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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Read All About Chemical Peels
Compare To Other Treatments
5
24.9%
4
24.2%
3
20.1%
2
14.3%
1
16.5%

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February 22, 2009

Pros:

Improves skin tone, color, acne, scars (smoothes the scar) and affordable!

Cons:

Takes several treatments (5-6) to see improvement.

If you have bad acne, I recommend you to get this treatment asap before you get acne scar.
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January 1, 2009

Pros:

Affordable compared to other peels.

Cons:

This is a harsh peel, and you will not be presentable outside. Skin peeled off in sheets, but after that I looked no better. No one ever knew I had a peel.

I don't think I would do this again. My skin didn't look any better after the peel. If you rub your face, your skin will turn red and you will scar. I was very disappointed with the results.
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July 27, 2008

Pros:

skin with out acne is smoother

Cons:

my pitted scar was deeper, more and more acne appears at the area which i have nv experience acne before

i have more ance after the peel and its getting worst after each seesion. the doctor say for the 1st 3 months my acne wil get worst because the seed below my skin is being resurface....i dont knwo wherther its true...but compared to my face 3 months ago...i wish i have never try doing chemical peel..its much more better back then
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July 3, 2008

Pros:

My medical insurance covered the cost of the peel. Had a salicylic peel at the dermatologist's office.

Cons:

Stinged a more longer in areas of my face. Left the office with SO much moisturizer that I looked completely greased up.

It brought to the surface all of the whiteheads and blackheads that were hiding. You look worse before you get better but it was mild enough that you can deal with it. I WILL get it done again esp since I only had to pay my co-pay for my medical insurance.
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June 21, 2008

Pros:

Smoother skin and Reduced redness

Cons:

Flaky, Tightiness on the face and Embarrassing 3 or 4 days after the peel.

I started to have acne when I was 16 and it is just became part of my life. Proactive, Murad, AcneFree etc. they all did reduced my ance breakout but I never good the same clean face look and had some scars and red spots. I tried this chemical V-treatment. And, its been only 6 days that I had my first peel and my old scards are fading away. I look much better with less scar and red spotted face. Few people have noticed it and commented on my skin. So I am feeling better. ( Hopefully, after my 2nd and 3rd peel. It will get better and better!. Just waiting to see clear smooth face.
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May 17, 2008

Pros:

well i did alot of research was back and forth on wanting to get a chemical peel. so i went to a clinic and got vitalized peel on friday today is saturday its just kinda red like a sunburn but am now worried after reading some of these results

Cons:

the results im trying to achieve is i have a red spot right on my nose that i want gone and my pores smaller and i have a little bit of acne

i am a caucasion female 24, i might now have realized been too young for a chemical peel, however there are some benefits. i already paid for 3 treatments at a discounted price so i could try going for one more and see but im gonna see how it goes once i start peeling on my first one. im wondering could a vitalized peel do much damage?
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May 24, 2007

Pros:

evened out my skin tone temporarily

Cons:

caused further scaring from excessive peeling....for pickers the peeling skin is bad news, i constantly wanted to pick

After I had shed all the skin my face was glowing for about a week, but then it went right back to its old ways with even more scarring from excessive peeling I am going to try again with a lower level peel, change my diet and keep my hands off my face
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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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December 21, 2006
I had a 35% tca peel for my acne scars at a Dermatologist's office a month ago. It looks a ton worse than before. I orginally had the erbium laser (with a little C02)done about 8 months ago. After that my scars ended up only looking about 35% better. Then he recommended this peel on my left cheek. It made my scars look about as bad as they were before the laser surgery. DO NOT USE THE TCA PEEL!! My $4,000 has went down the drain. If he doesn't fix this I will make sure to post his name and city on this site so you know what docter to avoid. If you tried anything that actually works PLEASE let us all know.
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October 5, 2006

Pros:

excellent reslults for acneic,aging and sun damaged clients

Cons:

irritation
redness
peeling

i am an aesthetician in las vegas and i have read some of the comments about peels. the bottom line is .you must maintain proper skincare mantainence at home as well as repeat visits to your skincare specialist.it does not happen over night and you should have a series of treatments not 3-4 months apart. this time span will not give you the result you are seeking. my clients come in for a series of 5 treatments in a row 14-21 days apart then we start customized facials for 3 months (1 a month) then start the series as needed. you are responsible as a client to maintain your proper skincare regimein at home as well, this is how it works hand and hand. most times clients have a false since of what their skin really looks like and the expectation is too high .take a photo at the begining of the treatment then at the end, you will definately see a difference good luck and don't give up. remember its you skin wear it well
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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.
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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.

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Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

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