Acne Peel - Everything You Need to Know!

Acne peel treatments have been around for a while now so there has been plenty of research and many people have an experience to share using these procedures to help with acne. I'm not going to look into the causes of acne or the range of possible treatments in this article because if I tried to do that I'd end up writing a 300 page book! I will, however, consider whether an acne peel is a treatment worth considering when trying to overcome problems with acne and oily skin.

What does the treatment involve?

Any type of facial peel is a topical treatment applied directly to the skin over the area to be treated. Gentle acids cause the skin to peel. Depending on the strength of the peel, there might be a mild stinging sensation which causes a light redness to the skin. The number of layers of the skin which peel away ranges depending on the peel's strength. Usually it will be 2-4 layers of the upper dermis (top levels of the skin).

Once these layers of skin have peeled, a new layer will replace them which will either be free of the acne covering the previous skin or have drastically improved it. The skin will look fresher, brighter and more healthy.

What are the advantages of an acne peel?

A thorough cleaning of your pores which effectively removes and prevents blackheads from forming
The treatment will aid your skin in regulating sebum levels thereby reducing the amount of oil on the skin
Pores are tightened and their size is reduced
Noticeable improvement in the appearance of acne scars
Brighter and healthier looking skin

Which is the right chemical peel for me?

This depends on a number of factors such as your skin type, time available for recovery and budget. For a much more comprehensive analysis and more detailed information I suggest looking at a specialist acid peel site. As a general guide, phenol based peels are the strongest and will usually produce the best results. Although they are usually more expensive than TCA or Alpha-Hydroxy peels in the long run they probably work out cheaper because less applications are need for the desired effect.

What potential side effects should I be aware of

Although generally safe, as with any medical treatment, some people do report side effects with the most common being:

Increased sensitivity to the sun
Reddening of the face
Changes in skin pigmentation

An acne peel is a very safe treatment and permanent side effects are very rare. In fact, they are so safe that these days they can be done in the comfort of your own home. This saves the expense of having to pay a doctor or dermatologist to do this for you.

I would especially recommend a facial peel if you've struggled to find any over the counter or prescription products that have worked for you. Thankfully my acne has calmed down now I'm older but I still use chemical peels in my fight against my new skin problem...wrinkles!