Chemical Peels For Acne Scars

Acne scars can remain with you for a lifetime. For some individuals, the scarring is so minimal it does not cause a problem, but for others they can make a person feel insecure due to how they perceive others view them due to the scars. There are various methods of scar removal available to help reduce their appearance. One such method is chemical peels for acne scars.

How Does a Chemical Peel for Acne Scars Work?

A chemical peel is just like it sounds. A specific type of exfoliating chemical agent is applied to the skin and allowed to soak in. Over the next few days, the top layer of skin will begin to peel off. This allows for new healthy skin to grow in the place of the damaged top layer of skin.

There are different types of chemical peels based on how deep the peel needs to be. Those individuals who have deep, severe acne scars would need a deeper chemical peel. The factor that influences the depth of the chemical peel include the concentration of the acid used, the number of coats applied and the length of time the acid is allowed to sit on the skin before a neutralizing agent is applied.

The Three Main Types of Chemical Peels for Acne Scars

  • Superficial peels are the mildest of all the chemical peels. This type of peel is safe to use on all skin types. It will usually consist of a mild dilute acid such as glycolic acid. Occasionally dry ice will be used in a superficial chemical peel.
  • Medium chemical peels go deeper than the superficial peels. These types of chemical peels will actually produce a second degree burn of the skin. Trichloroacetic acid is most often used in these types of chemical peels.
  • A deep chemical peel will penetrate several layers of the skin. These deep peels are used only on the face. Individuals who have dark skin cannot use deep peels because it will bleach the skin. A chemical called phenol is used in these peels. Since a deep peel is so severe it can usually only be performed once.

How to Prepare for a Chemical Peel for Acne Scars

Your doctor will decide the type of chemical peel that is right for you depending upon the severity of your acne scars. A few weeks before your chemical peel is to take place you will be required to prepare your skin by cleansing it twice a day. You will also need to apply a special moisturizer to your skin twice a day. This skin care regimen is important because it can help the skin peel more evenly. It will also promote healing after the peel and help reduce the risk for infections. Individuals who are getting deep chemical peels for acne scars may need to take a round of antibiotics to prevent viral infections.

When you have a superficial or medium chemical skin peel for acne, the chemical is brushed onto the face and left on for a specific period of time. The chemical will be left on longer during a medium peel. You may feel some stinging and burning while the chemical is on the skin. Cool compresses and fans can be used to help with the burning.

A deep chemical peel is more complicated. These types of peels are done under anesthesia because they are so painful. The skin can only be treated in small areas, and a 15-minute break must be taken between treatments to keep from putting too much phenol into your system. After a deep peel, you can expect your skin to stay extremely red for three weeks or more. It can take several months for the skin to heal completely.

Before you try chemical peels for acne scars you need to be aware of the risks involved. You may experience redness, color changes of the skin, swelling, scaling of the skin, infection or an allergic reaction to the chemical. It is critical that you weigh the risks involved against the benefits of having a chemical peel for acne before you decide.

If a chemical peel does not sound right for you, there are other less evasive treatments such as microdermabrasion creams that can have a similar effect as the chemical peels for acne scars methods. To read reviews of our top three acne scar creams Click Here or to educate yourself further on acne scars please feel free to explore the site.