Chemical Peels for Acne Scars: The Definitive Guide to Smoother, Clearer Skin
Acne scars may continue to remind you of breakouts and may also affect your self-confidence. Fortunately, chemical peeling is an effective, non-invasive solution to assist in improving these unwanted scars on the skin. We at Skin Glow Aesthetic Clinic in Thrissur, Kerala help bring people smoother and healthier skin with personalized chemical peel treatments. If you suffer from acne scars and have decided to rejuvenate your skin, learn about how chemical peeling works and the kinds of peels available.
Acne scars develop when your body heals from the acne breakout. You can either develop as bulging when your body heals and over-produces collagen or sink in when there is a lack of enough collagen in production. Chemical peels come after these scars, removing the dead top layers of your skin that bring out the production of new healthy collagen, which would later on smoothen your skin and mask the appearance of the scars.
A chemical peel is an application of a cosmetic solution to the skin. The top layers of the skin then peel off. Within those layers, damaged skin peels, and newer, smoother skin will rise to the top. This also encourages collagen production, which fills in the indented scars, giving the skin an appearance more even and less scarred.
Types of Chemical Peels for Acne Scars
There are three major types of chemical peels, varying by strength and purpose:
- Light Chemical Peels: This is the lightest peel and only hits the outermost layer of the skin. They are best applied to the most minor acne scarring, small fine lines, and minute skin discolorations. Light peels normally involve AHAs, like glycolic acid, for mild exfoliation. Healing is rapid, and thus ideal for those with extremely sensitive skin or minor acne scars.
- Medium Chemical Peels: These peels penetrate the deeper layer of skin and, thus, are more effective for moderate acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and deeper lines. Commonly used for these peels include ingredients like trichloroacetic acid. TCA generally requires a lot more recovery time than light peels, but the results are dramatically different from the light peel approach.
- Deep Chemical Peels: These are the most aggressive of the three. They are used for deep wrinkles, significant sun damage, and severe acne scars. Deep peels usually contain stronger acids such as phenol and penetrate deeper than the top layers of the skin. These peels take much longer to recover from, and therefore, are advisable for majorly damaged skin or scarring.
Choosing the Right Chemical Peel for Acne Scars
Decide which chemical peel best suits you, depending on what kind of skin you have and the extent and type of scars due to acne. If you only have a few scar spots, a superficial chemical peel would just give that amount of exfoliation to refresh your skin. If you have medium or severe scars, a medium or deep peel may be required.
You can only peel by consulting a dermatologist because only after testing your skin can they decide what peel is perfect for you. Our professional, board-certified dermatologists will assess your skin and talk to you about your needs in order to prepare a personal treatment plan for you.
What to Expect During the Chemical Peel Procedure
Before the treatment, your dermatologist would clean up your skin to prepare it for the chemical solution. The time that the solution will take on your skin depends on the type of peel that you are undergoing. Your skin may tingle or sting at a mild extent because the chemical exfoliates the skin. The peel is neutralized and removed after which a moisturizing lotion is applied to calm it down.
For light peels, the treatment usually requires about 30 minutes and you can go back to your normal daily activities shortly after. Medium peels as well as deep peels will take a long time and would require some downtime because the skin takes more time to heal.
Post-Peel Care and Recovery
After a chemical peel, the skin will appear red and peel as it heals. Do not forget to keep your skin well moisturized and protected from the sun during your healing period. The healing time varies from several days to a week or more depending on the intensity of the peel. Avoid using harsh skincare products around the affected areas and never even begin to pick at the peeling skin as this might bring on scarring or infection.
Light peels recover within 3 to 5 days, while medium peels take a little longer, around 7 to 10 days. Deep peels take even a whole month or more to fully recover. Regardless of the type, correct aftercare, such as the use of sunscreen, is what will give the best possible result without possible complications.
Can Chemical Peels Remove Acne Scars Completely?
Chemical peels can greatly enhance the appearance of those acne marks, although they do not remove them entirely. Improvement will depend upon the depth and type of scars as well as the peel’s strength. Deep scars often require a series of multiple treatments or in combination with another treatment since chemical peels only help to smooth the surface of the skin, reduce the depth of some scars and improve the general appearance of the skin.
How many chemical peels does it take to erase acne scars? The number of chemical peels you will be given is based upon the severity of the scarring produced by your acne, as well as the strength of the chemical peel. For very light scarring, a single series of one to three light peels may be sufficient. More severe scarring may require a series of medium to deep peels spaced some weeks apart. At Dr. Pai’s Skin Glow Clinic, we recommend consulting to devise an individualized treatment plan according to your type of skin and the condition of your scars.
Conclusion
Chemical peels, be it light or deep, form a brilliant option for those wishing to erase acne scars and have smoother, healthier-looking skin. Be it is a light peel for mere scarring or deep peel for severe skin issues, take comfort knowing that Skin Glow Aesthetic Clinic in Thrissur, Kerala, will walk you through the process. With our expert dermatologists and state-of-the-art treatments, you will leave here with revitalized-looking skin that looks and feels refreshed.