A chemical peel is intended to achieve one of several goals, such as rejuvenate skin, reduce discoloration and pigmentation, even out skin tone, improve acne scars and acne marks, reduce wrinkles and fine lines. The process is simple. A chemical solution is applied to the skin, usually with a cotton ball or gauze pad. The solution is then allowed to stay on the skin for about 5 minutes before being blended off with distilled water for about 15-20 seconds. The entire process takes about 10 minutes and can be repeated weekly until you reach your desired results.
Chemical peels improve the appearance of acne scars by using a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of old skin. The new skin that replaces it is usually smoother and less scarred in appearance.
Read on to learn more about Is Chemical Peel Good For Acne Scars, best chemical peel for acne scars dermatologist and chemical peel for acne scars cost
Is Chemical Peel Good For Acne Scars
If you’ve had acne before or have it right now, you understand how difficult it can be to get rid of those pesky bumps, blackheads, and whiteheads on your face. Acne is the most common skin condition globally and affects most teens and young adults in America. If you’ve clicked on this article, you’re probably wondering if you can treat acne with a chemical peel.
Well, you’re in luck. You can treat acne with a chemical peel. They are an excellent solution to clear up acne and even acne scars. However, chemical peels must be completed with care and handled by a board-certified dermatologist. Here, we’ll outline a bit about chemical peels, the types of chemical peels, and which peels are right for you.
But first, what is acne?
Acne, known as acne vulgaris, happens when your pores become clogged with excess oil dirt, dead skin cells, or bacteria. In some cases, these clogged pores can cause inflammation. Acne is more common in teenagers and young adults. However, some older women can develop acne. The result could be a raised bumps that can manifest in different ways, including:
- Papules or small, tender, red bumps.
- Pustules or pimples with pus at the tips
- Whiteheads or blackheads are closed or open clogged pores.
- Large nodules or cystic acne
Over time, if left untreated, large nodules or cystic acne scars can form. Your acne could be due to hormones, genetics, stress, diet, or the side effect of certain medications. Most cases respond well to over-the-counter medication and prescription medication. However, some patients with mild to moderate acne and scars need more help.
Let’s peel the curtain back on chemical peels.
Chemical peels are special acid solutions applied to the face by a board-certified dermatologist or certified esthetician. When applied correctly, the acid solution damages and removes the top layer of dull skin over 2 weeks (or sometimes more). The peel reveals smooth, healthier skin underneath. Chemical peels have been around for several decades and treat a range of skin conditions. These include:
- Hyperpigmentation (dark spots), sun spots, age spots, and liver spots
- Uneven skin tone
- Melasma
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Rough skin or a dull complexion
- Scars
- Acne
Chemical peels happen in several sessions and can treat even deep acne scars. Your dermatologist will use different types of peels to target different layers of your skin.
Type of chemical peels
Our skin has different layers, namely the stratum corneum, epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. As a result, different chemical peels impact our skin at different depths. There are three types of peels your dermatologist can perform.
- A superficial or lunchtime peel targets the top layer or epidermis. These peels have minimal downtime and take just a few minutes (hence the name lunchtime peel since patients tend to do them on their lunch break). These are perfect for minor skin issues.
- Medium-depth peel goes a bit deeper into the epidermis and impacts part of the dermis. This peel helps with deeper issues like wrinkles and scarring.
- A deep chemical peel is a specific peel used for severe skin conditions. These peels impact the deeper layers of the dermis and require lengthy downtime. Deep peels happen under anesthesia and need extensive skincare before and after the procedure. Common reasons for deep peels include sun damage, scars, blotchy skin, and pre-cancerous growths.
Your dermatologist will use different types of acids for each peel at different concentrations. These peels also work well for the different types of acne. However, your dermatologist will perform an individual, detailed skin examination first to determine the right peel for you.
The benefits of chemical peels on acne
For the best results, your dermatologist will perform several peels over several weeks. Deep chemical peels happen once and require an extended healing period. After the full treatment, chemical peels remove damaged skin and clears up your acne. There are some hidden extras in your chemical peel too. For instance, your peel will improve the absorption of future topical treatments you’ll use to keep your acne at bay.
Chemical peels also reduce pore size and may decrease sebum production, the oil that causes acne. That means long-term, you’ll get fewer acne breakouts. And who wouldn’t love a fresh new face? In addition, clearing up your acne brings back your confidence in ways you did not think were possible.
How to treat acne with a chemical peel
After your initial consultation, we will decide on the type of peel that’s best to treat your acne. In the weeks leading up to your first chemical peel, you may be prescribed topical medication to prepare the skin for your peel. These could be a combination of hydroquinone and tretinoin, along with lower strength alpha-hydroxy acids. Follow all instructions before your peel, such as avoiding excess sun exposure, makeup, and exfoliating.
On the day of your treatment, your dermatologist or aesthetician will first cleanse your face. Then, the prepared chemical solution is placed on the face with an applicator, making sure to avoid your hair and eyes. After the peel stays on for a few minutes, the chemical is deactivated with a neutralizer to prevent burning. The total process takes less than 20 minutes. For deeper peels, the process can take a bit longer. For the best results, you will need a series of chemical peels over 2 to 3 months.
Which chemical peel is good for acne?
Your doctor will perform either a superficial or medium-depth peel to treat your acne. Superficial peels can help mild acne, improves your skin texture and tone. Medium peels will help moderate to severe acne scars, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Your superficial peel can be one of the following:
- Glycolic acid: Belonging to a group of alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic acid is perfect for superficial peels. It helps with exfoliation while increasing collagen production. Glycolic acid also reduces inflammation and works on all skin types. The superficial peel will start at 20% strength.
- Salicylic acid: This is a beta-hydroxy acid naturally sourced from willow tree bark that can provide deep exfoliation while treating acne. It can also improve hydration, keeping your pores clear for longer, which means fewer breakouts.
- Jessner’s Solution: This is a combination of lactic acid (14%), salicylic acid (14%), and resorcinol (14%).
- Lactic Acid: Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that provides a light peel of the epidermis. This acid can be combined with others for a more effective treatment.
- Mandelic Acid: This is another alpha-hydroxy acid that helps with exfoliation and is perfect for mild to moderate acne. Studies show that mandelic acid also contains antibacterial properties. In some cases, your dermatologist will combine mandelic acid with salicylic acid.
- Trichloroacetic acid (TCA): A specially made acid that can be used to perform peels at all levels.
Medium peels can fall under one of the following:
- TCA between 35% to 40%
- Glycolic acid at 35% or higher
Or a combination of acids to create a more effective solution.
What about deep peels?
Some patients are candidates for deep chemical peels. These candidates will have severe cystic acne or deep acne scars. Deep peels contain phenol or TCA beyond 50%. Phenol, in particular, is known for its ability to treat deep-seated acne and acne scars. If you’re a candidate for a deep peel, follow your doctor’s instructions for the best results.
Aftercare and possible side effects.
Your dermatologist will also provide aftercare treatment and instructions to support healing and accelerate results. These include:
- Applying sunscreen and moisturizers as often as possible.
- Your skin may appear a bit worse before it gets better.
- Using the prescribed topical treatments to maintain skin health.
- Avoid wearing makeup, tanning, or excess sun exposure for at least 48 hours.
- Avoid intense physical activity for at least 24 hours.
- You’ll feel tempted to pick or pull at your skin when it peels. Picking your skin can cause irritation or transfer dirt from your hands to your face.
We will recommend additional treatment for deep acne scars, which can include laser therapy, medication (steroid injections or retinol), microneedling, and much more.
Who should get chemical peels?
Anyone who wants to get a brighter, even glowing complexion should get a peel. If you have a history of keloids or very sensitive skin, be sure to let your dermatologist know this.
And who shouldn’t get a peel?
Despite the effectiveness of chemical peels, the procedure is not for everyone. Based on your medical history, we’ll determine if this is the best route to deal with acne. Reasons you should not get a chemical peel include:
- A current or previous bacterial or fungal infection
- Taking medication to treat these infections
- Patients who’ve used a prescription medication to treat acne within the last year
- A history of irregular scarring, or keloids
- Current immune-related diseases
- Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid peels just to be safe.
- Patients with unrealistic expectations about the process may not be good candidates. You may need a holistic approach that includes multiple peels. For most patients, a completely acne-free face would not happen after one peel.
Make sure to raise any concerns before attempting a chemical peel. your dermatologist will advise you if the peel is right for you and provide alternatives if it’s not the right fit.
A note about skin of color
Regardless of your skin type or color, you can suffer from acne. When it comes to chemical peels, however, special considerations must be made for patients of color. There is a common misconception that darker skin tones should not get chemical peels. Because of the excess melanin production, some chemical peels expose these skin types to a condition called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Dermatologists are becoming more and more equipped to deal with skin of all shades. For darker skin types, we will stick to superficial peels. You’ll likely get one of the following peels:
- A glycolic acid peel at 20% concentration
- A salicylic acid peel at 20% concentration
- TCA between 10% and 30%
- Jessner’s solution
- A combination of other acids such as mandelic acid or lactic acid.
Dermatologists will start at the lowest concentrations possible, slowly working up to stronger peels to gauge the skin’s reaction. Patients with lighter skin tones can benefit from medium peels. However, deep peels are not suitable for dark skin. These peels can cause significant damage to the skin. Follow the advice of your dermatologist for the best acne treatment for dark skin.
Tackle your acne with a chemical peel today
Acne can put a damper on the quality of your life. Some patients deal with acne as teenagers, well into their adult years. Luckily, you can treat acne with a chemical peel when applied correctly. These peels remove dead skin at the epidermis and dermis levels. The result is smooth, acne-free skin. From there, you’ll continue to treat your skin with any prescribed medication and visit your dermatologist for maintenance peels.
At Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics, we will perform chemical peels as a simple, quick, outpatient procedure. Most chemical peels will be superficial peels, but medium-depth peels will work for some patients as well. Our dermatologist, Ife Rodney, MD, FAAD, is known for her exceptional chemical peel knowledge of all skin colors and types. She’ll perform the right regimen to give you the best results possible.
Best Chemical Peel For Acne Scars Dermatologist
Shaving and tweezing were replaced with waxing, and today, even wax removals have paled before laser hair removal, which is the newest innovative hair removal solution on the block. Unlike the other methods of hair removal, laser treatment comes with a wide range of advantages, as we’ll see here. And several dermatological clinics are embracing this technique and offering laser hair removal. One such is the Perfect Skin Center, which has a team of experts backed by over a decade of experience in offering laser hair removal solutions.
So, before you take the plunge, here are some of the many wonderful advantages of laser treatment.
It Helps You Avoid Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs are one of the biggest nightmares that follow shaving, epilating, or waxing. With laser hair removal, you can finally bid those woes goodbye. The laser helps remove hair from the roots, and in the process, also prevents ingrown hair from cropping up. You also don’t have to worry about razor bruises or burns from hot wax. Regular laser treatment can eliminate ingrown hairs entirely, meaning you’ll never have to worry about this again.
Laser Removal Leaves Your Skin Softer Than Before
Have you ever shaved your hair off and been bothered by prickly stubble in a couple of days? Or felt a similar stubble after you’ve epilated or waxed? With laser hair removal, there’s no stray hair or stubble left behind. This means your skin feels silky smooth after a session of laser treatment. And even when your hair eventually grows back, it’s thinner and softer than before, so you don’t have to feel upset about thick hair that leaves your skin rough.
It Leaves No Scars Or Painful Side Effects
Threading is one of the most painful cosmetic procedures for hair removal. Shaving may not be so painful initially, but you’re just one wrong move away from a cut or a bruise. And with waxing, there’s always the risk of your skin being burned by hot wax. However, laser hair removal leaves no room for such painful side effects, scars, or bruises. It’s a no-mess process that can be carried out on any part of the body with no worry.
Laser Hair Removal Gives You Lasting Results
The effects of hair removal using laser are long-lasting. Hair can take weeks or months to grow back, and with every subsequent session, the hair takes much longer to reappear. And even when it does grow back, the hair is so much thinner and sparser than before. Eventually, you’ll find that you’re practically hairless. That’s one of the most beneficial parts of using laser technology to get rid of the hair on your body.
Laser Allows You To Shave Between Sessions
A common pet-peeve is that with solutions like waxing, you are advised to let your hair grow to a certain extent before you schedule another appointment. This means you cannot shave off your hair between two sessions. With laser hair removal, you are encouraged to shave before your session, because it prevents scorching of hair on the surface of your skin. This is good news for folks who like to remain fuzz-free all through the year.
Amazing Chemical Peel Benefits You May Have Not Known
Smoother, younger-looking skin is hidden just beyond the surface—literally.
Why not peel back old, damaged skin to reveal a healthier layer underneath?
In 2018, chemical peels were among the most popular minimally-invasive procedures. With over 1.38 million procedures requested, chemical peels are third behind Botox and soft tissue fillers.
Today, more people are choosing this treatment option to experience numerous chemical peel benefits. It’s not solely for movie stars and celebrities, either! With a single treatment, you’ll start noticing the difference.
Ready for younger-looking, softer skin? Keep reading to discover the seven benefits of getting a deep chemical peel!
1. Give Your Skincare Products a Boost
During your treatment, a dermatologist will apply a solution of chemicals to the surface of your skin. When removed, the chemical peel will take dull surface skin cells along with it.
Shedding the topmost layer of your skin will tell living skin cells to multiply and move to the surface. This signals your body to boost collagen production, which will improve your skin’s elasticity. The reaction increases natural hyaluronic acid production, too.
As a result, your skin will begin to look and feel younger.
Smoother skin appears more radiant. It’s also more receptive to skincare products.
After a chemical peel, you’ll notice your skincare products will perform better. Now there are no longer dead skin cells at the surface of your skin. This makes it easier for your products to penetrate the skin’s surface and get to work!
2. Easy Exfoliation
At the beginning of your treatment, a professional will first thoroughly clean your skin. Then, they’ll apply a chemical solution (such as glycolic or salicylic acid) to a small area of your skin. Most chemical peels have a gel-like consistency.
This layer creates a controlled wound. You’ll feel a slight burning sensation, which lasts about 10 minutes. When the chemical solution is removed, new skin will take the place of old skin.
This process allows the chemical peel to reach deeper than other solutions.
One of the reasons many people request a deep chemical peel is to experience smoother-looking skin. Chemical peels also improve your skin tone and texture.
After removing dead skin cells, the peel will also deposit skin-healing ingredients into your skin. Now you’re exfoliating and giving your skin a boost.
If you’re looking for a skincare treatment that will leave your skin feeling like silk, try a chemical peel.
3. Minimize Sun Damage
A chemical peel benefits patients with hyper-pigmentation as well.
Hyper-pigmentation causes some patches of skin to appear darker than others. While normal, increased skin pigmentation sometimes occurs if you’re suffering from another condition. For example, Addison’s disease sometimes produces hyper-pigmentation.
Requesting a mild chemical peel can help heal your sun spots, freckles, and other pigmentation problems. Sun damage can also age your skin, causing fine lines and blotchiness.
With a chemical peel, you can ease these symptoms by treating your wrinkles to appear younger!
4. Control Melasma
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentary disorder that’s often resistant to certain treatments. While a common, chronic form of skin hyper-pigmentation, melasma can negatively impact a person’s self-esteem and quality of life.
In some cases, melasma is caused by hormonal surges. Patients who are pregnant may notice an increase in melasma during and after their pregnancy. While taking a birth control pill can help balance hormones and melasma, there still isn’t a permanent cure for this condition.
Many patients treat their melasma with sunblock and hormone management.
Other patients have found that a chemical peel benefits their melasma as well. If you’re noticing an increase in pigmentation problems, try a chemical peel for dark spots.
5. Soften Fine Lines
There are three main types of chemical peels you can choose from, ranging from mild to deep. Each formula can help treat different skin issues. The best option for deep scars and wrinkles, however, is a deep peel.
Unlike other peels, which may require more than one treatment, a single deep chemical peel often provides results after one session. However, you’ll need longer (about six to 12 months) to heal after a deep peel.
Deep peels are popular among older consumers.
These peels can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles near the forehead, eyes, and mouth. For moderate lines, a medium-peel is also effective.
After a medium or deep peel, make sure to protect your skin from the sun. Wear a hat and a layer of SPF sunscreen. Otherwise, you could permanently change your skin’s texture or color.
Protecting your skin after a deep chemical peel will also help prolong the treatment’s results.
6. Reduce Acne Marks
Some chemical peels can help ease your acne breakouts. They can also help reduce scarring from skin blemishes.
Chemical peels unclog your pores and remove blackheads from the surface of your skin.
At the same time, they’re also able to deposit ingredients into the skin that help your post-pimple marks fade away.
The best chemical peel for acne will contact salicylic and lactic acid. Salicylic acid also lingers in your skin’s pores. This allows the acid to keep the pores clear over a period of time.
You can also ask about acids like trichloroacetic acid to help scars fade away.
Unlike resurfacing lasers, choosing a chemical peel will require no downtime. It’s also safe for all skin tones. A surfacing laser could also result in an acne flare-up, so a chemical peel benefits acne-prone skin better than this alternative treatment.
7. Easily Customizable
The market for chemical peel facial rejuvenation is expected to reach $3.1 billion by 2026. One of the reasons for this popularity is the fact that chemical peels are low-risk. They’re safe for every skin color and don’t come with a risk of hyperpigmentation.
Doctors can also mix and match different acids to address specific skin concerns.
Since chemical peels are easily customizable, you don’t have to worry about a one-size-fits-all approach to your skin!
Chemical Peel For Acne Scars Cost
Even after you’ve healed your acne, oftentimes a frequent complication remains. Scarring happens as your body tries to repair the acne. The reparation process includes intense collagen production and if there’s too much collagen – scarring appears. Scarring can also be the consequence of tissue loss, creating indents in the skin.
Unfortunately, scarring can result in significant psychological distress as it seems as something “unfixable”. But that just isn’t true. There are loads of treatments to alleviate these acne consequences and increase your confidence.
One of the more popular treatments is a chemical peel. Let’s see how chemical peels for acne scars work.
Does Chemical Peel for Acne Scars Work?
Yes! Chemical peels are one of the best treatments to get rid of acne scars. Chemical peels reduce hyperpigmentation and bumpy texture which makes skin appear less scarred.
The extent of effect these treatments will have depends on the severity and type of scarring. In general, chemical peels showed better results in treating atrophic (indented) scars compared to hypertrophic (raised) ones.