I've been using adapalene on my face for my acne for over a year. I want to get a chemical peel to help with scars.

Question

How long do I need to be off the adapeline before is safe to have chemical peel? ? Is 7 days sufficient? ?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. 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 decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Heidi A. Waldorf, MD · Answer

Ask your dermatologist if you should discontinue your adapalene and if so for how long before and after a scheduled peel.  You may not have to stop before a light glycolic or salicylic acid peel,  but would likely want to stop a few days to a week before a medium TCA or Jessner/TCA.  If you are scheduled at a spa or with an aesthetician, its best to stop retinoids like adapalene a week prior to your appointment and be sure to let her know you've been using it so she can adjust the concentration and/or length of exposure time and/or passes of acid applied.

Brian Windle, MD (retired) · Answer

This is an interesting question.  It is hard to give a very specific answer
without seeing your scars, knowing how long you have had them and what type of
scarring you have (rolling, pitted, ice pick, etc.).

You mention that you are on adapalene.  This is actually a medication of active
acne.  Certain peels can help with active
acne.

If you actually have scars that have been there for some
time then a filler is one of the most effective way to improve them.  The FDA approved filler that works great for
rolling acne scars is Bellafill. 
Sometimes a treatment like excision and another treatment called
subcision are necessary as well.

I hope that helps.

Best regards.

I've been using adapalene on my face for my acne for over a year. I want to get a chemical peel to help with scars.

Answers (3)

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