The answer is yes, it is good to get a chemical peel. It’s important to understand that there are different types of chemical peels and each one will have its own unique results. Chemical peels come in many varieties, but they all work by removing the top layer of skin cells. This allows the new skin that forms underneath to be more vibrant and even-toned. Chemical peels can help you achieve a more youthful appearance by getting rid of acne scars, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. They can also improve your complexion by smoothing out uneven skin texture.
There are different levels of depth that a peel can go down into the skin (how deep it penetrates) as well as different types of chemicals used during the procedure (depending on what your goals are). The depth level depends on how much damage you want to do to your skin—the deeper it goes down into the layers of your skin, the more damage it will cause; however, this can also mean faster results if you’re looking for something with more immediate impact instead of something long-term like anti-aging treatments or scarring from acne scars.
Read on to learn more about Is It Good To Get A Chemical Peel, Chemical Peel Or Microdermabrasion For Acne Scars
Is It Good To Get A Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is a restorative cosmetic procedure that may help reduce the signs of aging on your face.
During a chemical peel, a dermatologist will apply a chemical solution to your skin. This solution peels away damaged skin cells, allowing healthy skin to grow in their place.
This may help improve common skin concerns, such as:
- wrinkles
- hyperpigmentation
- acne
- uneven skin texture
However, the exact results will depend on many factors, including the severity of your skin issues and the type of peel you receive.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of chemical peels, their benefits, and what to expect during recovery.
What to know about different types of chemical peels
Your dermatologist can work with you to help determine whether a light, medium, or deep chemical peel is best for your skin and the concerns you’re looking to treat.
Light chemical peel
A light chemical peel, or superficial peel, will lightly exfoliate your skin. It only removes the epidermis, which is your topmost skin layer.
A light chemical peel is usually used for:
- fine wrinkles
- uneven skin tone
- acne
- dry skin
This treatment uses mild chemical agents, so it’s usually safe to get light chemical peels every 2 to 5 weeks.
Medium chemical peel
A medium chemical peel is slightly stronger than a light peel. It removes your epidermis plus the top layer of your dermis, which lies beneath the epidermis.
A medium peel is typically used for:
- wrinkles
- uneven skin tone
- acne scars
You may need several treatments to get the results you want.
Deep chemical peel
A deep chemical peel removes your epidermis, along with the upper and middle layer of your dermis. It uses very strong chemicals, so you may need a local anesthetic before the procedure. This will help prevent pain and discomfort.
A deep chemical peel is best suited for:
- deeper wrinkles
- deeper scars
- precancerous skin patches
The effects of this peel can last for 10 years, so it’s done only once. You won’t need repeated treatments.
What are the benefits?
Chemical peels can improve many skin issues. Let’s look at some of the most common ones that chemical peels may help treat.
Acne
Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition. It’s often treated with topical products or oral medication, but chemical peels may also help.
The procedure can:
- break down comedones (plugged hair follicles)
- decrease oil production
- kill bacteria
- reduce inflammation
- increase absorption of topical treatments
Light and medium chemical peels are usually used to improve acne.
Acne scars
As acne heals, the skin creates new collagen fibers in an attempt to repair lesions that have been created by inflamed skin.
The production of new collagen fibers can create hypertrophic scars, which are bumpy and raised, or atrophic scars, which create depressions in your skin.
A chemical peel can help by exfoliating the top skin layer, which removes excess collagen. Medium chemical peels are typically recommended for acne scars.
Rosacea
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes redness, swelling, and red bumps. If it also causes acne-like breakouts, it’s known as acne rosacea.
Sometimes, a chemical peel can help relieve these symptoms. It’s typically recommended for mild or moderate rosacea.
Aging skin
Chemical peels may reduce signs of aging, including:
- wrinkles
- fine lines
- age spots
- uneven skin tone
- roughness
- dryness
- liver spots
When skin grows back after a chemical peel, it triggers the production of collagen and elastin. This can help make your skin supple and strong, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
The new skin that grows back is also smoother, which helps decrease roughness and dryness.
Chemical peels aren’t recommended for removing deep wrinkles, however. It also won’t tighten sagging skin.
Hyperpigmentation
In addition to acne scars and age spots, chemical peels can improve other forms of hyperpigmentation, such as:
- uneven skin tone
- melasma
- freckles
- surgical scars
- scars due to injury
- discoloration due to sun damage
Dullness
If you have a dull complexion, you may benefit from chemical peels.
The treatment allows new skin to resurface, which may help your complexion look brighter and healthier.
Precancerous growths
Actinic keratoses are rough skin patches caused by years of sun exposure. They’re known as precancerous growths, since they can potentially turn into skin cancer.
A deep chemical peel can remove these growths and decrease your risk of skin cancer.
Who’s a good candidate for a chemical peel?
Like other cosmetic treatments, chemical peels are not appropriate for everyone.
You might be a good candidate if you have:
- generally healthy skin
- mild scarring
- superficial wrinkles
- a lighter complexion
On the other hand, it’s best to avoid chemical peels if you:
- have sagging skin
- have deep wrinkles or scars
- frequently develop cold sores
- have a history of abnormal skin scarring
- have psoriasis or atopic dermatitis
- have a darker skin tone (higher risk of hyperpigmentation)
- have recently taken an oral acne treatment
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have a compromised immune system
- have undergone radiation therapy or recent surgery
- have heart disease (if considering deep chemical peels)
What’s the recovery process like?
As your skin heals, you may need to apply a protective ointment. You’ll also need to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
The recovery process is different for each type of peel. Let’s take a closer look at what recovery may be like for the different chemical peels.
Light chemical peel
After a light chemical peel, you may experience mild irritation and dryness. You can typically wear makeup the following day and resume your normal skin care activities, like cleansing and moisturizing .
It will most likely take between 1 to 7 days for your skin to fully heal.
Medium chemical peel
The most common side effects of a medium chemical peel include:
- swelling
- redness
- stinging
In most cases, you can safely wear makeup within 5 to 7 days.
The recovery process typically lasts 7 to 14 days. You may have some redness for several months, though.
Deep chemical peel
The most common side effects of a deep chemical peel include:
- crusting
- swelling
- severe redness
The swelling can last for 14 days, while the redness may last for 3 months.
It may take up to 14 days for your skin to grow back. During this time, you’ll need to wear a surgical dressing and take medication for the pain.
You can typically start wearing makeup after 14 days.
Although rare, deep chemical peels can be associated with more severe side effects and complications, including:
- infection
- bruising
- delayed wound healing
- reactivation of herpes simplex virus
The bottom line
A chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment that removes the top layer of your skin. This can help minimize wrinkles, dullness, hyperpigmentation, and scarring. It may also help skin disorders like acne and rosacea.
However, a chemical peel can’t treat deep wrinkles and scarring. It also won’t tighten loose skin or reverse sun damage. To determine whether a chemical peel is right for you, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider.
Chemical Peel Vs Microdermabrasion Vs Laser
Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and lasers are all different methods that work to remove the outer layer of skin. The main difference is the depth of penetration, which affects how effective each method will be at getting rid of acne scars.
Chemical Peel
A chemical peel uses a strong solution that removes the top layer of your skin. This procedure can be done in a dermatologist’s office or at home and doesn’t require anesthesia. A chemical peel is often used to treat wrinkles, age spots, freckles and other hyperpigmentation problems. Chemical peels can also be used on acne scars since they help exfoliate the skin to reveal new cells underneath. However, they may not be as effective as laser resurfacing or microdermabrasion because they only penetrate a few millimeters into the skin and don’t remove damaged layers like these treatments do.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion involves using a handheld wand with tiny crystals that exfoliate your skin by blasting away dead cells from the surface without damaging it too much (like laser treatments can do). The wand emits low-pressure suction over the affected area for about 30 minutes per session until desired results are achieved. This treatment
Chemical peel vs microdermabrasion vs laser: which one is best for your skin?
Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and lasers are all popular skin treatments. They all have their pros and cons, but which one is best for you? Let’s take a look at each of these three popular procedures and how they compare to one another:
Chemical peels: A chemical peel is a type of cosmetic procedure that uses acid to remove the uppermost layers of dead skin cells. The process can be done by applying the acid directly to the skin or by applying it to a cotton pad and then holding it in place on the affected area. You may feel some burning sensation while the acid is applied, but most people feel little discomfort during or after the procedure.
Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion uses metal brushes or sponges to scrub away dead skin cells from your face, neck, chest and hands. These tools are applied while you lie on a padded table. Once they’ve removed all the dead skin cells (usually within 15 minutes), you’ll rinse off with warm water before applying moisturizer as needed. Some people may experience some redness or swelling following treatment, but this should go away
Chemical peels
The biggest difference between chemical peels and microdermabrasion lies in is how dead skin cells are removed from the skin. A chemical peel is just that, it comes in a chemical form and exfoliates your skin using a chemical solution to dissolve the connection that holds dead skin cells together. The dead skin cells then peel off resulting in new healthier skin underneath.
Chemical Peel Or Microdermabrasion For Acne Scars
You may have wondered what the difference is between a chemical peel and microdermabrasion. Both treatments are a form of exfoliation of the skin. Exfoliation is the act of removing dead skin cells from the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. The easiest way to maintain healthy skin is by keeping it free and clear of dead skin cells. The difference between microdermabrasion and chemical peels is that they are two different types of exfoliation: microdermabrasion is a physical exfoliation and chemical peels are a chemical exfoliation.
While microdermabrasion works well on superficial skin imperfections (some acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and sun spots), a chemical peel is more effective on serious skin problems like deeper scars and wrinkles.
Microdermabrasion is a manual exfoliation of the epidermis to remove dead skin cells, debris and impurities. Normally, an instrument which combines suction and a wand made of diamond or small crystal particles is used to remove particles from the skin. Microdermabrasion produces instant results, but may not be a good choice for inflamed, sensitive or rosacea type skin. Microdermabrasion encourages collagen stimulation and a more rapid cell turnover in the skin. After microdermabrasion, skin will appear softer, smoother, brighter, clearer, fresher and younger looking. Although it is primarily used on the face, it can be used on other parts of the body from the neck to chest, to hands, etc. To maintain the healthy glow associated with microdermabrasion, it is recommended once a month for optimum results. Appointments made too close together could irritate and redden the skin.
Chemical peels use topical applications of peeling solutions to rejuvenate the skin, address fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, tone and texture. Chemical peels involve controlled removal of varying layers of the skin with the use of a chemical agent. Chemical peels are often categorized according to the depth of the peel:
- Light Chemical Peel: This kind of peel removes just the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) in a light exfoliation.
- Medium Chemical Peel: This type of peel removes skin cells from both the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and upper part of the middle layer of skin (dermis).
- Deep Chemical Peel: The chemical used for this type of peel penetrates down to the lower dermal layer. A deep chemical peel usually involves a pretreatment for up to eight weeks to prepare the skin for the peel and to speed the healing process.