From reading prior posts realized it was penetrating way to deep. Marked level with pencil, when I came back 2 weeks later, I found the level had dropped by 1/4 inch!! Theorized I was putting at least 60 to 70% on my face!! It seems that the contents was evaporating!! Each time to a more concentrated level!! My face has a fairly small ding, luckly I think with patience can be repaired. The point I want to make is be sure the bottle has a solid cap, other wise the same may happen to you.
This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 11, 2007

Pros:

Eliminated fine lines around eyes. Made skin smoother, removed some hyperpigmentation, made pores smaller. Got a 12.5% solution from the Internet and applied one layer (4 mos after Dr. peel). Scary since it was unsupervised but so far, so good.

Cons:

Expensive. $1500 at a cosmetic surgeon.
One important point I see misssing from this forum is that if you have a history of fever blisters or even never had one since the peel can bring it out, is to take a course of Valtrex as a preventative meas

Recommend. I also use "bleaching cream" from the doctor which serves as the preparatory stage which I don't see mentioned. It definitely improved the quality of my skin and something I will continue but conservatively.
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 6, 2007

Cons:

did not work for me.

I applied the TCA solution to my nose. I bought it from the internet 25% solution. It did not peel my skin. I bought it from [link removed].
This Was Helpful

Report
July 28, 2007

Pros:

After you get through the peeling, smooth skin...reduced oiliness...far less breakouts...in fact, Ive had 1 cystic pimple since I had my first peel (1 month ago)...I just had my 3rd peel yesterday. It also reduces redness from scarring!!! Worth it!

Cons:

1st peel (lactic peel)-minimal peeling, no redness
2nd peel (salicylic acid peel)-VERY Red and serious peeling and crusting--lasted 5 days, couldn't leave the house
3rd peel (Jessner's peel)-Slight redness, some flaking...not as extreme peeling

I bought a package called "The Clear Concept Acne Treatment." I have the peels in conjunction with a microdermabrasion and a blue/red light after the peel. I also have the aramis laser during these peels. This builds collagen for deep scars. So far, this is working. My skin is far less oily and I have about 80% less breakouts. It is reducing the scarring as well. I am 25 and have had acne all my life, but it just became severe in the last 5 months. Prior to Feb, I would break out occasionally, but then it started to become more frequent and would be cystic in nature, which of course started scarring my face. I have tried topical and oral antibiotics, but nothing seems to work and antibiotics won't do anything for the scarring. So far, these peels are gradually lessening the active acne and reducing the redness in my scarring. I have 3 more peels to go in my package and 4 more laser treatments. I continue to stay realistically optimistic. I would reccommend this treatment.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 16, 2007

Pros:

Made my skin texture smoother and clearer.

Cons:

Takes about 12 days for all the peeling to shed and can't go outside...unless you put on alot of sunscreen...ALOT!!

I am a medium complexion black girl with acne prone skin. My face had started looking really dull like I had a dirt mask on my face or something, so I went to a dermatologist in my area and they said they could help me a little for about $500.00.... I did not have that kind of money. So i did some research on the internet about chemical peels, and I saw that the TCA was safe for darker complexions. So i ordered the 15% one for $19.00 of the web. When I applied it, it burned, but the directions say that is normal, along with frosting of the skin( when it turns white). It took about 10 days for it to completely peel the skin. The results looked real nice, but I could benefit from another. I have applied it again.. with a 3 week break from the last one. And my skin looks so much fresher and the color is more even. I am glad I tried this and will be doing another one in about 3 months. BUT IF YOU DO DECIDE TO USE THE "TCA" PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS EXACTLY...IT IS CRITICAL!!!
This Was Helpful

18 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 11, 2007

Pros:

awesome results on light skin

Cons:

burns like crap and downtime and hyperpigmentation o darker skinned people

I love it. I'm an estetician and I believe that light skinned people should use it. I've got 50% on my whole back and chest. I worked up to it. I suggest retin-a .1% for 2 weeks,then 12%, then 20%, then 30%, and then as high as 50% if you need it. Take 1 and 1/2 months break in between. Use aquafure for first week post peel. This is a breathable vasoline, then use blue copper by osmotics for the healing period. Best tca internet peel is Yavonne. If you carefull you will see great results. Ive worked for a dermatologist and they rip you off, and they don't know anymore about tca's than you can learn on the internet yourself. I suggest start with glycolic and salycilic peels at first then work up to 12% tca and so. See how you skin reacts to each one.
This Was Helpful

13 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 23, 2007

Pros:

within 24 hours, the redness had subsided and my skin was really glowing and fresh. Instand revitalization.

Whole procedure took 10 minutes

Cons:

redness, slight burning and tingling, tightness immediately after the procedure

worth it, but you have to go every couple of weeks. i've only had the lightest peel done, however.
This Was Helpful

Report
May 24, 2007

Pros:

evened out my skin tone temporarily

Cons:

caused further scaring from excessive peeling....for pickers the peeling skin is bad news, i constantly wanted to pick

After I had shed all the skin my face was glowing for about a week, but then it went right back to its old ways with even more scarring from excessive peeling I am going to try again with a lower level peel, change my diet and keep my hands off my face
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 19, 2007

Pros:

I've struggled with acne since I was a teenager (now in 30s). The glycloic acid peels and other fruit peels work great for acne temporarily. I've had one 30% TCA peel and I've had a huge reduction in acne scarring, blotchiness, and skin tone.

Cons:

Be prepared... after a TCA peel, you will be frightened that you are scarred for life, as your skin will look like a burn victim. But after the skin turns brown and begins to come off, your skin will look amazing! DON'T PULL THE SKIN OFF!!!

The healing time of the other peels are just a nuisance. Chemical peels done through a good dermatologist have transformed my skin! But I would NEVER do it myself!! With the TCA peel I was given antibiotics and anitviral medication.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 10 11 12 13 14
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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