Chemical Peels
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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.

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April 16, 2010

Pros:

Skin can improve if chemical peel reacts correctly to skin. First experience was good...Second was not.

Cons:

Dark pigmentation.

I had a chemical peel (TCA 30%) about two years ago. The results were good/fair. There was about 4-5 days of downtime (e.g., redness, excessive peeling...) which was difficult to deal with (I hate staying indoors!!). My acne did clear up and my skin appeared tighter and healthier. I would like to emphasize the importance of wearing sunscreen daily especially after a chemical which i did comply with after my treatment. After a couple of months my skin appeared to return to the way it looked prior to treatment. Recently, I wanted to touch up some fine lines and wrinkles. So I ordered the product (TCA 30%) and got started when i had some time off from work. For some reason this time, may skin changed color in some of the areas i treated. I am lucky i did not do a full face peel. It is not a severe discoloration but it is still apparent to me (pink/red color). Makeup does a bad job of concealing it. It has been two months and I still notice the discoloration. This is disappointing. If i had to do it over again I would definitely go with a lower concentration of tca.
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Rusty64
July 2, 2015
Marie, I do not know your natural skin color but TCA peels on darker or ethnic skin are NOT recommended just for the exact result you experienced!
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November 21, 2009

Pros:

I prepped for four weeks with 50% glycolic peels, one per week. I did the 15% TCA and it was mild.I only had flakes.I am moving up to another level. The acne that I had was diminished.

Cons:

Didn't "snake peel", wanted too:( But I will move up in strength. It is always best not to burn yourself and to test out products first. The good news though is that I can successfully do this at the same downtime as a glycolic(a weekend of flakies)

Buy least % first. Even the first glycolic was crazy, but then they all had adjusted to a certain tolerance, so I didn't scar myself. I am excited to see long term goals. Forehead gets nice and taught, which is a good feeling.I am only 26, but I like anything that makes me feel young:) Good luck... $40 for both glycolic and TCA
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December 11, 2009

Pros:

I had moderate acne which was getting worse every single day. I had 6 70% glycolic peels done over a two month period and my acne went away completely. I haven't had a single pimple since, not even hormonal pimples.

Cons:

I did get scarring here and there due to my skin peeling, but it is slowly going away.

My acne is now completely gone, and I'm currently using the Jan Marini line and Jane Iredale mineral make up which were both introduced to me by skin specialist. I'm asian, so I was worried about doing these peels especially at 70% but there weren't any complications. For those who are planning to do a peel. make sure you're specialist is either a trained nurse or doctor who specialises in acne. Also, if your acne is infected (you'll know when pus comes out of your pimple when you pop it), you should have laser treatment done on top of your extraction and peel.
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June 18, 2011

Pros:

none

Cons:

It's expensive and it didn't help me at all (after 3 sessions!)

I went to three sessions. My skin peeled, but looked exactly the same. It was about $150.00 each session. A huge waste of money! :(
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September 8, 2009

Pros:

After the light redness goes away and the peeling stops, about 5 days later. Your skin looks tighter and has more of a glow, but that only lasts for a few weeks.

Cons:

The VI Peel didn't remove dark spots, light skin unevenness, and really didn't remove or lessen light wrinkles.

I have had alot cheaper vitalize peels for 150.00 and it seemed to work alot better for the money!
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August 29, 2009

Pros:

Diminishes Acne Marks, Gets rid of Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Even Skin Tone, Smooth Young Skin, Reverses Signs of Aging, Easily done at home, Takes away sun damaged skin, Loads of Positive Comments on how you look, Bottles last years, Really Affordabl

Cons:

Down Time, about a week of skin peeling, just use mild cleanser and Vaseline to Moisturize

Those that have a negative response seem to be the ones that had a lower % peel and paid hundreds of dollars to get it done by a professional. If you can follow instructions, don't panic when it burns (it is supposed to) and are careful during the recovery, you should do it at home Imo I paid $20 for 2 100% strength Tca bottles. Diluted to make a 12% solution for my first peel, 4 weeks later made a 25% peel. The results are unquestionable, really great! 6 weeks after the second, I did another 25% peel and the overall results after these 3 peels are really awesome. The best product I've ever spent such a little amount of money on. I can't believe how slack they are charging thousands of dollars for a peel you can do yourself for $20! I had fine lines around my eyes and was beginning to get dark pigmentation around my eyes (dark circles) and they are all gone, like I am 17 again. Some wouldn't use it under their eyes, but I went ahead and put it all over my including right up to my eyes.
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October 18, 2009

Pros:

Gives fresh look to skin! Done by dr, 25% first peel; 25% & 50% three weeks later due to low result of first, stings a LOT, but do not need anesthetic. He covers w/ wet, cold gauze & stinging stops quickly. Go to a dr, he can redo if not satisfied

Cons:

4 days downtime minimum. $400. Dr will not use on neck or chest as scarring can result. Used salysilic acid on that area with minimal results. Had second peel 3 weeks later with better result. Brown, scabby look day 2 & 3, peeling day 3 & 4.

I didn't have scarring or acne, but am 50 and wanted fresher skin without brown spots. I can see a line where dr didn't go right under my eye. I'm going to use weak peels and do it at home. Also have Rx for Retin A that I'll use every other day. That really makes me exfoliate, too. Better than microdermabrasion that drives those little crystals into my skin and CAUSES breakouts. If you're acne prone, DO NOT have microdermabrasion. My chin breaks out every time I have a micro. Confirmed with dermatologist that micros cause breakouts. If your dr. owns the machine and makes money from it, get a new dr.- he's cheating you.
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December 6, 2011

Pros:

Instant results.
MUAC TCA peel is VERY cheap (too bad I accidentally spilled half of it down the sink).
With the amount in the bottle, it's possible to have it last for the whole year or even more (if you do the 2 applications in a month)

Cons:

flakiness

At first, I was hesitant of putting chemicals on my face. But I've tried everything from proactive to BP creams, to putting olive oil on my face to clay masks, from milk baths to getting more sleep, running to bikram, and almost got on the accutane (yeah I know, I've spent HUNDREDs already). But after seeing multiple videos online about MUAC TCA peel, I thought maybe I should try it (I'm desperate at this point) since it's cheap and before putting myself on a medication that causes birth defects (Accutane). I bought the 12.5% since it was the recommended concentration for acneic skin. I was extremely surprised of the results. On the 1st day (12/2/2011) of applying it then several hours later of having neosporin on my face (it actually didn't hurt but I put it on to keep my face from drying out) and after washing it off, i could see the results already!! By the 5th day (12/6/2011), I started to see the flaking that people were talking about but I'm still so happy about the results. I'm quite satisfied with my skin right now and looking forward to doing the next session after the recommended two weeks. I was thinking that maybe I should up my concentration to 15%. But I feel bad about buying another one since my bottle is still pretty filled.
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Gerger
March 13, 2016
Apparently it is possible to do two or three layers to strengthen the peel I'd you have a low concentration acid :) research it first tho.
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September 10, 2010

Pros:

skin is getting better

Cons:

none

i had VI peel yesterday, my skin looks good, a little bit dry and red, but not bad! (vi peel was mild). I used Obagi for 4 month and tretinoin made my skin break out a lot, but 5 days before peel I stopped using it and after vi peel my skin is much better. I'm not peeling yet. I'll post my next review next week
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March 12, 2009

Pros:

Leaves your skin baby smooth and clear, takes 20 minutes, very mild treatment,

Cons:

Peeling takes a few days, a bit pricey

28 y/o F: If you're like me with very light acne & some scarring from your teen yrs, the Vitalize Peel is what you should get! I did it on a Fri. afternoon, started peeling by Sun. morning & got the worst of it on Mon. After that, the peeling was very mild but I felt like a leper on Mon. My face was also a bit red, but my family swore up & down it was my imagination. Maybe it was. I suffer from a lot of blackheads, which are very difficult to clean. This peel removed almost all of them & the ones that were left were at the surface. All I had to do was push lightly down and out they came! One pimple that would never go away completely & would always scar has now risen to the surface & all I have to do is wait for it to heal or burst/heal & my skin will be perfect. It's now Wed. & I have a little peeling around my neck & near my ears. Just make sure to moisturize & stay out of the sun. Best part - I only have to maintain once/year! Best decision I ever made was a Vitalize
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