Littleton Chemical Peel doctors

Chemical peels would definitely be a better treatment option for acne, acne scars, and large pores, especially for your olive skin type.

Chemical peels will reduce oil and bacteria levels, which will in turn help to control acne, as well as stimulate collagen production that will help to remodel scars and lessen pore size. Chemical peels, with proper skin preparation, are also typically be a safer option for darker skin tones.

Spacing between chemical peels is essentially dependent upon the depth at which they are performed. Chemical peels which reach a deeper level in the skin must be spaced further apart, while more superficial peels may be performed at shorter intervals. If scars are a primary concern, performing deeper peels at some point will offer more benefit in terms of improving their appearance.

Hope this helps,

Nick Slenkovich MD, FACS

Yes, chemical peeling can be performed on various areas of the body. The thicker skin of the back and shoulders generally handles peeling quite well. However, from what you describe it sounds as though you are prone to what we call “post inflammatory hyperpigmentation” or “PIH”.

PIH occurs when the skin over-produces melanin as a part of the natural immune response to protect the cells and is much more common in people with darker skin tones. If this is the case, any type of resurfacing procedure could put you at risk for more PIH.

To achieve your goals, I would suggest beginning a regimen with a topical lightening agent prior to undergoing any additional procedures. A prescription strength lightener, such as hydroquinone, should improve this pigmentation, as well as protect the skin from developing additional PIH following future procedures. PIH will often resolve some on its own, but it can take up to 12 months. It would be best to wait at least a few months after the laser treatment to receive a chemical peel. Having said that, chemical peeling could further improve the issue when performed with the appropriate acids and there has been a satisfactory “resting period” for the skin.

Hope this helps
Nick Slenkovich MD, FACS

Sensitive skin types may receive chemical peel treatments safely. However, it is important to choose a peel that is appropriate for each individual’s skin type. Performing a more aggressive peel on a sensitive skin patient could be disastrous, especially if the patient has not built up a tolerance for chemical exfoliation.

For a patient who has very sensitive skin, I would start with a very light peel with acids that have larger molecules and are known to be less irritating. Mandelic and lactic acids are a few examples of such acids. Furthermore, for a patient who is tends to be reactive to skin care products and has a history of allergic reactions, I would highly suggest or require a patch test 24 hours prior to the actual procedure. If there was no abnormal reaction, we would at least know that there is no allergy present that could cause adverse effects.

Again, the most important consideration in peeling sensitive skin is appropriate peel selection and starting off slow. With the right protocol, sensitive skin can actually benefit from chemical peels and become more resilient over time. With a long term treatment plan, stronger peels may also be used, as the sensitivity is under control.