If you’re looking for a way to get rid of acne scars, chemical peels are one of the best ways to do it. Chemical peels work by removing damaged skin cells and promoting new cell growth. The process is fairly simple: your skin is cleansed, then a chemical solution is applied to your face. This solution can be either acidic or alkaline, depending on what kind of results you’re looking for. The solution will then be left on your face for a certain amount of time—usually 10–20 minutes—and then removed with an acid-free cleanser.
The length of time required varies from person to person based on how deep the peel is intended to go into the skin’s layers. A superficial peel may only require about 15 minutes with no downtime (you can wash your face and go about your day immediately afterward), while deeper peels may require half an hour or more with several days’ worth of downtime before returning to normal activities.
Read on to learn more about What To Know About Chemical Peel Is Good For Acne Scars, Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel? and What To Expect After the Chemical Peel
What To Know About Chemical Peel Is Good For Acne Scars
There’s never a clean breakup with acne. Even when flare-ups have gone, there may still be a variety of scars left to remind us of a not so amazing time.
While time can heal these marks, there are several expert-approved methods to address speed time on your schedule. One of the popular methods is the chemical peel.
A peek into the potential benefits chemical peels can have on acne-prone skin include:
- smoother texture and tone
- lightening of dark spots
- unclogging of pores to help prevent future breakouts
“Chemical peels work by removing the top layer of skin, allowing new, healthy skin to present,” says Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital and co-creator of Pure BioDerm.
“Overall, chemical peels can be a great way to maintain and rejuvenate the skin,” she says.
“[These] are more effective at exfoliation than physical exfoliators (topical scrubs, for example). The trauma inflicted by the chemical not only kills and removes dead skin cells at the surface, but the intentional damage caused also stimulates the body’s natural response to produce collagen, which can help fill in scars.”
As a rule of thumb, chemical peels might not be the best for severe raised or depressed scars.
NOT ALL SCARS ARE EQUAL
Scars develop during the healing process when the skin acts fast and sends cells to form new collagen fibers or attack infections. As a result, this can create hypertrophic scars or atrophic scars. Hypertrophic scars are bumpy, raised tissues on the surface of the skin that occur after the body produces too much collagen when healing. Atrophic scars are depressed scars that develop when there’s a loss of tissue. Ice pick or boxcar scars fall in this category.
Picking the right type of chemical peel may not be an easy task, especially when a solution can go wrong and be too harsh. But knowledge is protection.
Read on to learn what kind of chemical peels are safe to try at home, which ones need a dermatologist’s guidance, how often you’ll need a peel, and so much more.
What to try at home to resurface happy skin
If you’re tempted to do a chemical peel at home, make sure you’re picking the right acids for your skin type and understand your results.
Chemicals safe to use at home often help with light surface scars, such as fading dark spots. Make sure you’re purchasing your peels from a reputable provider and not from an online source that you or no one else is familiar with — some sources have been known to provide questionable products.
“Look for alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), including salicylic acid and glycolic acid,” Robinson says. “If your skin is sensitive, you may want to try something that is glycolic- or lactic acid-based, as they can be more gentle than salicylic acid.”
Here are some of the acids to look for in at-home chemical peels:
- Glycolic acid is good for normal and oily skin types and exfoliating the surface layer of your skin.
- Salicylic acid is good for oily and acne-prone skin to loosen dirt from pores.
- Lactic acid is good for all skin types and for fading dark spots.
- Mandelic acid is good for all skin types and darker skin tones, especially for treating large pores.
- Phytic acid is good for sensitive skin and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Cautions before and after a peel
- Don’t do a physical exfoliation for 24 hours before and after use.
- Don’t use retin-A, acids, and acne-clearing products 3–5 days before and after use.
- Avoid applying the product to inflamed skin.
Some at-home peels include an ingredient called trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Robinson advises against using it without expert supervision.
“I would stay away from anything TCA-based, which can be dangerous if used incorrectly,” she says. “At-home peels are great for ongoing skin maintenance, but if you’re trying to repair hyperpigmentation and acne scarring, they are unlikely to have much impact.”
Most side effects are a result of what you do following a peel, Robinson says. It’s important to avoid sun exposure, as that’s the primary culprit in pigmentation problems. Scarring can occur if the peel isn’t strong or used incorrectly.
These options come with help from a professional
If you’re looking for a more intense treatment, you’ll want to go to the pros. Some of the ingredients you’ll see used include phenol and trichloroacetic acid. For results, what should you expect?
“It depends on the treatment plan,” Robinson says.
“However, we always advise our patients to stop using their retinol 7 to 14 days prior to their peel. Furthermore, if you have active psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, or erosions, you would not be a candidate.”
In general, there are three different types of in-office chemical peels. You’ll want to avoid the sun during healing time as well as layer on sun protection as aftercare:
| Type of pro peel | What to know | Healing time | Follow-up? |
| superficial, refreshing, or “lunchtime” peel | lightest and quickest to heal, but may require several sessions for desired results | 1–7 days for redness and flaking to diminish | usually not necessary |
| medium | take an antiviral medication for 10–14 days | 7–14 days to heal, as swelling to the face and eyelids may occur in the first 48 hours; blisters may form and break open, and the skin crusts and peels for up to 2 weeks | needs a follow-up visit |
| deep | daily soaks, antiviral medication, and other post-procedure maintenance is required | 14–21 days to heal; the treated area will need to be bandaged after the procedure | needs several follow-up visits |
HEALTHLINE CHALLENGE
Get Your Best Skin from Within
Your skin is affected by more than what you put on it. Our 10-day newsletter challenge will show you the healthy habits to improve your skin from the inside.
Enter your emailSIGN ME UP!
Your privacy is important to us
The effects of your treatment will depend on a lot of factors, including whether your skin is dark or light
Research performed on Asian populationsTrusted Source suggests that chemical peels may be an effective treatment for acne scars in lighter skin.
People with darker skin tones may need to be more selective in the type of peel they choose. If they’re experiencing melasma, a hyperpigmentation disorder, research showsTrusted Source they may want to stick with traditional glycolic peels.
What are the downsides of chemical peels?
Of course, like any medical treatment — major or minor — there are potential negative effects.
How to do a peel at home
- Instructions may vary depending on the product. Use as directed, especially when it comes to timing. Always do a patch test before using. Avoid contact with eyes and lips.
- Clean your skin with a neutral cleanser (avoid active ingredients and acids).
- Prep your skin with a pH solution to make sure your skin is clean and balanced as an optimal surface.
- Apply the peeling solution, working from forehead to chin.
- Wait 3–10 minutes, depending on product instructions. If it’s your first peel, start on the lower end of time.
- Wash off with warm water and neutral cleanser. (Following this instruction may be determined by the type of peel you utilize as some don’t require washing off, and doing so may actually reactivate the chemical of the peel. Follow instructions provided on your product.)
- Dry and follow up with a neutral moisturizer (no retinoid or acids).
- Do not repeat until next week. Downtime after an at-home peel is usually not necessary, but still be vigilant with moisturizing, sun protection, and avoiding exercise for the next 24 hours.
Glycolic peels may have complications like crusting and hyperpigmentation. They generally resolve within eight months of treatment and are less common in the winter months (potentially due to reduced sun exposure).
And according to Robinson, “The risks are persistent redness and temporary hyper- or hypopigmentation. Most of these side effects are a result of the patient’s lifestyle choices following their peel. It’s important to avoid sun exposure, as that is the primary culprit in pigmentation problems. Less likely, scarring can occur if the peel is not strong or incorrectly used.”
When should you turn to other healing methods?
While chemical peels sound like a promising answer to acne scars, they may not be the best answer for the type of scars you have. Research has shownTrusted Source that superficial or light peels may help manage acne, while medium and deep peels may help more in treating moderate acne scars.
The degree to which chemical peels work may also depend on your budget. Light and at-home peels, which are cheaper, are less effective for raised or pitted scars than medium and deep peels.
Alternative treatments for scars
- laser resurfacing for all acne scars
- dermabrasion for light boxcar scars or rolling scars
- fillers for depressed scars
- microneedling for deep scars
- subcisionTrusted Source, a minor surgical procedure
“For patients with depressed scars (craters), treatments such as PicoSure laser or a series of microneedling with PRP [platelet-rich plasma] might be more effective,” Robinson says.
“For flat scars that are pigmented, IPL [intense pulsed light] might be a good choice.”
The good news is that you don’t have to stick to one type of treatment
As long as you give your skin time to heal between sessions, you could combine treatments to achieve the skin you want, like peels and microneedling or peels and lasering.
It’ll of course cost more. But when has fast-forwarding healing been cheap?
So, when it comes to alleviating the stress scars may bring, the best thing you can do is set realistic expectations to how your skin heals. No matter how many chemical peels you can afford, your skin needs rest to function at its best.
As you wait, get to know your skin. Touch it (with clean hands!) after cleansing, and learn what it’s like when it feels optimal and when it doesn’t. After all, skin isn’t just about the surface. As cliché as it sounds, a healthy diet counts too, especially with wound healingTrusted Source.
Chemical peel side effects
Chemical peels can improve the skin’s appearance. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which makes it “blister” and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.
Chemical peels can be done on the face, neck, or hands. They can be used to:
- Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
- Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging
- Improve the appearance of mild scars
- Treat certain types of acne
- Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches (melasma) due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills
- Improve the look and feel of skin
Areas of sun damage may improve after chemical peeling.
After a chemical peel, skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen every day. It should say “broad-spectrum” on the label, meaning it protects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Also, it should be a physical sunscreen and be above SPF 30. Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?
Generally, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are better candidates for chemical peels. If you have darker skin, you may also have good results, depending upon the type of problem being treated. But you also may be more likely to have an uneven skin tone after the procedure.
Skin sags, bulges, and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may need other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, or soft tissue filler (collagen or fat). A dermatologic surgeon can help determine the most appropriate type of treatment for you.
Before You Get a Chemical Peel
Tell your doctor if you have any history of scarring, cold sores that keep coming back, or facial X-rays.
Before you get a chemical peel, your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain drugs and prepare your skin by using other medications, such as Retin-A, Renova, or glycolic acid. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics or antiviral drugs.
Work with your doctor to determine the depth of your peel. This decision depends upon the condition of your skin and your goals for treatment.
Ask your doctor in advance whether you will need to have someone drive you home after your peel.
How Chemical Peels Are Done
You can get a chemical peel in a doctor’s office or in a surgery center. It’s an outpatient procedure, meaning there’s no overnight stay.
The professional who does your peel will first clean your skin thoroughly. Then they will apply one or more chemical solutions — such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid (phenol) — to small areas of your skin. That creates a controlled wound, letting new skin take its place.
During a chemical peel, most people feel a burning sensation that lasts about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Putting cool compresses on the skin may ease that stinging. You may need pain medication during or after a deeper peel.
What To Expect After the Chemical Peel
Depending upon the type of chemical peel, a reaction similar to sunburn occurs following the procedure. Peeling usually involves redness followed by scaling that ends within three to seven days. Mild peels may be repeated at one to four-week intervals until you get the look you’re after.
Medium-depth and deep peeling may result in swelling as well as blisters that may break, crust, turn brown, and peel off over a period of seven to 14 days. Medium-depth peels may be repeated in six to 12 months, if necessary.
After treatment, you may need bandages for several days on part or all of the skin that was treated.
You’ll need to avoid the sun for several months after a chemical peel since your new skin will be fragile.
Possible Complications
Some skin types are more likely to develop a temporary or permanent color change in the skin after a chemical peel. Taking birth control pills, subsequent pregnancy, or a family history of brownish discoloration on the face may make that more likely.
There is a low risk of scarring in certain areas of the face. Some people may be more likely to scar. If scarring does happen, it can usually be treated with good results.
For people with a history of herpes outbreaks, there is a small risk of reactivating cold sores. Your doctor can prescribe medication to prevent or treat that.
Chemical peeling advantages and disadvantages
A chemical peel is a mixture of chemicals that forms gel-like consistency. It’s applied to the face in order to smooth the surface of the skin, remove the appearance of fine lines and remove blemishes. There are three types of chemical peels: mild, medium-depth and deep. Each have their advantages and serve different purposes.
What Are the Advantages of a Mild Chemical Peel?
- Chemical peels help to smooth dry skin
- Can help with pigmentation problems
- Controls acne
- Removes blemishes
- Less recovery time
- Helps with mild sun-damage
- Reduces mild blotchiness
- Fresher and younger looking appearance
What Are the Advantages of a Medium-Depth Chemical Peel?
- Thin facial lines are removed or the appearance is less noticeable
- The medium-depth reduces facial birthmarks
- The pigmentation in the skin is improved
- Helps with dry skin and old acne scarring
- Helps with sun-damaged skin
- Improves blotchy skin
- Younger looking overall appearance
What Are the Advantages of a Deep Chemical Peel?
- Ability to remove pre-cancerous growths
- Deeper acne scar emanation
- Long lasting effect
- Eliminates deeper lines on the face??
- Controls acne
- Helps with deep or course wrinkles
- Age spot removal
- Only a single treatment is necessary
- Smoother skin, younger appearance
- Long-term results are very good when the peel is specifically for acne scarring
The advantages of chemical peels are many, and all three help with different issues. The deep chemical peels are reserved for those with the worst types of skin problems, including serious acne, scarring and birthmarks. Some disadvantages of chemical peels need mentioning.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Chemical Peel?
- Excessive peeling normally happens more with the medium-depth peel and particularly with the deep peel
- Stinging sensation when initially applied
- Redness appears. Again, this is particularly so with the deep and medium peels. The light peel normally results in peeling like a sunburn.
- Temporarily may feel a bit of numbness
- Deep chemical peels can cause a crusting or scabbing after the treatment, as the deep dead skin cells are sleuthing off. This is temporary.
- Sensitivity to the sun ? you will need to stay out of the sun for a short time after the peel as your skin is more sensitive
- Costs can also be a disadvantage for some, since the average chemical peel cost $500 for each treatment
While some disadvantages do exist for chemical peels, the advantages do outweigh them particularly for those suffering from severe skin problems, such as acne or acne scarring. Even with the disadvantages, most people that have had them report they would have it again because of the overall improvement of their skin’s surface and the younger fresher look the entire chemical peels bring about. The discomforts often associated with a chemical peel are temporary and subside rather quickly.