Chemical Exfoliation
Reviews
3.4
372 Reviews
Chemical Exfoliation
Efficacy
61%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Chemical Exfoliation
Side Effects
Medium
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!
Read All About Chemical Peels
Compare To Other Treatments
5
26.3%
4
28%
3
19.9%
2
12.1%
1
13.7%

Used Chemical Peels? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
February 8, 2009
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel

Pros:

softer and more youthful looking skin
helps with acne

Cons:

Slight burning (depending on strength, frequency, and duration)
Redness, dryness, and flaky skin

does not help with scarring and does not do much except overall just be a general exfoliation but this stuff is great though sorry it wont take off scars!
June 13, 2008

Pros:

VI Peel
I had a VI Peel yesterday and today my face looks and feels sunburn. I'm told there is no discomfort but that's not true, so I put cortisone and lavendar cream on my face to soothe it, anything I can do to help it. It's also itchy.

Cons:

morning of 2nd day it feels worse. Itchy, more red, and feels sensitive and burned. I woke up swollen a little under my eyes mostly and puffy a little everywhere else. I'm sensitive to retin A but was told there isn't that much in this.

Not sure yet. Right now, maybe I wouldn't do it again. But we'll see in a few days, and I'll post back. Amanda
November 15, 2008

Pros:

-very fast change

Cons:

-it burns like hell of course

I had really bad acne, and a LOT of red spots that had accumulated over the years. I was very fortunate to spend 2 weeks of my summer with my older brother who by coincidence was closely affiliated with a celebrity dermatologist (I will not release her name here), and she helped me tremendously on her own time out of the goodness of her heart at her own summer home where I stayed with her. She just took me into her master bathroom and rubbed a high percent of salicylic acid on my face throughout the day for less than a week. My face peeled something horrible (or GREAT, I should say), and my red marks were completely gone by the time the sheets and flakes of my skin came off. It looked so bad I never wanted to leave the house, but that was fine for me for a week. I had never been in such a mansion in my life-great experience. My skin took the treatment well , and I have sensitive skin. It never bled or cracked or anything, and I didn't have ANY acne for about 4 months
November 7, 2007

Pros:

i did a chemical peel and it was a strong peel,i didnt read the instruction well,and i had to mix the bottle with half the medication and distilled water .

Cons:

I have real bad pigmentation and now it l;ooks worse,and anyone tell me what to do .

Any one that can help me can email me at doralee_35@[link removed]
April 24, 2008

Pros:

chemical peeling

Cons:

I had 2 session of chemical peeling ,idon't know the composition of it.idont notice agreat difference.

i'd like to know it's ingradients
March 7, 2009

Pros:

hoping for clear skin after all this peeling from my vi peel

Cons:

i had uneven skin tone hoping to clear this up

i paid for only two treatments and three isaloz ane treatment thats great it totally lifted my face would recommend this treatment not sure about the vipeel maybe in two more days all together these treatments cost me $1500
March 11, 2009

Pros:

I am hoping for clear even skin for my wedding next month

Cons:

Fear of skin getting worse

After reading the testimonials.....I AM SCARED!!! I have about 6 weeks until my wedding and I cannot afford to look terrible on the biggest day of my life. I will keep you posted on my progress. Pray for me!!
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].
November 28, 2008
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel

Pros:

works okay but nothing special

Cons:

a bit pricey

i would recommend it to anyone with acne
December 29, 2006
i got one done today for the first time...i have moderate acne that never seems to go away, ever! the extractions done before the actual peel are painful and i'm still red from it...it looks worse than before i went for the peel...i am hoping they will go away tomorrow

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.

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.