Are chemical peels an effective solution? Are they permanent? (Photos)

Question

I have an uneven skin tone. It's pale, dull and a little dark. This bothers me. I want to get an even and fair complexion. I also have white spots on both sides of mouth.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Less is more.  You have have issues with your skin.  However your skin is overall amazing, youthful, and beautiful.  Chemical peels that are deep enough to be permanent will harm your skin permanent.  Do not get talked into something like that.  On the other hand, a light chemical peel (trichloroacetic acid 10 to 15%) will help your skin for 3 to 4 months and will not harm you.  Please see a board certified dermatologist for this care.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Chemical peels are an be a permanent solution in evening out the skin tone provided that you don't do back in the sun. Multiple chemical peels over a permanent period of time will even out the skin tone, color, and texture. Please consult an expert.  Best, Dr. Green

Are chemical peels an effective solution? Are they permanent? (Photos)

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Are chemical peels an effective solution? Are they permanent? (Photos)

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Everything you need to know about Chemical Peel

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.