Unfortunately, the combination of large amounts of dead skin and inflammation from the procedure can lead to pimples. We know how frustrating it can be, but after this initial outbreak, skin should lighten in a few days and look healthier. Professional chemical peels, such as VI scrubs, are designed to provide smoother, more radiant and glowing skin. But before you get to such good benefits, you may suffer some side effects, such as skin purging, also known as the 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 seeing the final results. Keep reading to see why this process may be the precursor to your most beautiful post-exfoliation skin ever. For best results, the dermatologist will perform several peels over several weeks.
Deep chemical peels are done once and require an extended healing period. After full treatment, chemical peels remove damaged skin and eliminate acne. There are also some hidden extras in your chemical peel. For example, your scrub will improve the absorption of future topical treatments that you will use to keep acne at bay.
You're likely to have an outbreak within a day or two after the first peel. Sarah warned me that I would probably go out a little. It wasn't my skin reacting negatively to the skin. In fact, it was latent issues that now had the opportunity to expose themselves because the layers of skin above them were now out of the way.
I didn't have unbearable outbreaks or anything, but I was aware of it. You can buy products containing glycolic and salicylic acids for use at home, or you can have a skin professional perform chemical peels with slightly stronger formulations. Not as daunting as it sounds, a chemical peel usually involves wearing products on the face that remove the top layer of skin. But what is a chemical peel for acne? In reality, both are very similar and use a type of mild acid, often derived from natural sources such as fruits, that exfoliates the skin.
The benefits of chemical peel are great for many skin problems, but there are some particularly good acids that are famous for their ability to kick annoying blackheads to the ground. Chemical peels are special acid solutions applied to the face by a board-certified dermatologist or esthetician. It is imperative that you protect your skin from the sun in the days and weeks after a chemical peel for acne. In the weeks leading up to your first chemical peel, you may be prescribed topical medications to prepare your skin for the peel.
If you have severe acne scars or stings, a facial chemical peel at home is unlikely to help reduce your appearance, because the effect is only superficial. Also, if you are taking any skin medication, talk to your doctor before having a chemical peel. Chemical peels effectively exfoliate the top layer of dead, dull skin and help treat acne scars (see below), but they also help kill skin bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes, which is a major cause of acne. Within a few weeks, the effects of your chemical peel will be revealed and your skin will look healthier and clearer.
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. Because chemical peels are effective in removing the top layer of skin, they can also be effective in minimizing the appearance of minor acne scars. The best way to deal with the effects of acne breakouts as a result of skin purging after a chemical peel is to relax.
