My chemical peel experience.

Mar 5, 2015

Jenna L.

I will be updating this to describe my experience with getting a chemical peel so offer guidance and help to others considering it.
First off I was recommended to get a peel to treat my acne and acne scarring. I would say I have slight purplish scaring on my cheeks and occasional cystic breakouts but my main issue is white heads. I also have very oily skin & am unable to take any hormonal medication to treat (like birth control).
For over the last month I've been on an oral antibiotic to help fight and kill acne causing bacteria, and am using an acne medicated cream on my troubled spots nightly. I've also been trying to increase my waster intake daily, to keep my skin hydrated. So I've noticed slight improvements in my skins oilyness and no breakout since sticking to this routine.
So now I'm ready for my peel. Which is basically just lying down, they remove your makeup and cleanse your skin. She should explain what products she's using and what they do to help. The whole process takes about 10 minutes and isn't at all uncomfortable. You may feel a slight sting or an itch feeling but it is normal and bearable. I am left with a solution on my skin that I should leave on for a max of 4 hours which isn't irritating me at all either.

Mar 5, 2015

J L.

Thanks. I look forward to hearing your experience. (: I'm very interested in doing it, mainly for acne scarring.

Mar 5, 2015

Jenna L.

I will say that what they explained would be the healing process when they convinced me to get the peel is different than what they said afterwards - which is way more intense. I thought it would be healed in a few days and apparently it'll be like a week

Mar 5, 2015

Michelle S.

Thanks for sharing. The only procedure I've had is microdermabrasion. It took me a little bit longer to fully heal from it than longer.
Just out of curiosity, did you derm suggest a certain cleanser to use afterwards? I'm only asking because your skin might become real irritated and itch and flake after the procedure. If you go outdoors often use a sunscreen.
Hope everything clears up :)

Mar 5, 2015

Jenna L.

So it's been a few hours since the peel, and I noticed extreme itching! After about 4 hours I washed the "vitamin A" (I think) solution off my face with cool water just using my fingers and the itching is soothed. My care notes say to use nothing on my face for the remainder of the night and I feel fine. My skin still looks normal and feels normal. I am SO paranoid about going to work tomorrow to see if my skin peels or if my makeup cakes up. Michelle - she didn't suggest a specific brand but did say to use gentle products that don't contain ingredients found in most acne cleaning lines like glycolic acid and peroxides. So I got some Aveno natural products that I will start using tomorrow night.

Mar 5, 2015

Saarah A.

This sounds interesting! Show before and after pictures xx

Mar 5, 2015

Jenna L.

Saarah - unfortunately I didn't take any before photos of my skin cause I'm so self conscious! But I will try to find some photos of what my skin looked like and probably start some progress photos this weekend as the peeling starts to show how it goes!

Mar 5, 2015

Jenna L.

Update- The morning after the chemical peel : I slept all night with no skin irritation. I woke up this morning and my skin actually looked great to my surprise. There is a slight pink tone to it which is normal. I have noticed no peeling or dryness, it just feels super soft. I was told it's ok to wear makeup so I am continuing with my normal routine. I apply a green toned primer and let it set, and I apply my liquid foundation with a slightly damped beauty blender. Everything is going as normal for now. I may just be imagining it but my skin looks better and I have noticed my scaring is not very noticeable. She said that the vitamin A solution used on my face that I left on for 4 hours would really help with the scarring and I must say, I think it's working. I hardly needed any concealer to cover the marks. I've had my makeup on for about 3 hours so far and it's pretty normal. I notice it's getting a little bit oily/pasty now which is usually normal for me anyways, so I'm just trying to really stick to drinking lots of water today and hope it helps.

Mar 6, 2015

Jenna L.

Full 24 hours after peel - my skin has felt fine and I haven't noticed any tightness. I just notice my makeup now isn't looking nice after wearing it all day. I also contribute this to not using a good primer but it's starting to look patchy and dry.

Mar 6, 2015

Jenna L.

Now it's night time and my makeup was just yuck. Looked very dry and cakey. Removed makeup and skin is very dry almost looks like it's cracking. I applied a good moisturizer after a genteel cleanse and I think I should be good to go. I really think I may skip out on work tomorrow though!

Mar 6, 2015

Jamie Estele G.

What is the chemical peel suppose to do exactly?

Mar 6, 2015

Jamie Estele G.

I'm looking to try and get rid of my acne scars or at least diminish them as much as I can.

Mar 6, 2015

Jenna L.

Jamie - Chemical peels are done for different skin conditions at different levels. Mine is a "superficial peel" to treat my acne and scaring. What I was explained was that thought a series of peels every few weeks and with oral antibiotics , my acne would clear up and my new skin that would resurface through the peels would be acne and scar free. You need to see a derm to get them done.

Mar 6, 2015

Jenna L.

Day 2 of the peel - I had to call into work today because the peeling is really noticeable and can't be covered with makeup. My skin is also red and looking burnt, which is normal. It's starting to feel a bit tighter. I am using a moisturizer to keep my skin soft and not picking at my skin.

Mar 7, 2015

Jamie Estele G.

Thanks! Did you happen to ask them or do you know what the difference is between doing a chemical peel at a spa vs with a dermatologist (health clinic)?

Mar 7, 2015

Jenna L.

I don't think they can do chemical peels at a basic spa. But I'm not 100% sure. Spas are more for facials I think. But if they both do it I would assume it's the same thing.

Mar 8, 2015

Jenna L.

Day 5 of the peel. Yesterday was the worst for feeling so far but again it's not painful. It just doesn't look nice. So I haven't been wearing makeup or leaving the house all weekend. Today should be the last day for peeling for I find doubt it. I feel like this process takes a bit too long for my liking and I don't know if I'll continue to get peels since I don't have 4 days of down time to take off work each month.

Mar 12, 2015

Jenna L.

Update. My peel has finished. The entire ordeal lasted from Wednesday - Day of peel to Monday - where I still experienced dryness. I had to take Friday off work because the peeling started earlier then she said it would. I haven't noticed anything improved with my skin really (which it's not supposed to, you need a series of peels) other than the white heads on my chin are more exposed and I've been able to pop them or exfoliate and treat them. Will I get this done again? Honestly probably not. I know with repeated peels it would improve my acne but the time it takes to peel and heal, doesn't work with my schedule and I won't take a day off work every month for it.