How To Peel Off Acne Scars Without Looking Like Samantha Jones
Have you been like Samantha Jones (below image) in Sex and the City (HBO series) where she goes for a peel before Carrie’s book party & ends up looking as red & raw as a tomato? A couple of weeks back, I followed Samantha’s stylish footsteps (she’s my favourite character btw), except that I went shopping after. Want to know the face I’d when I was doing some retail therapy?
It was my first peel. Believe me, I was apprehensive at first, I couldn’t risk having my face looking like Samantha’s on a Friday, could I?
But like what I’ve heard, one of the best ways to treat outbreaks & remove acne pigmentation is going for a chemical peel. It’s so popular nowadays that almost anyone who has acne has gone for it at least once. I just couldn’t resist trying out.
I stepped into SL Cliniv & was instantly wowed by the sterile & stylish interior. How often do you get chandeliers in an aesthetic centre? I felt like I was in good hands (top criteria for me).
Checking into one of the treatment rooms & was amazed by how huge the place is! Besides 17 treatment rooms (yes, 17!), the whole place consists of a jacuzzi, steam room, hair lab & a lounge! Can you believe it?
My treatment room, which has a heated bed, how thoughtful?
How is Medical Peel done?
If you’re seriously considering getting a peel done, consulting a well-trained certified doctor is absolutely necessary (you’d want someone professional to monitor your progress, right?). For me, I sought SkinLab in-house doctor, Dr Kelvin Chua’s advice. I was relieved that he took time evaluating my skin & asked detailed questions on my skincare regime, diet, exercise, sleep, activities etc.
He told me about my skin pigmentation, oil level of skin & how severly I’m affected by acne (more specifically, grade 4 acne).
Did You Know?
That there are 4 grades of acne?
Grade 1- Blackheads, milia (without inflammation). Commonly seen in adolescence & many people in Singapore. It’s best to treat early before it escalates to Grade 2.
Grade 2- Modearate acne consisting of blackheads, milia & papules (slight inflammation).
Grade 3- Severe acne with more inflammation than Grade 2. Now is the stage whereby the skin is reddened & nodules are present.
Grade 4- The most serious form of acne, is the cystic acne which are painful & leave scars. (Unfortunately, I fall into this category)
Summary- You may be in any of the grades, for example, you’ve ocassional blackheads (Grade 1) + only 1 cystic acne (Grade 4) but you’re still considered Grade 4.
How does Medical Peel work?
It works by exfoliating the dead skin on the epidermis (top layer of the skin) to regenerate new skin cells. In more laymen terms, the more & faster new skin cells our skin turns over, the smoother & younger it looks since the healthy cells are brought to the surface.
For oily skin people like me, you’ll be glad to know that Medical Peel controls the oil glands & dissolves blackheads & whiteheads (which are culprits for breakouts).
Dr Chua also recommended me Differin (oil control gel) as part of my skincare regime, which I bought later on.
How is SkinLab Medical Peel different from other peels?
By using gentle ingredients coupled by slowly increasing the concentration over time, it’s suitable for most people & not as aggressive (dangerous) like other doctors’ chemical peels.
What does SkinLab Medical Peel treat?
Dull skin, uneven skin tone, acne, pigmentation, clogged pores.
The results?
Smoother, brighter, more even skin tone, soften fine lines, minimize pores & reduce hyperpigmentation.
The process?
- Massage
- Double cleansing + toner (A fresh face to prepare for the peel)
- Peel (Light feathering of solution to ensure it goes on smoothly, gently. I could feel a very slight biting sensation which was totally bearable & it was nice to know my therapist was with me all the way, monitoring if my skin reddens. If it does too much, she’ll remove the solution on the reddened area)
- Cold water mask (To calm my face)
- Light extraction (As my blackheads & whiteheads are now more visible & easier to remove after the peel)
- Brow trimming (If applicable. Mine was neat so my therapist told me there’s no need to trim)
- Neck, head massage
- Eye cream + sunscreen
- Massage (Again! I know, I felt so good walking out)
A quiet, private, comforting lounge (with LCD plasma TV) where you can have a moment of your own if you need some time before you step out. Here’s me after the peel:
& this was how I looked after the peel. On my way for some retail therapy. Told you, no frets:
Like you can see from my face in the photo, it’s a gentle & non-invasive peel which left my skin looking more radiant, no burns at all. I know there’s still acne on my face (that’s why I did Medical Peel plus I only tried out once. I was recommended 10 times but this varies from individuals) AND here’s what I noticed when I got home:
- No signs of redness (surprising to know since my face is quite sensitive, so phew!)
- Significantly unclogged pores (I like this part the best, since clogged pores are the culprits of acne)
- Fairer skin tone
- No down time (I was in town the whole time after the peel)
SL Clinic
#04-04 Wheelock Place. Tel: 6235 3246
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Hi! Read that u have tried the laser for scars few months ago. May I know how many percent of improvement did u see for ur scar improvement?? Cos I’m keen but scared no improvement at all since I’m still a student and have been saving for a very long time for these treatment.
hey babe yes there’s significant improvements in it (: i’ve readers emailing me to say theirs have improved too! always happy to hear that!
about the % of improvement for CO2 Fractional Laser, i’d say mine improved quite a bit, about 50%? so much so that all my friends have complimented me on my complexion. so i’m really glad this is one of the best decisions i’ve made. yayy! (: & i hope yours will be good soon too. you can email me too if you like!
hazelhearts@gmail.com
A Skin Care Guide For Large Pores
Unattractive, large pores are a part of many in our lives. Personally, I like my skin care regimen for interrupting the pores in my T-zone pore is ugly. However, just because we are born with less than perfect skin pores and do not say we have to live with her. For a little time and money, and the right skincare products, we can clear our pores and maintaining a healthy-looking face.
First we need to define our needs. Are you on a strict budget? There are skin care specialists can contribute, the miracles, but just right for the price. Luxury facial pores and the masks made of the spa can also be quite expensive. But over the counter, masks and skin care products in the $ 30 range are very effective and affordable.
Secondly, what your skin problems and skin type are you? Are you looking for clear pores? Acne is a problem? Is your skin oily or sensitive? If you are very serious problems, you probably should see a dermatologist, but most will be resolved at home. Once we understand our skin problems, then we are able to pore clearing the best treatment choice.
No matter what your skin type or skin problems, the first step toward clear and healthy skin pore is a simple and inexpensive Facial Cleanser. Wash your face with a mild detergent to remove dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. Make sure to wash your face once or twice daily for best results. You should continue for at least one week before going to the next aggressive step.
After your regular facial cleansing routine is present, we can go with a larger pore-clearing methods. A mask with kaolin or bentonite is clear pores and removes unsightly oil. Effective masks are available for $ 20 per 1 oz or less.
The tone in a mask is a powerful, all-natural absorbent, which effectively removes dirt and oil from pores. You will feel a slight pull on your skin, this is normal. During the regular use of a mask is probably more effective in mild acne, there are masks with extra additives for acne fighting power. Look for ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, sulfur, salicylic acid or peppermint on the label.
If you have sensitive skin, there are masks with soothing additives. Looking for aloe vera, chamomile, lemon balm oil or shea butter. These ingredients are used to moisturize skin and reduce irritation. I recommend purchasing a mask with a number of these additives, even if your skin is not sensitive.
For best results, apply twice a facial pores per week. For most women, the combination of easy to clean and regularly applying the mask enough to promote a healthy, clear complexion.
Hi Hazel,
May I know if you did your medical peel after your laser treatments or in between?
Also, did you notice that your breakouts are less frequent after the peel?
Thanks in adv!
hey dear!
i did this medical peel months after my laser. i don’t think it’s possible to do the peel in btwn as laser is a monthly affair & is pretty aggressive, meaning it’ll leave your skin red/pink so your doctor probably won’t recommend peel + laser within a month.
i only tried this medical peel once so the immediate effect i saw was that my skin was brighter but regarding my breakouts, dr chua mentioned that i’ve to do it more frequently eg. 6times to see the restults.
are you doing laser currently too or seeing any doctor?
Hazel, Thanks for your words of wisdom, and I couldn’t agree more with your comment about using chemical peels to manage acne. I never realized that doing a weekly peel could keep my acne away until I tried it, and now I’m hooked. I’ve been keeping a diary of my progress at http://mychemicalpeel.blogspot.com Thanks again, Kim
Hey Hazel,
Are there any side effect doing thing laser thingy? I am quite skeptical as I have quite bad acne problems. What are the benefits of doing the laser therapy? Pro and cons please.
Thanks, Yuki
hello my dear, i assume youre referring to co2 fractional laser that i did before & also posted on my blog? as this post which youre commenting on is on medical peel (not a laser treatment).
i dont see much side effects of the laser as it is supposed to tighten my pores & make my pitted scars less deep. which ive experienced the positive benefits already. if youve bad acne problems, laser wont be suitable for you as it doesnt treat acne (it treats uneven scars).
itll be good to consult a doctor for severe acne & he/she will probably prescribe oral medications to cure it internally first for a few months & within these few months to apply differin gel or other anti-bacteria topical creams & then to continue externally with topical solutions, medical peel when youre off the medication (: hope this helps!
I have been thinking about this kind of treatment for quite a long time,
I believe this would be of great help. I am still saving for this, and hoping
that this would work well for me.
Sure Sen. Hope you can treat your complexion soon! (:
Hi hazel, may I know how much you were charged per session?
Hi YanLing! I think they’ve different prices for different durations, & maybe even student price. Did it a long time ago, why don’t you call them up? (: good luck!
Hihi, may I know if it sums up to be cheaper if you sign up for a package? Thanks for replying!
Hi Hui! Yes of course! Package will be cheaper dear (:
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts about how to treat scars naturally.
Regards