Chemical Peels
Results
Side Effects

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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Compare To Other Treatments
5
24.9%
4
24.2%
3
20.1%
2
14.3%
1
16.5%

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March 22, 2013

Pros:

Amazing value, results in only a few weeks, minimal downtime and cost

Cons:

Very gross feeling when it is being applied, you look like you have plastic wrap on your face for a few days

I was given a 7% auto-neutralizing peel at a local doctor's office (more than strong enough and I'm a guy with II-III level acne that was cleared with doxy). The results were very good compared to the three microderms I got at the same office - and each of those was also $100! Def worth a shot and so much cheaper than lasers! Results can still be seen a year later!
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June 19, 2009

Pros:

Skin is very smooth, haven't had any breakouts since getting monthly peels.

Cons:

None

I have been getting salicylic acid peels about every month for the past three months. I did a series of glycolic peels but they didn't work as well in controlling breakouts. The day after the peel my skin feels very tight and need lots of moisture but doesn't peel. I don't think it has done anything to make my wrinkles less noticeable (I am 38) but it has reduced my breakouts drastically plus my skin feels really smooth and just looks better overall. I really recommend getting them!!
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February 24, 2009

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

EVERYTHING

My skin is horrible. i had a glycolic peel and my face broke out like never before. My cheeks, forehead, and chin now have acne and i have horrible post hyperpigmentation now. The new acne now takes weeks to go away, when it used to only take a couple of days. i just cry and cry now because it was the biggest mistake I made. I had perfect skin last yr and now this year, im just a mess. The peel made it 10x worse.
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November 8, 2008

Pros:

Had no pros.

Cons:

Made my skin worst with horrible break outs

I had some acne scars I wanted to get rid off, so I tried the peel. Instead of getting rid of the scars it made me break out severely!! I am now dealing with acne again. I had two TCA peels. The first one I had minor break out. The dermatologist said it was normal and that they would go away. So I did a second one hoping that she was right. After the second one my break outs went out of control. My face is red and full of acne now. I am now having to deal with another dermatologist that is trying to help me clear up. I am desperate to get rid of this acne. I am 26 but look like a teenager going through puberty. I would not recommend this procedure to anyone. It worsen me and has made my life horrible.
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June 5, 2008

Pros:

I used a 12.5% TCA peel at home. It worked well with immediate results. Skin flaked and peeled two days later and then was a little red. Did this on Friday night and Monday morning my skin looked great.

Cons:

Really no cons. I have had professional peels before (5 yrs ago) and knew what to expect. I could have used a stronger peel but wanted to be conservative. Had to layer the peel on brown spots from severe sun damage but that was easily done.

I ordered from Makeup Artists Choice and there website has lots of information and warnings. I am ordering my second peel and going up to 18% so that I can use this on my neck and hands. Best bet is to start slow and move up, you can always layer up to 5 layers in problem areas after you do the first peel and feel comfortable with the results and procedures. The hands and necks where there was more damaged and leathery skin definitely needed layering and took longer for the skin to peel. Results were not as dramatic however, I will repeat the peel once a month with the higher concentration until most of the damage is gone. There is definitely improvement in the hands and neck but to get maximum results will take more applications. Use neosporin as directed and sun screen religiously and wear a hat for the first months or so... Have already recommended this product. It is great!
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May 18, 2008

Pros:

My skin looked good for about six days

Cons:

Scaring.

I am 55 years old and I have brown spots and crepe type wrinkling on my cheeks. I did a ton of research on chemical peels and had it done by a plastic surgeon. I had the 35% TCA chemical peel. After the peeling, on day six, it looked great. NOW, ten days later and three thousand dollars, I have what I think will be a scar on a large portion of my left cheek. The brown spots and wrinkles are coming back. On the upside, my face looks brighter because it did diminish the appearance of the light brown spots on my skin. Would I do it again? No. Now I have to deal with the scar on my face. Hopefully it will fade, but I didn't think I was going to spend $3,000.00 to have a scar on my face. Not worth it.
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January 14, 2008

Pros:

I had a little sun damage from a long vacation and mild acne prone skin, so my derm did a 25% TCA peel. It really evened out my complexion and my skin has been clear for the last 6 weeks! Fantastic results and I will be doing it again soon!

Cons:

I looked horrible for about 12 days! I spent most of my time inside and when I went out I wore a big hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

You will look a lot worse before you look better!

I suggest going to a dermatologist etc to get it done the first time before trying it yourself so you know how it is supposed to look and feel... I was very happy with the results and I plan on going back for another 2 or 3 peels because I still have some freckling on my forehead that I want removed. Lot's of downtime but the results are worth it! Do not go outside for prolonged periods when you are healing, if you have to go out wear a big hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Post peel: Wear a hat and sunscreen or you will get more sun damage then you started out with because your skin is now more sensitive!
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December 18, 2007

Pros:

I like the glycolic acid peel. It is gentle but effective. It improves skin texture and appreance.

Cons:

a little bit of stinging but doesnt hurt that bad

I bought a bottle of 30% glycolic acid for about $15.00. I do it 1-2 times a week. It improved my acne greatly and improved my skin tone and texture. My skin looks amazing. I reccommend this for anyone who doesnt want to go throught a TCA peel which is very very painful.
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October 6, 2007

Pros:

Good for management/prevention of breakouts.
Improvement in tone/pigment.

Cons:

Multiple procedures required.
Peeling can get annoying.
Won't improve redness/plush, and not the best choice for moderate/severe acne.

This is specifically for the VitaPeel - which I didn't see anywhere else on this board. VitaPeel is great. I have seen a huge reduction in breakouts, and great improvement in skin tone, reduction in pigment, and improvement in scars. I use this combined with the Fraxel (for scars) and V-beam (for redness) - see my reviews on these for more info. Use: Did 2 in first month initially to clear up the skin, then have done once a month for management/prevention of breakouts.
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August 20, 2007

Pros:

smoother skin, eliminates very shallow scars

Cons:

painful!

I did the medium peel. My skin is 'sensitive' and so the doctor decided on a 25% TCA peel. I went into the procedure, perhaps foolishly, expecting it to be like a tingling sensation when the TCA is applied. Not so. The acid burns like the dickens, and the treatment is roughly equivalent to getting a second-degree burn on your face. Apparently you can have pain medication to ease the pain during the treatment. This might be a good idea to consider, but my main recommendation from the procedure is this: insist that your doctor give you an anti-swelling medication for post-op. My doc gave me two pills. It might have been helpful to have a few more. Secondly: DON'T RUB YOUR EYES. It's a very uncomfortable sensation to have skin peeling around your eyes. However, you will just cause your eyes to burn if you rub them. Plus, they could get infected. Lastly, play videogames to keep your hands off your face. Don't pick at your skin, unless you like having your face burned off.
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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:

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