Acne Chemical Peels At A Glance
- Best Results2-6 treatments
- Treatment Recovery0-3 days
- Procedure Time10 min
- Skin SpecialistDermal therapist, nurse
- Duration of ResultsVariable
- AnaestheticNil required
- Back to WorkImmediately to 1 day
- Cost$
Acne Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are used to treat various forms of acne. Most commonly alpha or beta-hydroxy acids are used. Chemical peels work best in combination with topical treatments, tablets & a skin care regime to optimise the improvement of acne. Our team at Cutis Dermatology can tailor a chemical peel program based upon your acne & skin type to help improve your complexion and texture.
Acne assessments by our dermatologists, nurses & therapists, a chemical peel starts at $120! No referrals are required for chemical peels.
FactsFacts on chemical peels for acne
- Alpha-hydroxy acids (eg. glycolic acid), beta-hydroxy acids (eg. salicylic acid) & retinoid (eg. tretinoin) peels are best for acne
- Treatments are light (superficial) with little no downtime.
- Beta Hydroxy acid peels are ideal for blackheads, whilst AHA peels are better suited for acne associated with mild scarring
- Chemical peels can improve acne, remove blackheads & congestion
- Treatments start from just $120
- You do not need a referral for chemical peels
- Depending on your skin type, we recommend a particular type and concentration of chemical peel
How do chemical peels treat acne?
Acne Chemical Peels
Chemical peels work in 3 ways to help improve acne
- Exfoliate the skin surface.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Decrease bacteria involved in acne, Propionibacterium acnes.
3 sessions of chemical peels
Dr Davin S. Lim
What types of acne respond best to chemical peel?
- Comedonal acne (“black-heads” and “white-heads”).
- Inflammatory pimples & cysts – salicylic acid peels are particularly useful in this setting.
4 chemical peels combined with Vitamin A creams.
Dr Davin S. Lim
Chemical peels can be extremely effective for treating blackheads
3 peels
Dr Davin S. Lim
How do we perform acne chemical peels?
At your consultation, your dermatologist will prescribe a customised programme with the appropriate agent and concentration of peel for your skin type and sensitivity. A therapist or nurse will remove your make up & prepare your face with acetone for the chemical peel.
The agent is applied to the skin with a gauze applicator.
If glycolic acid is used, it is neutralised on the skin by the application of water. Salicylic acid or tretinoin peels do not need to be neutralised.
The whole process takes about 10-15 minutes.
Are there any side effects from chemical peels?
- Mild discomfort in the form of tingling or burning – generally well tolerated, subsides rapidly once peel ends.
- Redness/swelling – typically less than 12 hours, sometimes slightly longer.
- Peeling – usually gentle flaking for a few days after the peel. Your dermatologist will recommend the right moisturiser to reduce this.
- Pigment changes – especially for darker skin types, your dermatologist may put you on a fading agent and recommend lower concentration peels to reduce this risk.
- Scarring – extremely small risk when done properly, under specialist care with superficial peels – picking scabs may however result in this.
What is the recovery period from acne chemical peels?
Superficial chemical peels performed for acne do not incur any “down-time”
Patients can return to work or school the next day. Sun avoidance is important, especially for the first few days after the peel, but cautious return with hat and sunscreen is often sufficient. VitA peels or vitamin A peels consists of tretinoin between 1-5%. This concentration is about 1000 X stronger then over the counter retinol. Most patients experience delayed peeling over 2 to 4 days.
Chemical peels are repeated every 2-4 weeks.
View our Treatment Gallery
Why is Cutis Clinic different from other clinics who perform chemical peels?
We are a clinic run by specialist dermatologists, with a subspecialty interest & experience in peels. In fact we have over 15 combinations ranging from AHAs, BHA, compounded Jessner peels, retinoic acid, TCA & even deep peels including Hatter formulation phenol-croton oil peels.
Disclaimer: My work is procedural, conditions including acne are medical. I do perform peels, however my peels are medium to deep combinations of Jessner, TCA or phenol. Downtime ranges from 8 to 21 days, cost range from $2990 to $5990 for deep peels.
Can chemical peels treat acne scars?
The alpha/beta-hydroxy acid peels used for acne will provide some improvement for mild acne scarring. For more severe scarring, once your acne has been cured by your dermatologists, stronger TCA peels and TCA CROSS or Paint procedures can be employed. The concentration is based on scar & skin type.
For severe cases of acne scarring I perform this procedure. More mild to moderate cases of ice pick scarring or enlarged pores, my nurses perform this procedure.
Acne a complex interplay of genetics & extrinsic factors, can’t control much non-pharmacologically bar diet & lifestyle
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🍧Diet: I am quite surprised by how much of an impact diet makes, but unlike a weight loss diet, an anti acne diet is hard to follow, it means a total elimination of flares such as dairy, sugar, hormonal fed produce & refined foods. With caloric restriction, you can have cheat days, or make it up by burning more calories, you can’t do that with an acne free diet. Kudos for the motivated, it’s such a discipline 👊🏻
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane🇦🇺
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#dermatology #skincare # #drdavinlim #davinlim #brisbanedermatologist #acne #acnediet #acetips #acnecure #acneremedy #naturalacneremedy #pimples #acnefree #acneskincaretips
Not a complete list, but my most ‘prescribed’ in the context of cosmetics/aesthetic dermatology
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🔬A dermatologist ‘A’ list to #getshitdone goes something like: Corticosteroids, emollients,( petrolatum, glycerin), tacrolimus, 5 fluorouracil, #retinoids, terbinafine, crude coal tar, LPC /liquor picis carbonis, metronidazole, ivermectin, salicylic, lactic acids and more. You won’t find fluffy niacinamide, caffeine or botanical extracts in our daily prescribing habits. Ginseng, herbs & niacinamide ain’t going to fix your acne or skin inflammation
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👉Commercial skin care: caters for the joy of self-care, it’s fun. Nothing wrong with aloe vera, tea tree oil & plant extracts- just as long as you don’t get allergic contact dermatitis from it
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👍🏻Exceptions: Yes, I do prescribe fluffy stuff such as licorice root extracts, arbutin, bearberry extracts, citric acid, retinol & hydroxypinacolone retinoate, but that is mainly during the ‘cycling off phase’ for more potent topical applications. Fluff is still useful in some situations, even if it has a placebo effect💯
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane🇦🇺
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#drdavinlim #davinlim #dermatologist #brisbanedermatology #hyaluronicacid #skincare
#bestskincare #skincaretips #skincarescience #skincareingredients #retinol #vitaminc #niacinamide
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Disclaimer: My work is entirely procedural (I cut, lase, do deep peels, & inject), for skincare advice please consult your dermatologist or skincare expert
Retinoids are one of the most widely prescribed drugs for treating skin conditions. Uses include acne & anti aging all the way to genetic disorders of cell turnover
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🔬Skin science: Retinoids exert their power through interactions with retinoid receptors known as RAR or retinoic acid receptors. In the skin, gamma is the most prevalent, hence why I have changed my prescription habits & favor a fourth generation retinoid called trifarotene (gamma specific retinoid)
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👍🏻Tips: start with an OTC formulation. Retinol 0.5-1% is a good starting point. From there understand your skin’s threshold & know how to modulate & optimise topicals 💯
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📖My practice: I prescribe topical retinoids to a small minority of patients (in the context of anti-aging), usually post laser or deep chemical peels. Your dermatologist may have a different algorithm. Prescription retinoids are tricker to use cf OTC, but with a sensible approach, most people will work it out. More on how to use in next week's post
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane🇦🇺
#retinoids #retinol #skinscience #skincarecommunity #retinoicacid #skincaretips #drdavinlim #dermatologistbrisbane
The majority of acne cases do not require intervention by a dermatologist. This algorithm will guide you as to what OTC topicals are best for your type of acne. You can find products @theformulated
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👊The algorithm: is based on probability not possibility. It is not a substitute for real time consultation & physical examination. Branching history algorithms can provide more time for dermatologists to concentrate on appropriate treatments. Go to STORIES, swipe up to start💯
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🙏🏼Give me feedback as I need to iron out the bugs
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🎬Action: For non-pharma acne management see my team @cliniccutis, alternatively
my colleagues can review your acne & provide effective solutions
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😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane🇦🇺
@cliniccutis
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#acne #zits #pimples #acnediet #acnetips #acnefree #dermatologist #drdavinlim #davinlim #acnetreatment #acnecommunity #acneawareness #acnetreatments #acnecure #freethepimple #acnescars #acnemanagement #acnesolutions
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Disclaimer: I do not see cases of acne, my work is procedural not medical
Can chemical peels be combined with other acne treatments?
In some cases your specialist dermatologist will also prescribe you a Vitamin A cream in conjunction with your peel program. This cream, in conjunction with chemical peels, is designed to help prevent acne & blackheads.
If your acne is severe, we may prescribe you a short course of antibiotics or anti-hormone treatments (in females).
How do we combine phototherapy with peels?
This combination program uses the latest in PHOTOTHERAPY & chemical peels. This program is suited for mild to moderate cases of acne.
Ideal candidates for this program include whitehead and blackhead acne, and patients with very mild, early scarring. Patients can book directly into this program without assessment by a dermatologist.
What are the costs of chemical peels for acne?
- $120 per standard peel, repeated every 2-3 weeks (2-5 peels generally recommended).
- Vita or Tretinoin peels start at $120
- TCA PAINT or CROSS with clinical nurses range from $490 to $690
How do I make a booking for acne chemical peels?
You do not need to see a dermatologist to enter our chemical peel program. Call Cutis Dermatology to make a booking or ask about chemical peels.
A great starting point is to have your acne assessed and managed through our expert clinical team.
How do I make a booking for acne chemical peels?
You do not need to see a dermatologist to enter our chemical peel program. Call Cutis Dermatology to make a booking or ask about chemical peels.
A great starting point is to have your acne assessed and managed through our expert clinical team.
Davin’s Viewpoint on chemical peels for acne
Salicylic acid and glycolic acid peels are an excellent and integral part of the combination approach towards treating acne. A good routine is to use it fortnightly in combination with home creams & antibiotic tablets. For acne or for patients not suitable for isotretinoin, the combination of retinoic acid peels with LED red light treatment can give another avenue for significant improvement with minimal down-time.
Our Specialist Nurses can assess your suitability of chemical peels, and will tailor an individual peel program based upon your skin type and acne.
Disclaimer: I do NOT teat acne, in the context of peels, I perform medium to deep peeling including Jessner TCA & phenol croton oil only.
