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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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.
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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.
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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.
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March 29, 2007
I had a TCA peel for acne scars, indents, and dark spots. I purshased 50% Tca on e-bay. Diluted it to 35%. It worked great for me the dark spots are gone my skin looks smoother and I actually look younger. My acne scars look smaller now. I feel so much better about my self now. I dont have to hide a home. I will be doing another in about 6 months.
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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
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