Chemical Peel for Spider Veins and Large Pores?

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis. We see atrophic and hypertrophic scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to discuss the best treatment options for your type of skin. .

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Chemical peels do not have any effect on the appearance of spider veins and may in fact make them slightly more visible by removing pigmentation and overlying tissues. Pores may be slightly improved.

No chemical peels help spider veins.  Facial spider veins are best treated with laser or pulsed light therapy.

I recommend a series of light peels, microdermabrasion or pulsed light therapy to lessen the appearance of  enlarged pores.  An at home dermatologist recommended skin care program can be a helpful adjunct also.  

So we have to remember that we are mammals and covered with hair follicles. When the edges of the follicles become prominent then the pores of our skin become more noticable. To treat this would be to slough the surface of the skin with either resurfacing laser techniques, chemical peels or topical tretinion, and to shrink the underlying nearby oil glands with a topical tretinoin cream. In your case it seems that a topical vitamin A cream, tretinoin or retinol, would be helpful in decreasing the appearance of the pores. The treatment of vessles/veins is performed best with lasers or light devices. The vessel is targeted and shrunk/destroyed in this method. Remember that these treatments are not perminent and the pores and vessels can recur as time progresses.

Chemical Peels are not the answer for pores and veins, both are too deep and unresponsive to be effected by a peel, even a deep one. Topically applied retinoids such as Retin A, or tazorac, can improve skin texture and pores to some extent and vascular lasers work very well on enlarged veins. More invasive lasers like a fractionated CO2 laser (Activ Fx) improve both problems, but involve down time and can be expensive.

From my experience, chemical pees do not treat the spiders, and may make the pores wider. You would do well with vascular laser treatments, and perhaps Coblation or CO2 laser for the pores.
I think you can do better than Gold Bond, and a visit with to a skin care specialist. The products may be more expensive, but the benefits are worth it.

Chemical peels do not help spider veins. There are many lasers that can treat spider veins very well.  They usually require multiple treatments over several weeks time.

I am not aware of any treatment that can actually shrink pores. Treatments that can, however, improve the appearance of pores include chemical peels, microdermabrasion and possibly IPL. Chemical peels will do nothing for the spider veins, but IPL would address that problem. You may want to include use of a gentle exfoliating cleanser or cream containing, for example 10% glycolic acid as part of your daily skincare regimen.
Good luck.

Congratulations on having the wisdom to stay out of the sun. Not hard to do if you live in Washington State.
As for improving your pore size, I agree with Dr. Chen that there is little you can do to affect pore size itself. We hear this all the time, with pores almost seeming like they have the ability to expand and contract like the pupil of the eye. However, there is little in the dermatology literature suggesting it is that easy.
You can improve the appearance of pores however, with microdermabrasion, a regimen of chemical peels, exfoliation and the proper use of makeup. All these mechanisms are designed to remove the upper layer of the skin, and allow the pores to stay open, clean and less prominent.
As far as the spider veins chemical peels would not help and in fact might irritate the skin and cause it to produce more small blood vessels. Light sources such as the IPL or pulsed dye laser would be quite beneficial. If there is a background of erythema (redness), then IPL would be best. If a few small discrete spiders are weaving their way on your cheek, then the pulsed dye laser would be most helpful.
Also, do not forget about electrodessication. Used on a low current setting this is a cheap and effective method of eliminating small blood vessels.
As far as a good exfoliator, the Retinoids are the best with the alpha-hydroxy acids a reasonable alternative. Tazarac and Retin A, I feel, are the best exfoliators, but Retinol is a good choice since although not quite as effective ( it is an alcohol and has to be converted to the acid form to gain potency....Retin A, already is an acid and does not require such conversion) it is cheaper, milder and does not require a prescription.
There a ton of good alpha-hydroxy acid products out there, although I prefer Neo-Strata which is the grandfather of the alpha-hydroxy acids (begun by Eugene Van Scott, M.D., the dermatologist who discovered their utility).

I have seen very significant improvement with both the Fraxel re:Store and the Fraxel re:pair for reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and restoring a smoother look to the skin. Microdermabrasion is fine in a series, perhaps combined with superficial peels for finer pores but the Fraxel will give accelerated results.