Anyone can form acne scars. This is why chemical peels for acne scars is a commonly requested cosmetic dermatology procedure we perform at Vujevich Dermatology Associates. Today, we’ll focus on why acne scars form and how chemical peels can help improve the appearance of your acne scars.
Why Acne Scars Happen and How Chemical Peels Help
Acne Scars
We’ve all dealt with acne, yet not everyone ends up with acne scars. So why do acne scars happen only some of the time? It depends on how inflamed your skin becomes during your acne breakout.
For some people, their genes make them more likely to scar. If you have close family members who have acne scars, you may be more likely to form acne scars. For others, their skin can become more inflamed because of the type of acne they have or because they’ve picked at the acne.
If your acne breakouts are often cysts or nodules or you often pick at your acne, you have a higher chance of acne scars forming. Any type of acne or injury that reaches the deeper layers of your skin causes intense inflammation, which disrupts your skin’s collagen production.
How collagen production is disrupted will determine if your acne scars are sunken or raised. When your body breaks down the old collagen more quickly than your body can produce new collagen, sunken scars form as your skin heals. If your body produces too much new collagen while healing, you end up with raised scars.
So how do chemical peels for acne scars help?
What Are Chemical Peels and How Do They Work?
Chemical peels are a cosmetic procedure used to improve the appearance of your skin. During a chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to your skin, which exfoliates it and eventually causes the treated layer(s) of skin to peel off. Once your skin has healed following a chemical peel, you’re often left with improved skin tone and texture.
How chemical peels work is probably more simple than you think. When the chemical solution exfoliates the treated layer(s) of your skin, it’s also unclogging pores, killing bacteria, breaking down clogged hair follicles, and removing the excess collagen that can lead to acne scars. With the exfoliation of the top layer(s) of your skin, new collagen production is stimulated to help produce a smoother skin texture, reducing the appearance of acne scars.
What Kind of Chemical Peel is Best for Acne Scars?
There are three types of chemical peels: superficial, medium, and deep peel. At Vujevich Dermatology Associates, we offer both the superficial and medium peels. Our expert dermatologists often recommend the superficial chemical peel for acne scars, though your dermatologist will determine which chemical peel is most likely to be effective during your consultation.
A superficial peel, also known as a lunchtime peel, uses a mild acid to penetrate only the outer (or top) layer of skin. This gently exfoliates the top layer of skin to improve mild skin discoloration, rough skin, and acne. A medium peel uses glycolic or trichloroacetic acid to penetrate the outer and middle layers of your skin. This not only smooths rough skin, but also improves moderate skin discoloration.
How Many Chemical Peels Do I Need for Acne Scars?
While you will notice improvements following one chemical peel, you are most likely to see your desired chemical peel benefits following a series of 3-4 treatments, each spaced a month apart. With each chemical peel, and as your skin heals during the months following your chemical peels, you’ll notice your skin becoming smoother. However, depending on the severity of your acne scars and other factors, chemical peels may not get rid of them completely. You and your dermatologist can discuss your goals and expectations, as well as how many treatment sessions you’ll need to achieve the best results.
Where Can I Get a Chemical Peel for Acne Scars?
Our expert dermatologists here at Vujevich Dermatology Associates have been performing chemical peels for acne scars for decades. Our dermatologists are highly trained, and our goal is to not only improve the appearance of your skin but more importantly to improve the health of your skin overall, especially when it comes to acne.
Your dermatologist will help you choose the best procedure based on your goals, and it’s important to note that you’re not limited to chemical peels for treatment for acne scars. Microneedling is another common cosmetic procedure used to improve the texture of your skin, so your dermatologist can answer any questions you may have when comparing microneedling vs chemical peels for acne scars.
We understand the impact acne scars can have on your confidence. Chemical peels have proven to be an effective treatment option resulting in smoother, clearer skin through targeted exfoliation and collagen stimulation. Our experienced dermatologists are dedicated to helping you achieve the best results using chemical peels for acne scars, beginning with a comprehensive consultation to determine the most suitable chemical peel for your skin.
Ready to reduce the appearance of your acne scars? Schedule your consultation with our dermatologists here at Vujevich Dermatology Associates to discuss chemical peels or other types of treatment for your acne scars. You can reach us at 412-429-2570 or visit our contact page to book your appointment. You can also follow us on Facebook to see what’s new in the world of dermatology.