Can I Remove Scars on my Legs with a Chemical Peel?

Question

I have a lot of scars on my legs and because of that I'm unable to wear shorts or skirts. What can i do to remove these scars and can Chemical Peel be done on the legs?

Cameron Chesnut, MD, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

The good news about scar treatment is that they can always be improved. Pigmented scars can be lightened, red and purple scars can be corrected, depressed scars can be raised, raised scars can be flattened and scar texture can improve. The reality is, it often takes multiple types of treatment to address each aspect of the scar, and even with great improvements, scars will never fully be gone. 
Lasers can help change the pigment, red or purple color and texture of the scar. Fillers and mechanical subcision can be used to raise depressed scars. Various injectable treatments can flatten scars. The right combination of those treatments will depend on your individual needs, goals and anatomy. It takes an expert in scar revision to help choose and present your options, and you need someone who has all of those mentioned treatment modalities available. 
To ensure you are receiving the highest level of care, seek out a modernly trained, new-school dermatologic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who is board certified and fellowship trained in one of these "core four" cosmetic specialties. Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery help to identify a highly trained surgeon.
Cameron Chesnut
#realself500 Physician

Lawrence Kass, MD · Answer

No. You certainly cannot remove the scars on your legs with a chemical peel, or with anything else. But I disagree with another responder in that I do think light peels would be of benefit in improving your problem. But it is hard to say without sweeing photos.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Dark brown scars on the legs can be dramatically improved with topical creams such as Melarase AM and MelarasePM, followed by a series of chemical peels such as MelaPeel. Melarase PM Dark Spot Repair can reduce pigmentation by addressing the tyrosinase enzyme within the melanocyte. Larger areas can be treated with light fractional laser and Luminase and Exfolase creams. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian#Realself100 Surgeon

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hello Joycelp,
It's impossible to say which treatment would be best for you without know what kind of scars you have. We have successfully treated pigmented scars on the legs from old bug bites using q-switched lasers. Unfortunately for textured (surgical or trauma) scars, we do not have a good suggestion. Good luck.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

Scars on legs are very difficult to treat. If you have dark pigmentation, you can try tretinoin cream, hydroquinone cream or even glycolic acid cream for fading. Light chemical peels may help a little but you must avoid sun exposure. You can also try waterproof camouflage makeup.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

Without explicit photos, it is impossible to accurately answer you question. What kind of scars are you referring to? Are they raised? Widened? Keloids? Pigmented? What is your ethnicity.

	Answer to these along with photos can assist in providing you with a more accurate answer. You can also consider seeking out a consultation with a reputable physician in your area.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

A Scar is permanent and can never be removed. In some cases, a scar can be REVISED and can be made much better.
Chemical peeling involves the use of a caustic substance that burns a top layer of the skin. By limiting the action of the chemical to the superficial layers, the REMAINING layers of skin (especially hair and oil / sweat glands) allow the skin to regenerate in a smoother, less blemished fashion.
BUT - 1. Skin below the face does NOT have a high enough concentration of oil / sweat glands to always allow skin to heal. As a result chemical peels BELOW the neck can be dangerous and result in FULL THICKNESS BURNS and ugly scars.
2. Scars extend much deeper than the superficial layers. As a result chemically "sanding" the superficial layers of skin with a caustic chemical / Dermabrasion or laser will NOT remove scars.
Do NOT do it.
Dr. P. Aldea

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, scars on the legs are usually permanent.  Sometimes, scar revisions can be performed to soften them.  Some lasers can be used to lighten them.

Bryan K. Chen, MD · Answer

People who complain of scars on the legs frequently are referring to dark brown spots rather than scarring. Chemical peel exfoliation of the skin can help to lighten skin of the legs but in people of color, peels that are too aggressive can actually darken the skin. If brown spots is what you are referring to, things that can help include tretinoin cream (retin-A), hydroquinone, azelaic acid, and mild cortisone creams for short-term use. I suggest you consult with a board certified specialist first to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

John P. Di Saia, MD · Answer

Hello,
Chemical peels on the legs can lead to poor results as the blood supply there is not nearly as abundant as it is on the face. For this reason, performing peels other than on the face carries much more risk. Healing may not be so kind. Maybe consider scar revision for the larger scars.

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