Chemical Peel: Forum
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Did you do a chemical peel at-home?

By fayeon 27 Apr 2006

I’ve heard a lot about chemical peels like TCA peel and Glycolic Peel. Can I save money and do it at-home or not worth the risk and go to the derm? 

View 3 doctor answers to At Home Chemical Peel Risks?

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Hi, it's been 3 weeks since doing a 50% face peel I now have brown patches on my face I think they are shrinking and a bit lighter but not sure my question is will it go in time? Many Thanks Dot.
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Hottotrot, what do you mean by "prep the skin"? I want to do an at-home TCA peel and am very scared since docs on here say not to, but so many got good results with a low dosage peel. Or will the low-dosage only lift til MORE damage is expsed? Do I need a deep one? ARGHH so confusing!
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I have had timeless peels multiple times, and I love the peel. You do have to prep your skin or it won't be ready for the product. The first peel, I had a little bit of skin peel away next to my lip, so I washed it off after an hour. I peeled 3 times in some areas, and my skin was beautiful. The next 3 times, my skin did not lift right away because my skin was prepped for it. It helped smooth out the rough acne scar bumpiness I had left over from years of acne, and it helped lighten some of the acne scars. My pores with a little smaller as well, too. I just had another one last night, and I expect to start peeling in the next 2 or 3 days. I will probably just peel one or two times. My skin is medium -- like a light olive color, and my skin is fine.
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Hello, i was just wondering did you have the peels done at a salon or did you do them at home yourself? Im thinking about doing the pomegranate peel from Cosmedix or maybe the Timeless one, but i'd like to do it at home.

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where can i get one to do at home myself?
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Please realize that a product or service is only as good or as effective as the education that is provided to the client, the compliance of the client and the expertise of the professional providing the service and instructions. Also remember, the darker your skin, the more chance of hyperpigmentation, I would not take a chance with a home peel if I had dark skin. For acne scarring you will need a really strong peel, not recommended for at home treatment, best to go to a professional. Cosmedix is the best line out there in my opinion, I have had miracles come from the use of it in my practice. However, it is a potent line that used correctly can produce amazing results, but used incorrectly, it can have adverse reactions same as any other line. Thanks!
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I am 24 year girl working in a remote-area of Africa,cannot consult a professional,but do have access to internet. I have wheatish complexion, I have ordered for TCA 10%,to treat under-eye wrinkles at home. 1)How much will entire recovery take for 10% TCA, 2)Does the skin dries and flakes in 10% TCA 3)I have heard that lower potency TCA peels take more time to heal and skin looks brown for longer as the skin does not dries & peels off as it happens with stronger-peels. 3)Is 10% TCA effective for eye wrinkles and safe for very thin delicate skin?
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Hi Alice11,

I hope you saw the expert answers to your question here:

Please explain the healing process from 10% TCA Peel

Good luck with your peel treatment!

Best,

April

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Chemical peels can work well to improve skin tone and texture.

To get the best results a patient should get a peel that goes to the papillary dermis or upper reticular dermis. (this is the depth on penetration)

To determine if you are a good candidate for this, a consultation is best.

Simply put: even if you can buy the ingredients to do the deeper peel it is not safe to do yourself.

Not only with the application be sub-standard but the alsmost as important is the after-care. You need a skilled MD to help you through the recovery to minimize side-effects and complications.

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  • emilys (unregistered guest)
  • 3 years ago
I have had tried both at home and professional TCA peels for very fine lines and freckles. Not much difference using either and was peeling for a week. Freckles faded a bit and that's it. not impressed also you gotta question what damage these chemicals are doing. The damage is what stimulates collagen production but surely that collagen is only trying to repair the damage caused by the acid and once that has been acheived the levels will drop. Also healing becomes slower as you age so you might be left with redness and look even worse than before.
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  • rey (unregistered guest)
  • 4 years ago
i have done just the visits , i started with the lowest and worked my way up. i aslo went to a anestician that started me on a skin care system i use Oboge skin care it is designed for people of color i aso use organtic make up .Jane Iradell ???? i like her make up keep in mind this will take time 3 to 6 months for u to see a difference depending on how deep the scarring is .put on sunscrean when u go out .sun will darken the spots . hope this helps
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  • nouvellarose (unregistered guest)
  • 4 years ago
Ladies, I am dark skinned/olive toned. I had IPL 5 years ago and what a dark scar after the cabs fell of and then it was so nice for 4 days of red and then the darkness of black set in. I had 4,000 worth of TCA peels..finally faded. Just had fraxel repair and I am now in a worse position. Used an over the computer Lightener and burned my skin and that is how Fraxel came into it. I am now scarred BLACK....NOTHING IS COVERING IT. Going to the best dermatologist in town and swears that Fraxel is going to solve it after 5.. 400.00 treatments. I am ruined.
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Yah! And choose professionals that know what they are doing. Maybe a dermatologist doc. Otherwise will end up with itchy spotty red face as I did after the 40% Jessner peel at a spa where it was applied without a skin test. That was my first peel ever and I didn't know any better and neither did the professional apparently. It's been 3 weeks and my face is still itchy, not to mention that I got more acne from irritation. The good part thought is that the wrinkles diminished. The peel was done to reduce acne, and it probably would if done correctly with less irritation. I think I had an allergic reaction to it and since it was happening over the weekend I didn't even have anyone to contact about it. It was 2 days of a total hell - I had to hold ice to my face for 2 nights because it was itching so bad. The cream I got from the spa was irritating skin even more, so finally I googled an info about Aquaphor which helped a lot. I came to conclusion that peel can be as dangerous with a professional as it would be at home...
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Don't risk serious injury to save a few bucks. This is one place where it is wise to consult the professionials. Perhaps you can do an "at home" superficial (VERY SUPERFICIAL) once you have had some in an office and know how you are going to respond. Many people are not candidates for peels. The "at-home" companies are NOT going to tell you this. It looks to me like it must be safe - it's at home! HA! However, if something bad does happen. . .all is not lost. . .you will probably recover. . .with the help of the "professionals" you tried to avoid. . .but this time you'll pay for it and not even have the results of the professional peel. You are much safer trying almost anything else than trying to perform a peel at home. Why not try reloading ammunition to take hunting without knowing exactly what you are doing. . .it could be a little dangerous. . .but you'd save some money (Ok. Don't be offended. It's a joke.)
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  • KimHere (unregistered guest)
  • 4 years ago
Hey Doc - some of us are looking for a peels we can do ourselves because of the unsatisfying results from the pros. I've had expensive peels from professionals (in CA, MI, and TX). One time the pro dabbed some of the peel on a small discolored spot she saw on my chest (she did it as a "favor" to me), but it ended up looking like a permanent cigarette burn on my chest! It looks horrible and left a scar, yet I had very little results on my face. Most of the time I find that the professionals use a weak solution, but charge me hundreds of dollars and set the expectation that I will see dramatic results. However, the results are minimal, and the only dramatic result I've seen was the scarring of my chest!
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Chemical peels are nothing to laugh at. In the wrong hands, they can cause permanent scarring and pigment irregularities of the skin. In qualified hands, they can create excellent results which smooth pigment irregularities, decrease previous scarring, decrease wrinkles, and produce a natural youthful skin. Great caution should be used in chemical peels in dark skinned individuals as the risk for pigment irregularities after the peel are greater than light skinned individuals. In general there are three types of peels - light, medium, and deep. Light peels include glycolic acid and AHA peels which are often available over the counter. These tend to produce superficial results and are generally safe. Medium depth peels such as TCA peels are good for pigment irregularities of the skin. These should definitely be applied by qualified physicians with experience in chemical peels. There are risks associated with any type of peel and there are some associated with TCA peels. TCA peels can be found on Ebay but BE CAREFUL. Use them only under the guide of a physician. Deep chemical peels include phenol peels. These are good for wrinkles and pigment and produce wonderful results. Unfortunately there are risks involved and prolonged redness is not uncommon. The results though are marvelous. Just be careful and consult with a qualified physician - preferably a dermatologist, facial plastic surgeon, or plastic surgeon who has experience with chemical peels.
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my name is sabrina and i have suffered from acne scarring since i was about 13. i just started the skin culture 4000 treatment on my back and chest. unfortunely i didnt read the faqs before purchase and just found out it is not recommended for use on the body. has any one used it on the back or chest and what were the results? i am anxious to hear from someone for fear i will be out $200.00.
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Hey, Gladys! You're writing about the "propeels" ebay store. I tried to find the store by that name, but nothing shows up. Is there any other name or way to find the seller? Thanks!
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hey guys .. i'm really really frustrated ! i pulled out the skin from my chicken pox scar which i used 10% tca peel . it turned pink ! can u give me some suggestions on what cream to use? i've been using hydrocortisone cream .. would this one help?? pls i really need ur help
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  • carmel (unregistered guest)
  • 5 years ago
I've purchased skinculture 3000 as recomended for oilly to combanationskin i have olive skin which has been sundamaged, can any-one tell me if thsis really works?????? please.
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  • KatherineCM (unregistered guest)
  • 5 years ago
I have purchased and used the skin culture peel on three separate occasions. It is a terrific product and does a great job of clearing up pigmentation problems and some scarring, most of all it just gives you wonderful clear supple skin. I did not do these peels consecutively, but I bet if I had, I would have had even better results. I just could not keep explaining to my clients about all the dead skin falling off my face! The peeling is noticeable and the "browning" of your face (top skin being denied of oxygen and dying) is kind of gross looking, but does not last very long. Then the peeling process begins. Mine did not come off in sheets, but tiny little pieces which were difficult NOT to pick. The skin underneath looked so pink and healthy that all you want to do is peel the stuff off yourself, but DON'T. It needs to come off on its own or you will scar. The process is longer than the stated 7 days. It took me about 10 days to look normal. I did not want to go out for about 4 of the 10 days. I was hoping it would clear up some acne and it did for a while, but when it came back, the acne seemed to be a little more pronounced because the rest of my face looked so good. I would not say it clears up acne, but certainly on adult sun damaged skin, acne scars or disclorated skin, I would say that this is a great home product. Be aware that it does burn like the dickens when you apply it. The first 20 minutes are very very uncomfortable and you need to leave it on for 90 minutes a night. Also, a downfall, you cannot wash your face for the entire 7 days. Believe me, you won't need to but its a little unnerving not to and if you wear eye makeup, don't let it run down your face! Good luck
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  • AP (unregistered guest)
  • 5 years ago
I'm about to purchase the skinculture peel 4000 and the after care products with it. Does it really wrk as good as the website says or shud I stay wawy frm it?
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Hi there, I purchased the skinculture peel a few months ago. Nothing to be scared of it does work and makes your skin really clear. However the mistake I made was exfoliating. Do not do this 2 weeks before you do the peel as it will not be as affective. The peel is not as strong as I would have liked as I have very strong skin so my skin did not peel in big pathes it more flaked off. Regards Tracey
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  • bami (unregistered guest)
  • 5 years ago
I just received a salicylic chemical peel at a clinic yesterday with good results and no irritation. A good one for acne, it dried it right up!
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well for at home use, i have used the mushroom-based peel by neutrogena, and i love it. i am using it down to the last drop. somehow it works for me without irritating my skin. its worth a try.
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