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Posted January 03, 2020 in Chemical Peels

What Can Chemical Peels Do For Acne and Acne Scars?

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3 Min Read

One of the most uncomfortable feelings is knowing that you have acne or red acne scars on your face. 

You might have tried numerous face washes or even some home remedies, but the acne has likely still remained. 

People suffer from acne in a variety of ways—some worse than others—but we can all agree that having any amount of acne can make us feel insecure or uncertain. 

Luckily, there is a treatment for anyone suffering from acne or acne scars. Chemical face peels are a treatment that can improve your facial appearance by removing breakouts, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and clogged pores. 

Chemical face peels might be the right treatment for you to achieve perfect skin. 

A woman before and after a chemical peel treatment.
A woman before and after a chemical peel treatment.

Can Chemical Face Peels Treat Cystic Acne?

What Is Cystic Acne? 

Cystic acne is an extensive red breakout that is deep underneath your skin. These breakouts can linger for years on your skin. This acne occurs when a pore gets clogged with dead skin cells, and bacteria enter the pore causing the area to become red and swollen. 

How to Treat Cystic Acne 

There are several ways to treat cystic acne, such as prescription-strength creams, medication, and steroids. 

Chemical face peels are another treatment for cystic acne. The rejuvenating skin treatment unclogs pores, and depending on the type of chemical peel; it can reach into the lower dermal layer of the skin. 

What Are the Different Types of Chemical Peels? 

There are several types of chemical face peels that treat acne, depending on the severity of your skin.  

Light Chemical Peel

Light chemical peels are a treatment that removes the top layer of the skin (epidermis). Light chemical peels contain chemicals such as alpha-hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids.

These chemicals are considered mild, and the treatment can be used day to day until you have achieved the results you desire. The chemical peel is brushed onto the face and rinsed off with water a few minutes later. 

What Does a Light Chemical Peel Treat

  • Uneven pigmentation
  • Dryness
  • Acne
  • Fine wrinkles

Medium Chemical Peel

The medium chemical peel is a treatment that removes the top layer (epidermis) and the upper part of the middle layer of the skin (dermis). 

Through this procedure, the chemical peel is brushed onto the face and left for a few minutes. 

There might be a burning or stinging feeling, and the treated area might turn white. 

Once rinsed off with saline compress, the skin might look a bit red. The peeling process will begin within 48 hours. 

What Does a Medium Chemical Peel Treat

  • Acne scar
  • Deep wrinkles
  • Uneven skin

Deep Chemical Peel

The deep chemical peel is a treatment that removes the lower dermal layer of the skin using the chemical phenol. 

This treatment is the most potent chemical peel, and your physician will determine whether you are a candidate for this treatment. 

Due to the strength of this procedure, local anesthesia is applied to numb the face. The treatment is brushed onto the face in an appropriate interval and then washed off with water. 

A thick ointment is then added on to prevent dryness or pain. After the treatment, some peeling, redness, and discomfort will occur for several weeks. Some swelling may also occur, but your physician will provide medication for any pain. This treatment provides long-lasting results for up to 10 years. 

What Does a Deep Chemical Peel Treat 

  • Deep wrinkles
  • Sun damage
  • Scars 
  • Blotchy skin
  • Pre-cancerous growths 

Want to Know More About Chemical Face Peels? 

To learn more about chemical peels or to find out how much each treatment would cost, please schedule a consultation online or call our office in Miami, Florida at (305) 931-3338.