Acne and whiteheads from chemical peel?

I got acne spots and whiteheads after I had a 7% TCA  and 2 % Salicylic chemical peel for pigmented scars. Were these caused by the chemical peel? They only appeared after the treatment.

3 answers to “Acne and whiteheads from chemical peel?”

A: Acne and whiteheads from chemical peel

Bryan K. Chen, MD

Chemical peels can sometimes make existing acne more inflamed before it gets better. In the long-term, however, the peel should help with acne. It is uncommon for chemical peels themselves to cause whiteheads. It is common though for moisturizers such as vaseline, aquaphor or oil-based moisturizers... more

A: Milia following a peel is not unusual

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD

If these are very small white spots then this is a condition called milia. It is not uncommon to have this condition following a chemical peel. A visit to your physician or an aesthetician can be helpful in unroofing the milia. Must be gentle.

A: These peels should help acne

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Dear Jarvis, Often after a chemical peel, patients are instructed to use a petrolatum product to help drying. These products are comedogenic, meaning they cause acne and whiteheads. The good news is that by stopping the petrolatum, the whiteheads resolve. If you have not been using petrolatum, look at the... more

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