Acne is a common skin condition that affects many people, and it can be difficult to treat. Chemical peels are a popular treatment option for acne, but can they cause acne? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. The combination of large amounts of dead skin and inflammation from the procedure can lead to pimples. However, this initial outbreak should lighten in a few days and leave your skin looking healthier.
Professional chemical peels, such as VI scrubs, are designed to provide smoother, more radiant and clearer skin. But before you get to such good benefits, you may suffer some side effects, such as skin purging, also known as rapid increase in fat and debris, once buried in the form of bumps that resemble breakouts. Although the likelihood of purging the skin is low with VI peels, it can occur and, when it does, it is often short-lived and leaves no scars. Think of the skin purging process like purging your closet: we're all afraid to do it, but we love to see the final results.
Keep reading to learn more about chemical peels and how they can cause acne. It is essential that you discuss with your dermatologist any possible contraindications to a chemical peel before the procedure. They will ask you these questions and more about your skin and any family history of scarring. In the hands of a qualified dermatologist, a chemical peel of any depth is not dangerous and is highly unlikely to cause scarring.
With that in mind, it's important to be picky about where the peel is performed. Health spas and chemical peels at home are much riskier, because the level of experience is far below that of a qualified dermatologist. Don't take unnecessary risks with your skin, especially when you're dealing with acne scars. Chemical peels can, in rare cases, cause scarring. This scarring is not precise where the acne scars are from, but it is nonetheless.
This side effect is most commonly seen in the lower half of the face, around the mouth, and on the chin and cheeks. Scarring can occur in people who are taking or have taken the acne medication isotretinoin in the past six to twelve months. Chemical peels are often prescribed for mild acne scars, especially surface-level scars, such as dark spots or minor depressions in the skin. But they may not always be the best option for patients with severe, elevated, or depressed acne scars. During the healing process after a chemical peel treatment, the skin may be at risk of producing too much collagen, which can cause raised bumps called hypertrophic scars.
Or, the skin can produce too little collagen, which can cause depressions in the skin called atrophic scars. It can be frustrating to receive chemical peels for acne scars just to go away with further damage to the skin. And because the skin responds to a chemical peel by growing new skin cells and producing collagen and elastin, the skin is usually much smoother after treatment. Because chemical peels can reach these layers, they're often a great option for people with oily or acne-prone skin. Peels with chemical acids such as alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid) and beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid) induce rapid peeling (also known as skin cell detachment) that forces newer cells to come to the surface. In conclusion, chemical peels can cause acne if done incorrectly or if you have taken isotretinoin in the past six to twelve months. It's essential that you discuss with your dermatologist any possible contraindications before getting a chemical peel.
Health spas and chemical peels at home are much riskier than professional treatments done by qualified dermatologists. Chemical peels are often prescribed for mild acne scars but may not always be the best option for patients with severe acne scars. During healing after a chemical peel treatment, there is a risk of producing too much or too little collagen which can cause raised bumps or depressions in the skin respectively. Overall, chemical peels are an effective treatment option for those with oily or acne-prone skin looking for smoother and clearer skin.
