Do superficial scars return after chemical peels?

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

Your question is an interesting one! While scarred skin will never "return to normal", the appearance of scars can be markedly improved by well-selected chemical peels. Superficial peels, the gentlest type, are the safest but will not yield the most dramatic results. It is possible that with a series of regularly-scheduled superficial peels, you could see pleasing results. I do not necessarily think skin will "revert back to original" after stopping peels. This is because the changes induced in the skin by the chemical peel agents will not simply disappear. However, if there is a chronic underlying condition (such as acne) that is contributing to ongoing scarring, then more scars will likely appear as a result of an uncontrolled disease.

Most superficial scars  in my experience seems to improve because of the slight tightening affect of them and the general improvement of the surrounding skin by the increased turn-over of the cells.  True scars improve with time, but are permanent in nature.  Some newer techniques for treating scars that are unsightly and bothersome to persons are ablative, fractioned O2  lasers.