Acne.org Products
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
September 8, 2009
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!
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.
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.
October 16, 2009
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
Pros:
found it improves the look of the skin, leaving it bright and young looking. definitely believe in doing them yourself as its much cheaper and can control how much you use.
Cons:
red for a few days, but on the third, it all usually comes up and suddenly look heaps better
depends on where you buy it and how much you use. id often use 30%-50% on myself and then apply vitamin e healing cream off the net. I get acne pretty easilly and this didnt make any worse. a few blackheads actually came out as I peeled, its a good feeling. think the results are permaenent, would do it more than once though, just to keep the improvements coming, the look after your skin :)
July 6, 2011
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
Pros:
Nothing
Cons:
pitted scars, doesn't reduce acne
i had a really bad breakout a few winters ago that i couldnt seem to get under control. I went to sk:n (uk dermatologists) and got 6 sessions of gycolic peels over the course of a few months. it did not help for my acne at all and i am left with permanent pitted scars on my cheeks to this day. the acid has a kind of melting effect and dissolves ur skin away leaving a big hole where ur pores used to be. this kind of treatment is probably best for ppl who do not have any active pimples and just want to get rid of superficial scarring - it's not the best thing to use if u have pustules. if anything it just aggravates ur acne even more.
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.
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.
December 7, 2009
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
Pros:
Doesn't seem to be very detrimental if you follow the instructions
Cons:
I didn't see any improvement during or after treatment
I used 35% glycolic acid peel as directed for 8 weeks, 1 treatment per week. I did tend to break out a few days right after each weekly session. I used lotion following the use of this product. I didn't see any results when I was done as i was expecting to. I was disappointed.
October 26, 2010
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
Pros:
Smooth skin, lightening of dark spots, tightening of pores, wrinkles look less noticible
Cons:
Acne will flare up for a few days
I am 45 and have had acne since I was 25. It is hormonal 100% for women. Birth Control pills helped. Taking Accutane for a yr kept me free of acne for 5 yrs. Then it returned. Antibotics were useless. Those who use these glycolic peels without there hormonal problems under control will be unhappy because the acne will keep surfacing over and over again because the hormones keeps making the acne every month. This is how I felt about the peels in my 20's and 30's. The peels turned my face into a giant zit farm. I couldnt leave the house. (The exception was when Accutane got rid of the acne entirely) Now at 45, when I do the peels, small clusters of acne surface as my face clears out. But this is nothing like my 20's or 30's. This is manageable and the acid is doing its work. It will take time for the skin to rid itself of the clogged pores as I still have weak hormones still wreaking a bit of havoc. For those of you who are leaving it on for 10-15 minutes and not noticing anything at all, you have very sun damaged skin. You will need to keep doing the peels for a very very long time. You have a lot of dead skin to work through. You may wish to see a professional and ask there advice. These acids work wonders when applyed properly to the right canidates. Never apply to broken skin or onto wounds. Good luck and to beautiful skin!
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
November 25, 2009
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
Pros:
Smoother skin...
Red marks are fading (slowly).
Cons:
Whiteheads and pustules turn into scabs right after the peel.
Slight initial breakout.
Kinda expensive.
2 years post-accutane, I had a major breakout of tiny whiteheads and blackheads alll over my face. They weren't too noticeable from a few feet away, but the texture was horrible. It was especially noticeable in direct sunlight. After a few months the small bumps began turning into pustules and papules, one by one. They're not too difficult to pop at this stage, but they always leave a pink mark afterwards. I was put on differin XP and cindasol, and have recently had my first glycolic peel (70%). The first few days were horrible. Lots of scabs and redness, but as the days went by, the results got slightly better. My face is a bit smoother now (2 weeks after the peel), and some red marks seem to be fading, but the overall results aren't too noticeable. In fact, i think the red marks got darker in a few places... I'm going to try at home 60% peels every 2-3 weeks and see if that works for me. Apparently the results begin to show after a few treatments. Wish me luck.
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.