Acne Scar Treatments Review

Chemical peels of the face is a treatment that stimulates, through the application of a chemical on the skin, the exfoliation and subsequent replacement of the skin.

The chemical peel acts in the skin of the face through the action of several mechanisms:

- Stimulates regeneration (turnover) and cellular exfoliating removing dead cells of the stratum corneum leading to a real acceleration of cell turnover that is already naturally in the dermis.

-Remove damaged skin cells, which are replaced by normal skin cells.

-Produces an inflammation that triggers the production of collagen and elastin (revitalization and rejuvenation of the dermis by stimulating fibroblasts with collagen formation autologous).

A facial peeling can then act at both the superficial dermis, or deeper level, but remember that rather than do a deep exfoliation, with the possible risks and side effects, you should run several sessions of superficial or medium depth peeling.

History and origins of peeling

The Birth and the origins of peeling are lost in antiquity in Egypt, Greece, Turkey, India and Babylon were used substances and ingredients of plant origin combined with sulfur, pumice, mineral dust, powder plants and flowers.

At the end of ‘the 800 German dermatologist P.G. Unna experimented with many substances and methods for peeling and in 1882 described the use of ‘trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, resorcinol and the phenol.
Mackee, a famous English dermatologist, experienced in 1952, the phenol for the treatment of acne scars.

Diseases and blemishes that can be treated with peeling

* Keratosis and skin aging
* Acne scars
* Stretch marks
* Rosacea
* Discoloration
* Acne
* Seborrheic Dermatitis
* Radiodermatitis

What results can I expect?

Improve the appearance of facial skin by removing the most superficial layers of the epidermis.

What are the times of healing?

The healing time is variable between 4 and 12 days depending on the concentration used in the peeling.

What are the side effects of the post-peeling?

Redness and darkening of the skin for several days after treatment, exfoliation for 8-10 days.

What are the risks of the procedure?

Rare cases such as infections or scars.

The various types of peeling

The peeling may be classified and divided according to the type of chemical that contain or according to the depth in the skin which are acted upon:very superficial, superficial peeling, peeling medium-deep, deep peeling.

The substances used for chemical peels

Glycolic Acid
Resorcinol
5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu)
Retinoic acid
Peeling TCA trichloroacetic acid
Salicylic
Pyruvic acid
Alpha-hydroxy acids
Phenol
Jessner ’s Solution
TCA
ascorbic
lactic
Peeling Alfa Beta Complex
Peeling HPP (High Potency Peel)
Peeling Mandelic acid
Peeling Yellow Peel
Peeling Yellow Peel Alfabeta Complex

How deep the peeling?

There are many factors that must be taken into account, to choose the depth of chemical peel:

* Type of blemish or disease that we treat
* The substance used and its concentration
* Area of treated skin
* Application technique and how many steps performed on the same area of skin
* Pre-treatment skin peeling
* Type of the patient’s skin
* Skin thickness
* The duration of the peeling, or how long the chemical remains on the skin
* Preparation of the skin before treatment
* Different areas of skin to be treated

The aesthetic medical expert and preparation will carefully evaluate the patient’s skin type and determine what is the more appropriate result of peeling.

Peeling Preparation

In the two weeks prior you must to prepare the skin peeling using glycolic acid containing cosmetics, and products containing alpha – hydroxy – acids to promote a faster re-epithelization and healing of the skin, and depigmenting substances which prevent the deposition of melanin on the skin surface and therefore reduce the likelihood of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Substances for preparing for a chemical peel
- Hydroquinone
- Sunblock
- AHA

Very superficial peeling

Peeling removes only the most superficial layer of the skin surface and run with the application of glycolic acid solutions with concentrations ranging between 50% and 70%
Useful for obtaining a removal of the opacity of the skin and restore luminosity to the skin and reduce the surface pigmentation.

Time of application varies depending on the patient’s skin.
The discomfort during treatment is a slight tingling sensation spread the treated area for several minutes.

Desquamation appears after 3 days and lasts about 5-7 days.

Because of its mild action,it is not indicated to delete imperfections such as acne, scars, wrinkles.
More sessions are necessary to get a satisfactory result.

Superficial peeling

This kind of peeling creates necrosis of part of the epidermis reaching the basal layer of the same.

Superficial peeling is indicated for:
- Acne
- Acne scars
- Scars
- Hyperpigmentation such as melasma and solar lentigines
- Superficial wrinkles of the cheeks and eye area

Is carried out with solutions at varying concentrations of:
- Salicylic Acid 30%
- The cholic acid 70%
- Trichloroacetic acid from 15% to 20%
- Solution of Jessner
- Resorcin 40%

Medium-depth peeling

This creates peeling of the epidermis and necrosis of the papillary dermis

It is used for acne, acne scars and chicken pox,melasma, wrinkles medium depth with the possibilities of combining peeling infiltration of fillers.

In the medium-deep peeling trichloroacetic acid solution to 35-40% or peeling combined or mixed or Phenol 88% are used.

During treatment you feel a burning sensation that can be very intense.

The post-peeling is quite challenging, because the treated skin becomes dark, and after 5 days there is the ‘large scales exfoliation that continues for 8-10 days.

Deep Peeling

In addition to necrosis of the epidermis, this also causes peeling of the papillary dermis and sometimes necrosis of the reticular dermis
Indicated for widespread and more pronounced wrinkles and scars. its effects are not comparable to a surgical facelift, but the two techniques can be complementary.

Course after peeling

Always follow all the instructions that will be given by the physician-surgeon who carried out the treatment.
And please remember that in the course of post-peeling is absolutely essential to protect from the sun and sun lamps and UVA – UVB for at least two months after the application of peeling (even at home) with products that contain sunscreens and protective screens, to prevent hyperpigmentation.
Wash the skin with a mild detergent, rinse thoroughly and gently without any kind of rubbing or irritation and keep skin protected.
The healing time varies from 4 days to 12 days depending on the concentration used in the peeling.

Warnings risks and complications of chemical peeling.

If the peeling is performed by a serious physician with aesthetic experience, it is considered a safe procedure and has no risks but do not forget that its penetration into the skin may not be uniformly and then complications can occur in rare cases such as infections or scars.

What is dermabrasion?

Dermabrasion is a treatment that improves skin irregularities by removing the top layer of skin and giving it a more smooth and regular appearance.
With dermabrasion scars and superficial wrinkles around the lips and face can also be corrected, although no treatment can eliminate them altogether.


There are age limits to undergo dermabrasion?

No, there are no age limits for undergoing this type of treatment.

The variables that influence the success of treatment are many: in general, people with fair skin are more likely to get results better than subjects with dark complexion, Asian or African. And in some regions of the body the scars tend to be more evident, such as in the thoracic region, behind the ears and shoulders.

What other interventions can be performed with the dermabrasion?

Dermabrasion can be performed alone or in combination with other techniques such as surgical face lift, peelings, fillers or other medical treatments and cosmetic surgery.

What are the risks and complications of this type of treatment?

Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure quite simple. When this type of treatment is performed by a specialist in plastic surgery results are generally very good. However, this is a surgical procedure where the complications (bleeding, infection, hypo-or hyperpigmentation) are rare but can happen.
To reduce the risk of complications is still important to follow the advice of the the surgeon before and after surgery.

What type of anesthesia is practiced?

Dermabrasion is usually performed under local anesthesia and on a day-hospital.
If treatment is particularly extensive (eg, dermabrasion on entire face) it may be necessary to use general anesthesia resulting in hospitalization in the clinic overnight.

How long is the treatment of dermabrasion?

The duration of treatment varies depending on the extent of the region and ending with an occlusive dressing that is removed after 4-7 days.

What information should be followed after treatment of dermabrasion?

In order to obtain the best possible outcome after surgery is essential that you follow carefully all the information that the surgeon will give you from time to time.
In the period following treatment is recommended the application of sunscreen with high protection and sun exposure must be avoid for several months.
The resumption of normal activities is very dependent on the type of intervention that you have undergone.

What sort of results can be achieved with dermabrasion?

The aesthetic result that can be achieved with this type of treatment is influenced by several factors (type of skin, body area affected, etc.)..
The result is permanent and will be finally reached approximately 6 months after the treatment.

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive and rapid procedure used to reshape the surface of the skin. It ‘a new and non invasive technique, which consists of mechanical abrasion of most superficial layers of the epidermis, for example through micro-crystals of aluminum oxide, which removes dead skin cells and stimulate cell renewal.

This procedure gently removes only the damaged outer layers of the epidermis. The skin is cleaned with an instrument that uses a double security system, intake / compression microcrystals sterilized. The Microdermabrasion is a surgical technique that allows the surgeon greater flexibility in the determination of abrasive power to remove mechanically the very top layer of skin with the intention of making it more uniform and smooth. The instrument consists of a handpiece that is placed on the skin or the lesion and through a compression system are being bombed and suction-aspirated small micronized particles, which play an abrasive action, precise and focused. This simple technique requires no anesthesia and allows the physician to perform the patient treatment, fast and accurately.
It is also a procedure suitable for all types and colors of skin (including sensitive skin). The duration of treatment varies from an average of 15-30 minutes and it is a viable alternative to chemical peel and to classic dermabrasion which harmonizes and integrates. Microdermabrasion may be included among the treatments for facial rejuvenation and correction of skin irregularities such as acne scars.
For acne scars, the procedure requires approximately 20-30 minutes to treat the whole face. Prior to treatment you should use lightening products to inhibit the formation of melanin and subsequently to the processing sequence, an antibiotic ointment must be used, and also a lotion and a soothing cream in conjunction with a sunscreen with sun block.
Immediately after treatment the skin will appear red and this condition can last for about 10-15 days or more depending on the degree of abrasion and the individual reactivity.
In any case, after the first 7 days, the redness is perfectly disguised.

There are several advantages of this treatment, the almost total absence of pain and anesthesia. Medication after treatment is open and requires no annoying bandages. It ‘also a feasible procedure and it does not break the social life, because you can use the usual make-up already within a few days after treatment.