Chemical Peel For Acne

What is acne?
Acne is a skin condition which usually develops when the sebaceous glands and the follicle begin to work overtime. These clogged follicles form a plug. If this plug is inside the skin, it is called a white head and if it pops out, it is called a blackhead.

Acne can be very upsetting and disfiguring and severe acne can even lead to permanent scarring. It can also cause pimples and pustules on face, neck, back, chest and groin. There is no certain reason which causes acne but hormones play a large role. There are two types of acne—mild and severe. Mild form of acne can be treated with non prescription medicine but severe or inflammatory acne need prescription drugs and sometimes surgery.

There are many treatments of acne, and one of them is Chemical peel– The surface layer of the skin is removed to expose the fresh and unaffected layers below. Chemical peel is a very effective treatment for acne with very less complications but make sure you go to a trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon. An experienced surgeon will check your skin and then decide whether you are eligible for a chemical peel or not. Patients who have very severe acne or women who are pregnant are not good candidates.

Alpha hydroxy acids:
Glycolic, lactic or fruit acids produce light peels; they can be added in facial wash and used daily.

Trichloroacetic acid:
This is used for medium depth peeling, surface wrinkles, blemishes and pigment problems are treated with this. Many sittings maybe required to get the desired results.

Phenol:
This is the strongest and is used for deep peel. It carries some uncertainties. It can be used only on face and is not recommended for dark skinned people. After getting this treatment you may need someone to take care of you for few days.

There are certain limitations of chemical peels. It may not be effective for all kinds of acne but you can combine it with other treatments to get full benefits.