chemical peels - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about chemical peels or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels refresh the skin by exfoliating the damaged outer layer of the skin. The treatment triggers the healing process in which a new fresh layer of skin emarges.
To achieve best results, we will advise you how to correctly maintain your skin and will recommend the best home care regiment for your specific condition.
"Strength" of chemical peels is determined by
- The type of chemical used - glycolic acid, salicylic acid, Trichloroacetic acid..
- The chemical concetration level - 30%, 35%, etc
- The length of time the peel is applied.
- The amount of solution applied.
The role of chemical peels in the modern cosmetic surgery
- Important element in treatment of acne, skin blemishes, skin elasticity, skin discoloration and fine lines
- New peel technology treats skin discoloration effectively
- Peels are used in combination with laser and microdermabrasion to deliver optimal results
- Laser technology replaces the medium depth and deep peels
Peel/Condition Effectiveness
| Glycolic Acid | Salicylic Acid | TCA Peel | Melanage | Quelage | Gloss | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acne | + | + | +++ | - | - | - |
| Sun Spots | + | + | + | +++ | + | - |
| skin discoloration | + | + | + | +++ | - | - |
| skin texture | + | + | +++ | + | + | + |
| fine wrinkles | + | + | +++ | + | - | - |
| wrinkles | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Melasma | - | - | - | +++ | - | - |
| Rosacea | - | - | - | - | +++ | - |
Peel Comparison
| Glycolic Acid | Salicylic Acid | TCA Peel | Melanage | Quelage | Gloss | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social downtime(*) | 0 days | 0 days | 2-5 days | 2-7 days | 0-2 days | 2-5 days |
| # Treatments | 3-6 | 3-6 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 4-6 | 1-2 |
| cost / treatment | $100 or $500/6 treatments |
$40 | $550 full face, $150 small area |
$850 | $150 | $390 |
Dr. Ringpfeil: "While the chemical peel is among the oldest modalities in cosmetic dermatology, I find it extremely effective in the treatment of acne, skin blemishes, skin discoloration from past breakouts, and fine lines.
New peel technologies offer effective treatment of brown and red skin discoloration. In my opinion, the Melanage peel has revolutionized melasma treatment, and the Quelage peel finally offers a tailored treatment for rosacea, calming redness and irritation in addition to brightening the skin.
Peels are an integral part of a comprehensive treatment plan for skin restoration or rejuvenation. I use them in conjunction with microdermabrasion, light devices and laser treatments to achieve smooth texture, even color and great tone.
We offer CO2 laser treatments that have replaced the more aggressive traditional peels with a potential for scarring or permanent pigment loss such as phenol peels or high concentration of TCA peels. CO2 laser and fractional CO2 laser deliver superior and consistent results by targeting the skin with much higher level of precision. "
Franziska Ringpfeil, MD, board certified dermatologist
Chemical Peel Benefits
- improves skin texture
- evens skin pigmentation
- adds glow to the skin
- corrects superficial blemishes
- corrects fine lines
- quick, safe
Chemical Peel Benefits
- acne
- age spots
- melasma
- pseudofolliculitis barbae
- rosacea
- sun spots
I would like to consult you for my problem but am not sure whether it qualifies as cosmetic or general dermatology. I am a medium brown African American woman and have the remains of a chemical burn on my forehead. This was caused by a Clinique toner. However, the burn is not superficial and initially the whole forehead was black and the texture of tree bark. I have used a glycolic acid scrub and the
Pigmentary changes can be very disturbing especially when they are located in visible areas. I am glad to hear that you take sun protection to this area seriously – this is the mainstay of pigment control. To date there is no laser that reduces post inflammatory hyperpigmentation perfectly and I have to agree with the recommendation you received from your previous dermatologist to continue with peels. Other options may include microdermabrasion or newer fading agents that are not in the Kligman formula. A combination is often more successful than just a single ingredient and these are likely to work better on the darker areas than on the lighter areas. I suggest you book a consultation with me to work out a plan.
Hello, my husband is 39 years old and has a lot of scars from untreated adolescent acne, would the chemical peel help his skin in anyway?
There are 2 chemical peels that help with acne scarring. A series of glycolic acid peel every 4 weeks will help improve the texture of the skin overall, yet it does not eradicate scars. Maintenance every 6 months to one year is recommended. It can be performed on all skin colors and types and is most suitable when shallow scars and uneven texture predominate. More prominent scars can be treated with a TCA peel. Maintenance of effects requires TCA peels every 2-5 years. This peel is limited to those with fairer skin. Deep acne scars may need more aggressive treatment, such as CO2 laser technology.
hello,I would like to consult you for my problem my wedding after 1 month and i have scars from acne at my back how can i remove it and it is one month enough time to make peeling and get a good result
thank you
If you have dark marks on your back from acne (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation), you may consider Melanage peel for fast reduction. There will be significant improvement in the discoloration 4 weeks after Melanage peel.
A series of 6-8 glycolic acid peels to the back every 4 weeks can also reduce post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. True scars (depressed or elevated) can be treated by laser. This process can take a few months.
I am a dark skin women that have acne scars that i would like to inprove i need a doctor that would do a med to deep peel on my face i am getting wedding soon and just for once i want to enjoy myself and not worry about is my acne scars showing can you help i have try mic,light peel,facials and alot of different creams that just dont work pls can you help.
Your quest for even colored skin is very understandable. If discoloration is your main concern, Melanage peel is the perfect treatment. It is colorblind, which means that it is safe for all skin colors, and it effectively restores your natural skin pigmentation. Most of the time, one treatment delivers desired results. If texture (indentation) is the main concern, laser treatments are best. Safe laser treatments for dark skin is available that will improve skin texture. Most of the time, several treatments (3-6) are needed for significant improvement. Many times, the combination of several treatments delivers best results.
i have concern age spot /dark spot appearing more and more o my cheeks,temple area light to dark that other people noticed it..what should i do
Dark/age/sun spots on the face occur because of lifelong light and sunlight exposure. Please wear sunscreen daily. When exposed to the sun for longer periods of time, wear a hat with a 4 inch brim and a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher and reapply every 2 hours. When only briefly exposed, wear a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher daily. Wearing sunscreen is particularly important if treatment is desired.
Lasers, peels and fading creams can treat these brown spots. Lasers and peels must be customized to you skin color. If you have unopposed sun exposure after treatment or are not diligent about sunscreen use, these spots will return and new ones may form.
I have been lightening my body for about 4 years now and still have not reached my goal. Do you perform peels/laser treatments for lighter skin complexions.( Like the celebrities in hollywood eg. Beyonce & Rhian)na
Our office performs a number of different treatments for lighter and more even complexion in target areas such as the face, on neck, chest arms or legs, but we do not offer full body bleaching because of its significant health risks.
I am an African woman with brown skin. I developed melasma years ago after the birth of my child. Over the years I’ve tried to fade it with drug store fading creams to no effect. Eventually I saw a dematologies who prescribed TRILUMA. This worked for a while until summertime when, despite my use of sunscreen, I developed a horrible hyperpigmentation worse than the melasma I had to start with. As a result I fear any treatment that involves hydroquinon. I’ve been reading about chemical peels, especially melanage. Could this be a possible treatment and hope for my problem?
Melanage peel is very powerful because it contains a potent retinoid that facilitates the entry of the fading agent arbutase. Arbutase is a natural fading agent with structural similarities to hydroquinone and if you truly had a paradoxical effect with hydroquinone, I would be careful with a related compound. You may want to consider a different fading regimen with unrelated agents such as Kojic acid, perhaps paired with Perle, glycolic acid and vitamion C and regular microdermabrasion treatments.
Hi Doctor,
I wanted to know if a series of light chemical peels can get rid of pih in african americans? Thank you.
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a complex process that takes time to resolve. Chemical peels help significantly along the way.
Greeting Dr.,
I was curious to know if a series of light chemical peels can get rid of pih in blacks?
Thanks.
A series of light chemical peels can improve post inflammatory hyperpigmentation in all skin tones, including black skin.
Hi Dr. Ringpfeil,
I’ve been dealing with moderate acne for a while now. I have minor scabbing from picking at acne and some pih. I was curious to know if a chemical peel will get rid of the scabs and also the pih? I’m african american btw. Thanks.
A series of glycloic acid peel or microdermabrasion treatments will help with acne, scabbing and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and will be safe on you skin.