Chemical Exfoliation
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Common sense might tell us that chemical peels seem like such a great idea for acne, but in the real world, acid alone just doesn’t seem to completely take care of acne. They can also be expensive and leave the skin red and peeling for a few days every time you get one.
Chemical Exfoliation
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this procedure done. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one. Do not try this at home!
Used Chemical Peels? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
March 24, 2007
Cons:
5 days of intense peeling (like a snake shedding it's skin) and mild itching. Also, there was no reduction in deep pitted scars.
Retin-A Peels: The first peel reduce pink scars about 15%, the second peel did NOTHING, and the third peel reduced pink scars about 15%. The pain is minimal (about a 3 at its height) and only lasts about 20 minutes. Do not pick or pull your skin while it peels, or it could leave permanent scars...but my dog did actidently paw my face and it did not leave permanet damage. Retin-A peels are inexpensive, and give only mild results. You should have a series done. You will peel and look like a burn victem for 5 days, but the 30% reduction in pigmentation was worth it for me.
March 7, 2007
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
Pros:
Its Cheap and quick and clears spots
Cons:
It stings while it is on and you do break out more
I've used 50% peel at home for 6 weeks (once a week) I started at 45 seconds, then moved up to 1 min 45, then 2 min 45 until 5 min 45. I am now taking a break for a month. The first treatment did nothing, it was more of a sensitivity test, then next week it tingled and began to sting, the week after i just wanted to scratch my face and wash it off but I was noticing a difference and 2 people commented on my complexion. At present my skin has broken out and this time on my cheeks-I normally only get spots on my chin. I hope this will go! My skin is softer. I use bicarb of soda when the time is up to neutralise as water alone is not enough. I hope when I start the course agian in 4 weeks at 2 mins and work up that my skin will respond - I'm confident that it will. I have invested in cleanser, tonner and moisturiser with glcoric 10% over the internet to use in the month between - I'm also confident this will work!
February 22, 2007
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
Pros:
Evens skin tone, reduces overall blemishes, gives skin a "glow", and reduces pore size.
Cons:
After extractions (which is recommended) my face is inflamed, but the next day its great! Because this is a mild peel, I expect real results are going to take a lot longer than I would like, but I'd rather wait it out to avoid looking bad for 2 wks.
I've only had 2 peels and Blu-U Light right after. That and the combination of tetracyclene (500mg twice day)has done wonders. I only have red spots left, and hopefully after 6-8 treatments they will all be gone. I recommend seeing a specialist/Aesthetician because, unlike a derm Dr, the aesthetician wants you to look good. My treatment is $250 for 6 peels and its worth it.
February 22, 2007
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
I am using a Gycolic acid peel kit treatment brought from the local beauty shop. I have only used it twice, and can see amazing results. I would put the solution and wear it over night because it doesn't have a high percent of acid, so safe enough to wear when I sleep and in the morning I will remove with water. My skin is not really sensitive thats why I can bare the treatment and that's why I can see results, but I am also on medication pills to help with my skin(acne mild) aswell. I would recommend girls to try it cause it does work and if it doesn't it either your skin is really sensitive or your need a stronger strength or Gycolic acid because skin might produce to many olis.
February 17, 2007
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
Pros:
Evens skin tone, rids dead skin cells, get rid of any active pimples, softens skin, doesn't make skin peel
Cons:
May be irritating to people with more sensitive skin
I started having low intensity Glycolic Acid Peels at a local salon (Rizzieri's). It evened my skin tone but improved my acne minimally. I got a few compliments on my skin but still had a lot of zits :(. I went to a dermatologist to try stronger peels. I had to stay off of my acne medicine for two weeks before I got my peel done which didn't help :(. After that I stopped having the peels done. While in Walgreens I came acrossed a product called Pimple Eraser which is made by Miracle Care Network. I purchased it and this is the product of my dreams! It has helped my acne dramatically. I even recommended it my to friend and she bought her own but said it irritated her skin so she had to stop. I use it on my skin for a few weeks and then take a break and then start using it again.
February 7, 2007
Pros:
TCA PEEL-READ THIS!!!!! BECAUSE IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL & FORGET A SIMPLE INSTRUCTION YOU JUST MAY REGRET IT.
Cons:
I did 4 applications of DEEP 50% TCA Peel myself and each peel turned out spectacular with absolutely astonishing results from a born surfer with brown spots everywhere & wrinkles, very tough skin.
I brought another bottle of 60% TCA. It had been 1 year since the last peel. So I put it on with much pain as you could imagine, my skin over the next 4 days weeped, broke out in white spots, blew up like a balloon, my down time was 14 days. I made a critical error of forgetting NEVER HAVE A SHOWER !!!!!! unless you can keep your face out of the water, I was showering 2 times a day, so when I got out my skin was soft & white much like being in a pool too long. So my face pre-maturely peeled, it just fell off, then went hard again and peeled again but my whole chin & under lip scabbed over like it was a major sore sitting on top of my skin. i did not go out in the sun for 4 months or even bright light afterwards. I treated it properly because it was serious LEFT IT ALONE I did not stress about it, it took 4 weeks to come off, I applied pure aloe vera plant once healed & now my skin is absolutely spotless Ageless with no scaring. I did scare me a little NEVER EVER FORGET THE RULES TO TCA
February 6, 2007
Pros:
evens out skin tone
Cons:
caused scarring all over my face.
i had 2 25% tca peels done through my derm. before, i'd had isolated patches of scars. now, my entire face is covered in countless tiny scars that have completely destroyed the texture of my face. i also found that my derm had been cleansing my face before each procedure with glycolic acid. during my last procedure (not a chem peel), my skin worsened again from the glycolic alone. please be careful- it took my skin from poor to almost deforming.
February 2, 2007
Pros:
Vanished acne marks
Cons:
2 day Redness
Chemical peels can be very effective if done properly by licensed estatitions, they can also be very detrimental if they are not. I have had a number of chemical peels but my estatition started me with mild products and slowly advanced me into the medicated peels while preping my skin inbetween peels as well. Improvements can't been see in a couple of days with one harsh peel. Obagi espically is a very strong product, I used obagi products for the treatment of acne for less than a month rather than the 3 months I was directed to because it was far to harsh on my skin. For me GlyMed products work better. I know acne and acne marks are EXTREMELY frustrating, I developed cystic acne in my 20's that left scars. Stay positive there are mixes for everything but your conditions didn't appear over night and they won't dissapear over night either. Find licensed professionals that will consult with you and talk to you about your concers and what options you have. Best of Luck to All
January 17, 2007
Pros:
Dermetologist really know what they are doing...LISTEN to them.
Cons:
Even though some Dermetologist will approch curtain issues lightly first its for your own good. This will allow them to get to know your skin and how it reacts.
I had my first "glycolic peel" done. This was done at a medical spa, not my Dr. office. As soon as they applied the acid to my face its started to burn really bad....i mean my face was on fire. They left it for about 2 minutes b/c that is how long i could tolerate it. Afterwards my skin looked like someone took a blow tourch and went over my face with it. I had blistering and 1 day later my whole face was like a big scab. About 3 days later my face started to peel. Now i see more breakouts then ever. The peel made my skin thiner thus causing the breaks out under my skin to come to the surface. The up side to this traget event is that my face is more even, pores smaller, and the dark post acne marks gone. I really caution u give to do your research. If you had an experience like mine then your dermetologist/aesthetician/anyone is NOT the one to go to. Rather then having a glycolic peel i would recommend a Salicylic Acid Peels. SA peels will clear skin up,glycolic is for post ance
January 16, 2007
Pros:
I have been going to the face Dr. for about 3 or to 4 months now. they put me on a topical cream that i dont ever use any more because it made my face super dry and i would peel. Then after the first visit i had a chemical peel to get rid of blemishe
Cons:
during the process of the peel it hurts for about 5 mins then they cool it off. i have one more peel left. && i hope it shows more improvement than the last peels. i dont break out more after a peel it stays the same. && i wash every morning & nite.
i haven not seen that much improvement with the chemical peels that i have had so far. so i searched the internet and seen some ideas that u liked && others that were bad ideas. i seen that boiling water && letting the steam hit your face for a few mins. then washing and rinsing with cold water so that the pores close. i repeated that twice and i dont see any blemishes rite now and only my pimples. so the blemishes went away && now i see ugly pimples. but at least my face looks better than it did! so try the boiling water =] hoe it helps a little.My face DR. told me to only use these soaps. Cetaphil /dove / Neutrogena... only because they work best....pick one for your choice.. or the type of skin you have.. mine is oil and blemishes and pimples..honest truth
Pros:
30% reduction in pink pigmentation