Syndicate content

Chemical peels by a dermatologist vs. at-home kit. Which is recommended?

4
helpful points

I’ve heard a lot about chemical peels in the past few months and think that this procedure might be what I’ve been looking for treating fine lines on my dark olive colored skin.

Hoping someone can help me navigate the waters between professional peels like those my dermatologist offers (she sells numerous peels, like green peels and AHA peels) and the at-home chemical peel kits. I was reading that at-home kits tend to be less potent, but maybe that's what I need for mild skin rejuvenation.


Jillis
Submitted by Jillis on April 27, 2006 - 9:20pm. Viewed 16887 times

   

I just saw something on t.v about chemical peels removing acne scars. I would really love to get this procedure done because i have such bad scarring from previous acne that i had when i was about 16. This has been such a problem for me for years now. I'm so tired of wearing makeup and not being able to just wake up and leave the house without people looking at me and wondering why I have so many black spots on my face. It's so annoying worrying about my face 24/7. I've been wearing coverup for the longest time and I am so tired of looking in the mirror and having to apply more because of how much the makeup makes my face oily. If I didnt have the scars I wouldnt have to wear so much makeup to cover it all up. I just wish that I could be normal and have beautiful clear skin. Since I am a darker tone it makes it worse! Having a dark complexion makes it harder to find makeups that dont make me look like I have the wrong type of makeup on. My face is a totally different color than my body. The makeup gives me more of a reddish-brown bronze kind of color, a color that im not, and it's not like I buy cheap makeups. I buy the most expensive ones. So im hoping that joining this website I can get some advice on to what I should do. Thankyou for taking the time out to help me.

Sincerely,

Jessica McLean

Hi Jessica,

I'm Hispanic and have medium olive skin. I've been doing glycolic peels for years, and they're great! I used to have them done with my facials in San Francisco, but was never able to find another place like it when I moved to Ventura. My skin started looking better after two treatments, and I always got compliments. Now that peels are available to the public, I won't buy pharmacy stuff. Plus, the dermatologists charge at least $100 for one treatment.

You can get light strength glycolic peels that work slowly, but get results. You should test a hidden part of your skin, just to be sure, before you use it on your face, but you should always start with lighter strengths if your skin is dark. Don't be intimidated by the process; it's very easy to do. Besides testing, the key is to prep your skin before and after the peel.

I'm not an ebay seller, just a buyer, but I get peels from "propeels." Look it up on ebay and send your post above to Shirley. She's very helpful and sells even sample kits that include all three steps.

Tell her Gladys (a/k/a glory4all) referred you. I don't get anything out of it, but she's honest, helpful and answers all questions (very patient).

Hope this helps.

Hi Jessica,
I have had acne since i was 15 now im 22...I have tryed everything. Such as chemical peels that didnt really work for me 3 days ago i have got the herbal green peel man thats one experience my face is so itchy and i cant even scratch it. I have been told to wear mineral make up works very well and very good for your skin two

What's the name of the chemical peel and where did u get it? IF you don't mind me asking ^__^. I'm only 17 going on 18, but I really would like to do one I have discoloration on both my cheeks towards the hair line(sun spots >_<) and my cheeks are visibly red it annoys the heck out of me When I moved to florida I never wore sunscreen because I thought I would be fine ( I moved from a colder place up north) and thought I didn't need it also because I'm hispanic(even though I'm light colored) I still didn't think I needed it because the risk of sun burn is lower for me. How dumb was that >_< now my face has damage from it and I would really like to get it into better shape.

dermadoctor is about to launch a new combined chemcial peel plus microdermabrasion which I've heard will be better than other microderm kits and spa treatments...coming in early 2007 I think

I've heard positive things about the home kits, maybe not for everyone though

Be very careful. I am olive skinned and got a 'Timeless peel' by cosmedix done 4 wks back. My skin is still burned and I have no hope left that it will ever improve.

How is your skin doing now? I also got a burn from the timeless peel by cosmedix. It is too soon to tell what the outcome of this will be, right now it is painful and raw. I will never have this done again.

Hi, I had a peel done at a clinci 3 weeks ago and my face is now messed up. I too have olive skin and would not recomend this to anyone. I have brown patches all over my face and am very distressed by it.

Hi,

how are you guys doing who had the timeless peels? I was thinking of getting one done but I am fair skinned. Did you use the preparation kit? Ie. refine, defy and purity clean. Lady I spoke to said it is necessary or your skin will blister.

By the way you should follow up your comments, just dropping a comment when you're still in the healing phase that the peel is terrible and not following up really doesn't give people a clear idea of the end result they could expect.

i have used skinculture peels, they are great!!!!

Hi,

I have purchased skinculture peel 3000 is it really as good as the website says? What should i be aware of before using it? Will I still be able to go to work?

Thanks,

Aisha,

While I can't answer your question, I hope everything went well. I am a golden toned 48-year old Afrian Amercian woman and plan on purchasing this product TODAY. I've been reading about it on line for the past week or so and even called and spoke to a couple of their representatives on the phone. I have dark acne scars on my back and one representative told me it is not safe to use on the body while another (who works at the spa and has personally performed this procedure on several other clients) told me that the product is safe to use on the back and has had much success. I assume that you have used the product by now and would like your opinion of your results.

Thanks!

Hi Aisha,
Are you talking about the "skin culture peel 3000"?. If it is the skin culture peels, have you used it on your back, and has it worked for you?. What about the legs can you use it in the legs?.

Thankyou,
Lina.

hello- i just got my first tcapeel thurs. night, fri. was a nightmare so swollen. Sat a little better- it is getting
very brown and crusted. also some has peeled away after my shower and is like new skin, very pink I am using ointment as directed. What shoul you do when it starts comimg off??
Thank you S.J.

Don't pull on the skin whatever you do after the chemical peel! Your doctor should have told you that your skin will scar if you do so.

KM

hey, i just purchased a skin peel 3000... going to use it on the autumb holidays... i have bad acne scares for about a year now hoping this wil work from what ive read about it.. any1 tried it? x

Hi,
I want to get the skin culture peel too. Let me know how it turns out for you?, and do you know if it can be used on the legs aswell to remove scars from scabs?.

Thanks, Lina.

hi just reading your comments as this was posted sep 07 did you use it can you please tell me the results, as i have purchased skinculture 3000,thanx

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.

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!

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?

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

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.

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

i used tghat skinculture peel 4000 too

it peeled my skin off after bout a week and like 2 days

skin looked really good after the peel cuz i had alotta discoloration from using a certain bleaching cream

but then like an idiot i used the thing that fucked my skin up in the first place again

and im back to square one

maybe another peel will fix me up again

honestly the skinculture thing works well....if you get like 5-6 of them ....gettin it once a month

you should be str8 flawless....

As a teenager, I suffered from acne. As I grew older, the acne left, but I had some light scarring. A friend of mine suggested getting facials that include glycolic peels. After two months of four facials and using the same products at home, there was a miraculous difference!

Until recently, chemical peels, i.e. TCA, glycolic, etc., weren't available on the open market. Now they are. I recommend them highly. If you've never had one before, start with a low strength glycolic peel, i.e. 20%, to see how your skin reacts. This peel has virtually no down time, and it's a good place to start. (The TLC peels are much stronger.)

You can buy them on ebay. Because I've done them before and conducted tons of research on what's available now on ebay and lots of skin care companies/sites, i.e. pricing, types, strengths, etc., I recommend you visit the "propeels" store on ebay. Shirley is just wonderful, and she can give you a great routine to start with. She's totally honest. Besides the peels, you can also buy glycolic skin washes for face and body, as well. Shirley sells sample kits, which include a 3-step routine (your face must be prepped before and after the peel).

Hope this helps. Tell Shirley that Gladys (a/k/a glory4all) referred you, just so she knows how great I think she and her products are (nothing more).

God bless.

Gladys

I hope this helps

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

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!

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.

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.

View answers from D.J. Verret, MD

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.)

View answers from Robert Clinton, MD

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...

  •     Cancel