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.

 [more]
3.3
216
5
23.6%
4
27.3%
3
21.3%
2
12.5%
1
15.3%

Used Chemical Peels? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
Number of Stars
Choose All That Apply
Clear All Filters
Done
August 10, 2020
chemical peel

Benzoyl peroxide usually helps control my mild acne, but since I had some hyperpigmentation I decided to get a chemical peel done. So far I am only on day 2, but my acne came back worse than before ( even though it had cleared up), I am not sure if I am purging or just having a bad reaction, but I will write an update in a week. As of right now it looks terrible, probably the worst it has ever been. 

This Was Helpful

Report
August 18, 2014
Pricey
I've gone to a few places to have chemical peels done but I have not gone enough times to see any results. I personally think they are way too expensive especially at doctor's offices so I prefer to let my scarring go away on its own.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 20, 2009

Pros:

none

Cons:

SEVER ACNE BREAKE OUT HYPERPIGMENT DARK UGLY SPOT ALL OVER.

I had a Laser Genesis Treatment in Phila. The "sales person" thats bascially what they are they dont care. she told me its a wonderful treatment my skin will glow i will look younger so i had 1 treatment 2 days later i was breaking out like a mad women i never had acne before 3 months later my face is cover with large and tiny underground pimples. i have dark ugly spot all over. i been using a salicylic acid peel its my 4th peel but my skin has not improve im so depress i look like sh*t. if anyone tried any product and it work please recommend.
This Was Helpful

66 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 19, 2009

Pros:

i havent seen them yet...so the above "how well it works...agreeability...affordability" isn't accurate

Cons:

burns during the process. So far, my skin has gotten more pimples, red, a type of acne i hadn't seen ebfore. I can't go out in the sun.

I just got the chemical peel yesterday, but so far, i havn't seen any improvement, and i think my skin has actually gotten worse. I didn't have any on my chin, now there are visible pimples, and around my cheeks i can deffientely see more acne. My doctor did say that every two weeks i would need another peel, and i would see a clear face between the third and fourth peel. I really hope she's right becouse i've been hiding behind my acne for a while now. I'll post the results of the later peels once (or if) my face gets clear.
This Was Helpful

Report
June 18, 2009

Pros:

Can't find any

Cons:

EZ Peel information on Anais Website states no frosting or burning. I got just the opposite in addition to huge brown-birh mark looking blotches. This is not a simple peel.

I put one coat of EZ Peel on my entire face. I set the timer for 3 mintues but washed off in less due to burning. It did frost and on the same day I had huge brown blotches which resemble birth marks on my cheeks and chin. I contacted Anais only to get vague responses. If you read the ad it states there is no down time, no frosting, a light flakey peel in a few days. I do not take any medication and EZ Peel states there is no pre-conditioning required to use this product. I have been off work without pay for several days now because I cannot be seen like this. Makeup does not cover it. I just have to wait it out and hope I did not ruin my skin. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 7, 2009

Pros:

hoping for clear skin after all this peeling from my vi peel

Cons:

i had uneven skin tone hoping to clear this up

i paid for only two treatments and three isaloz ane treatment thats great it totally lifted my face would recommend this treatment not sure about the vipeel maybe in two more days all together these treatments cost me $1500
This Was Helpful

Report
March 7, 2009

Pros:

None as yet

Cons:

Made some of my spots worse, and I actually have gained some wrinkles that I didn't have before. I now believe your epidermis is there for reason and should not be burnt off! The skin is now much more sensitive and open to damage.

Totally not worth the cost. I've had one out of my four TCA peels. They've told me to have the other 3 one week apart but I think I'll pass - I do not believe they are beneficial and for acne prone skin it makes us unable to use deep cleansing products as you then have to be so gentle with the damaged skin. Don't bother - have lots of facials and use good products instead.
This Was Helpful

Report
February 6, 2009

Pros:

no swelling, almost no downtime

Cons:

face waive, discolorate, horrible texture and loss of eye lashes

I have a lot of dark spots, and I did the fraxel on nov 2008, I did swell so bad for a week, but my skin was glowing, nice texture but still had dark spot, I doctor recommended a Jessner peel, I had a week ago, the result are terrible, I have hyperpigmentation, more dark spots than ever, really waive face pink brown skin, I regret to have this done. My doctor said to wait a month to go back to normal. I am so depress
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
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.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
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.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 2
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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:

  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.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

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.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website