Alternatives to Deep Chemical Peels?

Preparingthe skin with Obagi Newderm system with Tretinoin prior to Fraxel laser procedure and in between treatments with proper spacing produces great results for acne scarring. It is safer than deep chemical peels as well as more predictible, healing is quick too.

We have been very pleased to offer the DOT laser to patients for the treatment of acne scars.  We always let patients know that they will never have perfect skin and scars will always exist. But, the fact that this treatment has less downtime and can be performed with a topical anesthetic agent is fantastic.  It also has several feature such as "stacking" which are helpful particularly for acne scars. Other modalities that we use include subcision with sephly. more

Shaina, Chemical peels are often very effective for mild to moderate skin resurfacing. However, if you have deep scars, you may want to consider fractionated laser. The laser technology has grown considerably in the last few years. Fractionated laser may be able to give you significant results with less down time than previous treatments. It is important that you go to a surgeon with laser experience and not just a weekend course. Ask to see their before and after pictures and talk... more

For many patients with deep acne scars, laser skin resurfacing has provided an effective method to treat the scars. Some deeper, "ice-pick" type scars will need to be cut out surgically. However, for the majority of the other types of acne scars, laser skin resurfacing is a great option. It may be more expensive than peels but the results are also much better. Fraxel restore and Fraxel repair are two lasers I recommend. The "repair" laser will only need 1 or 2 treatments but will have a... more

Resurfacing techniques are, in some respect, all the same. They injure the dermis, causing collagen formation when the dermis repairs, and leveling off of scars by microtightening and reduction in topographic irregularities such as the edges of acne scars. Of course this is a slight oversimplification, and minor differences exist between the techniques. The degree of control and precision is higher with lasers, lower with peels and dermabrasion. Lasers have an additional effect of... more

The best treatment for most acne scars is laser resurfacing, specifically with the new fractionated CO2 lasers. You may need one treatment or you may need a few. This will be more expensive than a chemical peel, but the safety and results are much better. Deep chemical peels have a higher risk of infection, scarring, and permanent loss of skin color. Seek out a well established dermatology or plastic surgery office where the physician performs the treatment and takes care of you... more