Chemical Peel or Dermabrasion, Anyone?

[honeychile]

I have a friend who is graduating as an anesthetist, and before she does, she's offering both dermabrasion and chemical peels.

I was the girl in high school with the perpetually perfect skin - I once moaned to my parents that I had eight zits at the same time, and they laughed at me! Within the past couple of years, though, I've developed adult acne (paybacks, I guess) and I really don't know how to handle it. So, I'm torn between ProActive and having one of the above procedures done - or born. FWIW, my mother had beautiful skin, and I seem to have lucked into the same type. My biggest problem is blackheads.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[ADPiEE]

my skin is like that and I love the Brazillian Peel (I get it at Sephora) so maybe a professional one would be even better?

[Splash]

From my knowledge (and please someone correct me if I'm wrong) but dermabrasion and chemical peels are both forms of deep exfoliation by removing the top layers of skin, eliminating dead skin cells. This could really eliminate a lot of debris and clear out the pores, which would help acne, theoretically.

I think ProActiv is salicylic acid which helps tremendously with acne by drying out the pimples.

I have issues with blackheads too and though I can get rid of some myself, the best (and really only effective way I know) way to get of them is the extractions part during a facial.

If you want to get rid of acne use this:
http://www.amazon.com/ANSR-Beam-Char.../dp/B0030ZRQQ8

The blue light kills the bacteria instead of drying out the blemish in which the bacteria will be back in a week.

In terms of which you should pick, I would ask a professional to make a suggestion based on your skin type, aka your friend.

I'm NOT an esthetician, so if anything I've said is incorrect, please let me know.

[IndianaSigKap]

I was having minor adult break outs and I switched to the philosophy clear days ahead face wash gel, moisturizer AM and face pads PM. I also get microdermabrasion about every 4-6 weeks. No more break outs.

[AnchorAlumna]

For cryin' out loud, before you flail at your skin with whatever, go see a dermatologist first!

Husband had severe acne (like, cysts on his face and back) during his teen years, so I expected our son to have it , too. He did...I got him the Proactive stuff and it made the acne worse.

Dermatologist prescribed an OTC soap and a prescription ointment (which mostly just dried out his skin) and a low-dosage antibiotic. That helped, and time did the rest.

Husband had an early cryogenic peel (like 1973-74). It was amazing how it removed scars, but it was really not a good thing too do - too strong at the time, like 3rd degree burns.

[honeychile]

Okay, officially scared now! I'm very fair (red hair, freckles, easily sunburned), and was wondering if either would be fine with me. I did ask my dermatologist a year ago, and she basically said that I knew the dangers (I still don't!), and reminded me that I've already had skin cancer once - NOT a huge help!

If I do this, it will be next week, as I don't want to go into the sun at all after doing this. Do any of these remove those fine lines better than the other? I'm sick to death of looking in the mirror and thinking, "who is that?!"

[AnchorAlumna]

Oh honeychile, DEFINITELY ask your dermatologist!

[KillarneyRose]

Honey, I think you mean "microdermabrasion", not "dermabrasion". BIG difference! The former is done by an aesthetian (sp?) with minimal downtime and the latter is done by an MD and the patient looks like a hunk of ground beef for a week.

That said, I agree with AnchorAlumna that you're best going to an MD. You only have one face, afterall!

[honeychile]

I think you're all right! I'm so flipping sick of the changes on my face that I jumped at the chance to possibly take care of all of them at the same time!

[aggieAXO]

I am also a red head with very fair/ sensitive skin. I have had chemical peels before done by my dermatologist- these were about 15 years ago. My skin looked awful for a good 7 to 10 days, so bad I did not leave the house except to work. I don't think it really helped. I think they have gentler peels now but I would have a detmatologist do the peel. I also have had fraxel done - I don't recommend this for fair skin type- I think it made my skin worse.

[OHNOITSJESS]

I do glycolic and lactic acid peels for my acne scarring weekly (alternating, I have it done by an aesthetician, but my derm recommended it). Usually the derm will give you your first peel free or at a reduced price to see if you want to continue treatment and to watch for any side effects.

[madoug]

Honeychile, wishing you the best which ever option you pursue!
thank you posting you question, I have found the replies very educational.