In the world of medical aesthetics, acne and acne scarring are common skin concerns of clients all over the world. Many treatment options exist to address these concerns, and one that achieves fantastic results is a chemical peel. Not all chemical peels are for acne, so seek the advice of a professional, licensed aesthetician instead of attempting to treat yourself at home.
What are chemical peels?
Generally speaking, chemical peels are various solutions of chemicals applied to your skin in order to exfoliate the outer layers of the epidermis. Depending on the strength and type of the chemicals used in the peel, they each have specific benefits and appropriate application methods. The stronger the chemical peel, the longer the downtime and more important aftercare becomes.
The different strengths of chemical peels
When you go to a medical aesthetician for a chemical peel, you’ll usually experience either a light or medium strength peel. The three distinctions of strength between chemical peels are light, medium, and deep. Deep peels are often administered by a doctor such as a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, and are even sometimes performed under sedation, for example while still under anesthesia after a facelift, and aren’t used for acne.
Light chemical peels break down the outermost layer of your skin to stimulate the skin’s natural regeneration process. It has the least amount of downtime afterward, and can be applied every four weeks for best results. These treatments help other concerns such as inflammation, uneven skin tone, and the beginning signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
As you can likely guess, medium chemical peels penetrate a bit deeper than their light counterparts. Rather than solely reaching the epidermis, medium peels treat the dermis, too. This makes medium peels a bit better at treating acne scars and deeper wrinkles than light peels.
Popular types of peels
The two main types of chemical utilized in peels are alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs). AHAs are water-soluble acids derived from sources like fruits and almonds. The most popular BHA, salicylic acid, occurs naturally in plants. Many companies create chemical peel formulas that combine two or more acids to combine benefits.
Glycolic acid is one of the most popular AHAs that you find as an ingredient. Derived from sugar cane, glycolic acid provides great exfoliation and overall benefits. While some claim it can help prevent acne breakouts, salicylic acid is the acid of choice for treating acne or acne scars.
Mandelic acid is becoming hugely popular, and is one of the gentlest acids you can use on your skin. Due to its molecular structure being larger than other AHAs, mandelic acid takes longer to penetrate the skin’s surface, which reduces the likelihood of inflammation. It’s a favorite for treating skin texture problems and pore size.
How well do chemical peels work for acne?
When it comes to chemical peels, a consistent favorite of LUXE Aesthetics is a Jessner TCA peel combo. Read on and discover why we have such a high opinion of this chemical peel combo.
Acne results from chemical peel treatments
Several studies have been performed to assess the effectiveness of various chemical peels and combos. The Jessner TCA peel combo has shown to be markedly effective at treating acne scars in a majority of clients.
Jessner TCA peel combo
A Jessner chemical peel is medium-strength, and is traditionally composed of three ingredients: salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol. Resorcinol is used as an antiseptic and disinfectant, making it perfect for addressing the bacteria that may be causing your acne. TCA, or trichloroacetic acid, is derived from vinegar and is incredibly popular among dermatologists.
The benefits of going to a professional for a chemical peel
Plenty of chemical peel products are available for at-home treatment, but we don’t recommend it. Not only will you not get the results that you want, but if you are inexperienced with application and how each peel interacts with your skin, you could unintentionally damage your skin.
Reduce the risk of side effects and skin damage
In the right hands, chemical peels are completely safe for use and have wonderful benefits. The side effects from misuse or the wrong combination of treatments include scarring, hyperpigmentation, infection, or a chemical burn on your skin from prolonged application.
Get the best results from your treatment
Simply put, you don’t have the knowledge and experience that a medical aesthetician does. Your skin is your largest organ, and it deserves the best possible care and attention you can give it.
Advice and aftercare following your appointment
In addition to your amazing results, your aesthetician provides everything you need to know for proper aftercare once you leave the appointment. Especially when it comes to medium strength chemical peels, aftercare is essential to preserve your skin. For example, sun exposure without sunscreen, while always damaging, will be even worse after a chemical peel.
For those interested in booking a chemical peel for acne or acne scarring, contact LUXE Aesthetics today! We personalize our treatments to ensure the best possible results for your specific skin needs and concerns.