Before discussing the types of chemical peels, it is wise to address what makes a patient a good candidate for the procedure.  The best candidates are nonsmokers with fair skin and light hair, though skin tone and hair color are not mandatory requirements.  Many patients with varying tones and hair colors achieve excellent results from a chemical face peel.  Another criterion for the procedure is a realistic expectation of the outcome.  Patients expecting results that are not possible will find themselves disappointed and are not considered a good candidate for the procedure.

Generally speaking, there are three types of chemical peels.  A light chemical peel is used for dry patches, acne, uneven skin tone, and very fine wrinkles.  Fruit acids, salicylic acid, and lactic acid are generally used for this type of peel.

A medium facial peel is typically done with trichloroacetic acid and is used for surface wrinkling, pigmentation problems, and superficial blemishes.  The recovery time for these peels is much shorter than with deeper peels.  These peels are also recommended for patients with darker skin tones.

The third type of peel is a deep chemical face peel.  This uses a strong acid, such as phenol acid, and has a longer recovery period than other peels.  Deep peels provide the most dramatic and longest lasting results, but also carry a stronger risk of permanent skin lightening and other side effects.  These peels are used for coarse wrinkles, eliminating precancerous growths, and treating sun damage.

The side effects of chemical face peels vary between patients.  Common effects, such as stinging, crusting, and redness usually subside within a couple of days, longer for patients who undergo deep peels.  Infection and scarring are rare but serious side effects that are more common with medium and deep peels and should always be discussed with a doctor.

The last question most patients ask is about the price of the procedure.  Honestly, however, it varies from doctor to doctor and is different depending on what state you are in.  Light peels are cheaper than deep peels, but anesthesia, hospital time, and the surgeon’s costs always play a factor in pricing, as well as the condition of the skin, making a generalized cost prediction difficult.

The condition is caused by bacteria, overactive oil glands, and excess dead skin within the pores.  The cysts are formed when there is a rupture or break in the wall of the pore.  As the infection seeps into the skin, a membrane forms around it.  The size and pain of the blemish is determined by the depth of the blemish.

Because cystic acne damages skin tissue, it greatly increases the likelihood of developing scars.  Many sufferers are embarrassed by the condition.  The condition can be treated, though finding the right combination of medicines may take some time.  When the condition has disappeared, cosmetic procedures can be done to reduce scarring.

Procedures used to reduce or eliminate acne scars include microdermabrasion, which effectively rubs off the top layers of the skin, exposing the layers beneath.  When the skin has healed, the skin is smoother.  Chemical acid peels are often commonly used.  These use acid to remove top layers of skin.  The acid used depends on the depth of the intended peel.  Deep scars often require heavy peels, which take longer to recover from and have a higher risk of side effects, but the results can be quite dramatic.

Some patients looking to alleviate scarring from cystic acne have fat cells injected beneath the scars.  This will raise the skin to the level of the skin around it.  Yet another procedure involves placing small skin grafts, taken from hidden areas of unscarred skin, and placing them in place of the scarred skin.  The skin is usually taken from behind the ear.

Cystic acne is relatively common, and though it can be embarrassing, it is not permanent.  It is important to understand that the acne is not caused by poor hygiene, and that washing too much to try to alleviate it can damage the skin and make the condition worse.  If you have scars caused by cystic acne, it can prove beneficial to speak with a cosmetic surgeon, who can help you understand the many treatments available to alleviate scarring.  If you feel your appearance or self esteem are impaired by acne scarring, talk with a doctor to see if you might be a good candidate for scar removal or treatment.