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
March 23, 2019
Salicylic and Pyruvic Peels
I had 3 each of these peels over a space of 3 months. I stopped using any benzoyl peroxide treatments whilst having these peels as I was not allowed and they ended up doing about the same as what benzoyl peroxide every night does. I was on the antibiotic lymecycline whilst having these peels and my skin got a lot worse after the first 2 peels but seemed to get better after each one. They made my skin a great texture with no side effects wheres benzoyl peroxide made my skin very dry and red however, the peels cost around £650 for 6 wheres a topical treatment costs £8.80 on prescription. Chemical peels are just hit and miss depending on your acne and unfortunately they didn't work for me the way I wanted them too however, if you have the money to do so though I would definitely say give it a go - it is a great experience but an expensive one!
April 24, 2016
not really worth it for cystic/hormonal acne :/
I've gotten a chemical peel twice and both times have really done nothing much except for the areas where I didn't have any acne anyway
Basically, if you wanna get rid of scars or huge pores or black/white heads, then yeah, by all means this works.
It did dry up the pimples and cystic acne I had, and it came off, however, after those were peeled off, I saw brand new ones underneath. Like yes, it'll take your current pimples out, but if you consistently get acne, then there would be new ones underneath.
Basically, after both times, my skin still wasn't anything close to being clear. As tempting as it is I do not want to go through a week of that again. Not quite worth it
July 27, 2015
Results were not immediate.
I am 29 and have been battling acne for more than 10 years due to pcos. I came off birth control pills about 2 years ago and needed some alternative treatment as a preventive measure. My concerns now are oily skin, some discolourations and occasional breakouts. The derm suggested alternating between microdermabrasion and light chemical peels every four weeks. I did not see any difference at all till the third chemical peel and this was about four months after I started this programme. The derm also gave me 10% AHA cream and acne gel to apply every night, which also didn't do much for my skin. In fact I thought my skin was looking especially dull during this period. Everybody also told me the same. I am however quite pleased with the results after the recent chemical peel. I am happy I continued going for the treatments but I wonder if it is normal to see results until much later since my peels were light? My skin now is radiant, the discoloration and most of the milia seeds are gone and no blocked pores.
December 4, 2013
Chemical peels work to an extent
Cons:
Very expensive
Does not get rid of all the acne
Something you have to keep up with
I have the typical hormonal acne that comes with The teenage years. About once every month I go to get a chemical peel to calm my skin down and to get rid of all the filth and dirt on my skin. It does do a fantastic job of cleansing the skin and keeping the acne under control...for the most part. It does not cure me from the acne completely, but I have a gone a few months without getting a peel and my skin looked terrible. It is something that you have to keep up with and can be very expensive.
March 24, 2012
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
Pros:
lightens
Cons:
burns
redness
Sooooo I bought the 30% Glycolic Peel and ive been using it twice a week on my neck and chest for to months now and I havent seen that big of a change. Im 20 years old and ive been suffering from acne DARK MARKS for about 4 years and ive literally tried everything. I dont know if I should get a stronger version of this or get a skinbrightening cream. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
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
July 28, 2010
Pros:
I did my own peel and the results were good. Some sloughing but after 3-4 days it was gone.
Cons:
None really other than going w/o makeup for 4 days.
Denise, if you have pimples all over your face from the laser three mo. ago why have you already had 4 peels since then? You should always wait after you have a procedure done to give your face time to settle down. Also, peels are not suppose to be done more than 1-2 times per mo. so I do not see how you've had 4 if you would have needed to give your face at least two months to calm down. If it was me, I would have given my face a good six mo. before trying anything else. Most things with the skin will clear up on their own.
April 16, 2010
Pros:
Skin can improve if chemical peel reacts correctly to skin. First experience was good...Second was not.
Cons:
Dark pigmentation.
I had a chemical peel (TCA 30%) about two years ago. The results were good/fair. There was about 4-5 days of downtime (e.g., redness, excessive peeling...) which was difficult to deal with (I hate staying indoors!!). My acne did clear up and my skin appeared tighter and healthier. I would like to emphasize the importance of wearing sunscreen daily especially after a chemical which i did comply with after my treatment. After a couple of months my skin appeared to return to the way it looked prior to treatment. Recently, I wanted to touch up some fine lines and wrinkles. So I ordered the product (TCA 30%) and got started when i had some time off from work. For some reason this time, may skin changed color in some of the areas i treated. I am lucky i did not do a full face peel. It is not a severe discoloration but it is still apparent to me (pink/red color). Makeup does a bad job of concealing it. It has been two months and I still notice the discoloration. This is disappointing. If i had to do it over again I would definitely go with a lower concentration of tca.
July 2, 2015
Marie, I do not know your natural skin color but TCA peels on darker or ethnic skin are NOT recommended just for the exact result you experienced!
December 22, 2009
Pros:
I think it does make a difference. It is cheaper and less painful than other treatments and requires no medications or anesthesia.
Cons:
I think it takes a while to notice a difference. You need to be careful for a few day after treatment, and it only works on mild scarring.
I think if you only have minimal scarring you should try it. My skin had very little pit marks and was mostly discolored. It seemed to improve my skin but I am also very fair skinned so depigmentation works differently for me than for other people.
December 19, 2009
Product used: Glycolic Acid Peel
Pros:
I am supposed to see some fresh, baby skin and smoother, tighter complexion, less brown spots
Cons:
I have not peeled, the acutual peel stung and was uncomfortable, but not horrible. I am breaking out like I have never before. this sucks
I don't know yet, but I am one day 3 and today I woke up with tons of white heads and raised red areas on my face..close together clusters of pimples..this royally sucks I onlyusually have hormonally related acne, or sweating related when I work out, etc, which is minimal.
but now I am broken out all over the place.
Pros:
Cleanses the skin
Prevents many future breakouts