Chemical Peel: Stories

I had laser skin resurfacing in October for acne scars. My doctor said she used erbium on my cheek where I had deeper scars and fraxel for the rest of my face. I was pretreated with hydroquinone to prevent hyperpigmentation which I was really concerned about. It's been 3 months and what a rough recovery. I did not expect the downtime to be so long. Going into it she said I would be presentable in a month. WRONG!The most troublesome side effects were redness and hyperpigmentation. Redness all over my face but especially on my cheeks and brownish discoloration on my cheeks,temples and mostly where she used the Erbium. I followed the after care instructions: wore sunscreen, stayed out of the sun and had to wear make up (which is very distressing for a guy). To say that it was very disruptive to my social and recreational life is an understatement. Long story short, it's been 3 months and while the redness started to subside, it was blotchy. I was more red in areas where she really went deep. The hyperpigmentation got lighter but still obvious. I was so sick of it so I consulted another clinic and they recommended Mealanage peel. It's been a week after the peel and so far I'm it looks like I will be HAPPY with the results. It did not hurt, but the first 3 days I was peeling like crazy and very red. This made me feel rather depressed and worried that I would have to go through more downtime. BUT after that the redness lessened and I could tell the brown discoloration has lightened significantly. I'm still peeling minimally and continuing with the creams they gave me. The results take up to 8 weeks for full effect. I'm very satisfied with the results so far. My skin looks more even, the pores are much smaller and the discoloration is lighter. In hindsight I'm still not sure if the laser surgery was worth the downtime. The scars have gotten shallower and my doctor says benefits from laser continue up to 6 months. I am certain though that I would not want to relive the past 3 months.

I work at a medspa that private labels the mini melenage peels. Well anyone they sell kits with and without the cream, obviously the one without is cheaper. Well when we sell a package of more then one peel we usually offer 3 kits and only the first one has the melenage cream, however we explain to the client that the peel is most effective for stubborn hyperpig when done every 4 weeks I'm s series of 3. However the cream is only good for 4 months and if used every 1-2 nights it def is plenty. Hope that helps!!!

I bought the 3 series of the mini melanage peel and I got a small night cream each time... I thought that one would last the entire 3 series but maybe some places are different, I would call and ask before you come to any conclusions. Where do you go for your treatments? Are you happy so far? This is the best my face has looked in a long time and I've spent thousands of dollars on products and other treatments. Theres still a little scaring but VERY lightened now. All my friends have noticed and complimented. I have the acne pits too on my cheeks but not too bad at all, but my place was talking to me about doing Frazle to fix that. I'm looking into it now.

A question to all those who have had two or more mini peels in succession. I had my 2d peel this week and was given everything, except the full-size jar of melanage cream. The cosmetician was acting like the jar from the first kit should last me, but I paid the same price for both peels and I am feeling pretty ripped off at this point. So did everyone else get full size melanage cream jars with each successive mini peel? If she refuses to give me the second jar when I go back in two weeks, what recourse do I have?

JoannaCT, so you did 3 peels and it didn't work? Hummm, that's not good then. I'm very lucky to say I don't have acne problems or ever had in the past. My only issue is the non-stop growing dark spots below my eyes n cheek bones. I have good skin- not oily or dry. I don't tan nor apply make-up, but do only during special occasion. I do apply moisturizer and sunscreen....so I don't know why I get these ugly dark patches-like on my face. I'm seriously thinking on doing the regular peel.

I'm sorry it didn't work for you. I hope you fins a solution soon. Let me know when you do.

Hi Jess41. My appt is next week on Thursday to do the one-time regular peel (not the mini) bc my doctor thinks I'm the perfect candidate for the one-time and didn't think I need multiple treatments. However, I'm so nervous and skeptical. I'm scared of the results. It will cost me $700. And this includes the take home kit as well. What if it doesnt work; $700 down the drain!!!! I've done all the research on line and there where both neg and pos about the peel. So I don't know what to do. So, how's your peel so far? Is this a perm fix or does it req multiple peels? I would like to see if we can email each other exclusively for further support and tips. Pls let me know. Thx.

Me too, I have NEVER wore sunscreen but I'm going to now. Just went to my follow up and saw the before pictures, my skin looks so much better. I told her my skin is a lighter color but she says its normal bc the peel takes out the melasma so once it heels I'll look much better by next week :) I'll post pictures if I can get them from her!

I Went to Lafrance Aesthetics for the mini peel and I'm on day 4, I can def. See a difference already, I can wait to see afer my 3rd mini peel!

Looks great... how long until you stopped peeling? I am on day 5 and am still peeling!

Thanks, i'm happy with it and I'm going to take better care of my skin now...sunscreen every day!

Wow, that peel did work well! I can see a huge difference in your after photos - very nice! Thanks for including such good pictures so we could easily see the changes.