Acne is the most common skin condition in teenagers and young adults. During active acne, visible bumps appear on the skin, most often on the forehead, chin, cheeks, and back. Some of the bumps, called inflammatory acne become red and painful, often leaving scars as it heals.
If at-home treatment methods fail, chemical peels are a dermatology treatment that can improve both active acne and the appearance of scars left behind after having acne.
The skilled and caring team at Orange Coast Dermatology offers several types of chemical peels to improve acne.
A chemical solution is applied to your skin to help remove the top layers of skin. Light chemical peels only remove the outermost layer of skin, while deep peels can target several layers and have a longer recovery period.
A chemical peel is a skin resurfacing procedure. As new skin grows after the chemical peel, it usually looks smoother and healthier than the old skin.
If you have active acne, a Salicylic Acid 30% Peel is the most commonly suggested treatment. Salicylic acid exfoliates and removes the outer layer of dead skin cells to help keep dead skin cells from clogging the pores and hair follicles, which reduces the formation of pimples.
Salicylic peels have an anti-inflammatory property that helps temporarily reduce oil secretions while also loosening dirt from the pores to help reduce acne. As a side benefit, salicylic peels also help reduce the appearance of large pores for an improved complexion.
Chemical peels remove the outer layer of old skin to improve the appearance of acne scars. As your body regenerates new skin, it usually comes in smoother and less scarred.
The team at Orange Coast Dermatology uses the TCA treatment to reduce the appearance of mild acne scars. Not only does the chemical peel intentionally cause trauma to the skin that removes dead skin cells, but it stimulates the body’s natural healing response and produces more collagen which helps fill in acne scars.
Additional benefits of the TCA treatment include smoother texture and skin tone, lightening dark spots on the skin, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
If you’re ready to prevent acne, reduce the appearance of existing acne scars, and get healthy skin, give us a call to schedule a visit with one of our skilled and caring dermatologists. We have an office in Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo, California.
