Skin Peels (DCL Glycolic acid)?

I have some acne scarring and my clinician has advised a course of Glyclic Acid treatment. My skin is also congested and ageing.


Has anyone tried it and would you recmmend it, as I don't want to end up with more scarring etc. Also, if you can recommend a clinic in Birmingham, UK or, in London.Skin Peels (DCL Glycolic acid)?
i would ask about dermabrasion first. see all info below.


http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_edu鈥?/a>





If you're considering a skin-refinishing treatment...





Dermabrasion and dermaplaning help to ';refinish'; the skin's top layers through a method of controlled surgical scraping. The treatments soften the sharp edges of surface irregularities, giving the skin a smoother appearance.





Dermabrasion is most often used to improve the look of facial skin left scarred by accidents or previous surgery, or to smooth out fine facial wrinkles, such as those around the mouth. It's also sometimes used to remove the pre-cancerous growths called keratoses. Dermaplaning is commonly used to treat deep acne scars.





Both dermabrasion and dermaplaning can be performed on small areas of skin or on the entire face. They can be used alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as facelift, scar removal or revision, or chemical peel.





If you're considering surgery to refinish the skin, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please ask your doctor about anything you don't understand.





CONSIDERING ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES





If you're planning ';surface repairs'; on your face, you may also be considering chemical peel, an alternative method of surgically removing the top layer of skin. However, dermabrasion and dermaplaning use surgical instruments to remove the affected skin layers, while chemical peel uses a caustic solution.





Many plastic surgeons perform all three procedures, selecting one or a combination of procedures to suit the individual patient and the problem. Others prefer one technique for all surface repairs. In general, chemical peel is used more often to treat fine wrinkles, and dermabrasion and dermaplaning for deeper imperfections such as acne scars. A non-chemical approach may also be preferred for individuals with slightly darker skin, especially when treating limited areas of the face, since dermabrasion and dermaplaning are less likely to produce extreme changes and contrasts in skin color.





If you'd like more information on chemical peel, ask your plastic surgeon for the ASPS brochure on that topic.





THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR DERMABRASION





Dermabrasion and dermaplaning can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but neither treatment will remove all scars and flaws or prevent aging. Before you decide to have a skin-refinishing treatment, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.





Men and women of all ages, from young people to older adults, can benefit from dermabrasion and dermaplaning. Although older people heal more slowly, more important factors are your skin type, coloring, and medical history. For example, black skin, Asian skin, and other dark complexions may become permanently discolored or blotchy after a skin-refinishing treatment. People who develop allergic rashes or other skin reactions, or who get frequent fever blisters or cold sores, may experience a flare-up. If you have freckles, they may disappear in the treated area.





In addition, most surgeons won't perform treatment during the active stages of acne because of a greater risk of infection. The same may be true if you've had radiation treatments, a bad skin burn, or a previous chemical peel.








Light peeling is a chemical treatment designed to remove superficial layers of the skin. It is used to help ';dry out'; active acne, to reduce shallow wrinkles and scarring and in some cases to lighten hyperpigmented spots.





Before the solution is applied, your skin is cleansed with alcohol then acetone. It would be helpful if you do not wear any face make up on the day of your office visit.





The solution is applied with a feather brush by our nurse. Because the solution is a combination of mild acids, some stinging usually occurs upon application. After application of the solution, your face may have white colored areas called frosting. This shows that the solution is working and usually fades within 15-30 minutes. YOUR FACE MAY APPEAR SLIGHTLY REDDER THAN USUAL FOR SOME TIME AFTER THE TREATMENT.





In most cases, peeling usually occurs between the second and fifth day following a peel. Your skin may appear very dry after treatment and some small cracks may develop. The doctor recommends a non-drying cleanser such as DOVE, NUTROGENA, OR DML. You may apply makeup as usual and also a good moisturizer lotion like cetaphil, Lubriderm, or DML. In general the peeled areas will appear mildly or moderately sunburned.





As you continue with light peel treatments, they will be spaced 2-3 weeks apart. The number of treatments required for any given problem varies with each individual person, and is determined by the physician. The number of coats of solution will vary depending on skin type.





There is no limit on the number of peels a person can receive as long as improvement continues.





You may continue to wear make up following light peeling treatments. YOU SHOULD CONTINUE USING ORAL MEDICATION, BUT TOPICALS SUCH AS retin a OR glyclic acid should not be applied for one week.





The above information describes light chemical peeling using a combination of weak acids and is primarily used as an adjunct to the anti-aging effects of RETIN A .For acne patients your doctor may recommend a different type of light chemical treatment which utilizes a weak organic called alph hydroxyl acid. In our practice, GLYCOLIC ACID is the one used. This procedure rids pores of their plugs, comedones, and unroofs pustules. Its effect is to hasten appearance improvement in patients with acne and have found it works well. The use of glycolic acids peeling is somewhat new, but references to it are beginning to appear rather frequently in magazines. We are pleased to have been among the pioneers in the USA in making the technique available to our complexion patients. Frequently, our patients with sun damaged skin have begun glycolic acid treatment before the stronger peels described above are addedSkin Peels (DCL Glycolic acid)?
Glycolic peels are quite harsh. I have similar problems (scarring and pigmentation left over from when I was a Teen). I've had an ICP peel, which has been most effective with my acne marks. I'd recommend it, and you'll heal within a week.
I have tried one of the home kits and would not recommend it.





I followed the instructions to the letter and was left with a very sore and red face for nearly a weeks.





I am sure if you have it done professionally then it will be fine.





Good luck
Glycolic Acid is widely used and has good benefits for the skin, a chemical exfoliant providing it is not used at too high a %. I would personally recomend an less exfoliative method such as a microdermabrasion cream or glycolic pads, wipes or even a cleanser with circa 10% glycolic acid and have this as part of a daily skin care regime. Continuous non excessive exfoliation will help remove dead skin cells, increase cellular turnover and will reduce the appearance of scarring, although this will take some time 6 months plus. This would be better than a quick, invasive fix that could leave the skin red and dry for a period of time. Microdermabrasion treatments are good and do deliver results but again you would need a course of between 10 - 20 and also should continue with them as part of a good regime to keep skin is its optimum condition, down side - cost, circa 拢55 per treatment, visiting the salon and potential redness for a few hours afterwards.