How Long After Accutane Can You Get a Chemical Peel
Chemical peels are a popular and effective way to improve skin health and combat the signs of aging. As we grow older, our skin can become dull, rough, and discolored, making us look older than we feel. Chemical peels can help with a variety of skin issues, including age spots, uneven texture, acne, hyperpigmentation, and aging symptoms brought on by sun damage or blemishes.
One of the key benefits of chemical peels is their ability to increase skin cell turnover rate, which essentially brings new, fresh skin cells to the surface. This can help to rejuvenate the skin, leaving it looking smoother, softer, and more youthful. Chemical peels can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, as well as clear up breakouts and blemishes.
One popular chemical peel solution that is highly recommended is a formula that combines nourishing ingredients, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol. These ingredients work together to gently exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover, resulting in a more radiant complexion. This type of chemical peel is suitable for most skin types and can produce dramatic results with regular use.
Can You Get a Chemical Peel After Taking Accutane? How Long Does It Take?
Benefits of a Chemical Peel include:
- Improve skin color, clarity, tone and texture
- Stimulate new collagen and healthy skin cell growth, resulting in a radiant complexion
- reduce sun-related discoloration.
- Help to clear up breakouts
- Smooth away the look of fine lines and wrinkles
- Increased hydration of the skin
- Address visible skin imperfections, acne scars, and deeper scars
- Enable skincare products used at home to be more effective because a peel can remove several layers of skin build-up and congestion, allowing products to penetrate deeper into the skin
Skin Looks Worse After Chemical Peel
| Contra-Indications for Chemical Peel |
|---|
| If you are lactating, pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, you can NOT receive a chemical peel. |
| If you are taking doctor-prescribed acne medication (e.g., Isotretinoin, Accutane), discontinue use for at least 6 months prior. |
| If using prescribed exfoliants (e.g., Retin-A®, Renova®, Differin®, Tazorac®, Avage®, high percentage Glycolic Acid), discontinue for approximately 10 days prior. |
| Consult your physician before discontinuing any prescription medication. |
| If you have active herpes simplex (cold sores) on the treatment area, you can NOT receive a chemical peel. |
| If you have sun “allergies”, you can NOT receive a chemical peel unless cleared by Dr. Chow. |
| If allergic to aspirin, you can NOT receive a chemical peel. |
| If you have had any prior adverse reaction to a skin peel, you can NOT receive a chemical peel. |
| If you had recent radiation treatment for cancer, you can NOT receive a chemical peel. |
| If you have had sunburn, significant sun exposure, or wind-burn within the last 2 weeks, you can NOT receive a chemical peel. |
| If you have had surgery within the last month in the area to be peeled, you can NOT receive a chemical peel. |
| If currently using antibiotics (which may cause skin to be ultra-sensitive), you can NOT receive a chemical peel. |
| If you have waxed your face, wait at least 72 hours before receiving a chemical peel. |
| If using a chemical depilatory treatment, wait a week prior to receiving a chemical peel. |
| If you have received a cosmetic or resurfacing skin procedure (e.g., laser or chemical treatment), wait 2 weeks prior. |
| If you have received Botox® or another injectable procedure, wait 2 weeks prior to receiving a chemical peel. |
| Recovery Information |
|---|
| Never pick or pull shedding skin; allow it to naturally slough off. |
| Do not apply any medications not recommended by your esthetician, including AHA products. |
| Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 2 weeks to prevent hyperpigmentation. |
| Always wear sunscreen (minimum SPF 30) to minimize possible sun damage. |
| Keep treated area moisturized with a slightly thicker moisturizer during the peeling process. |
| Let the skin stabilize and rest overnight; mineral makeup can be applied if necessary. |
| Do NOT go to a tanning booth for at least three weeks before or after treatment. |
| Discontinue use of Retin-A®/Renova® or Differin® for seven days after treatment. |
| Do not have electrolysis, collagen injections, Botox, threading, or facial waxing for approximately seven days after treatment. |
| Do NOT apply ice or ice water to treated areas. |
| Do NOT participate in activities that cause excessive perspiration; stay cool! |
| Do NOT go swimming for a week. |
| Do NOT have any electrolysis, collagen, Botox®, or other dermal filler injections for a week. |
| Do NOT have any facial waxing or use depilatories for a week after treatment. |
| Alternative Treatments Before Accutane |
|---|
| 1. Retinol topical/Vitamin A: Helps treat acne; available in various forms (toners, gels, creams). |
| 2. HydraFacial: Cleanses, extracts, and hydrates skin; shows results within thirty minutes. |
| 3. Chemical Peels: Speed up cell turnover; effective for acne, discoloration, and signs of aging. |
| 4. Detox Add-ons at Kalologie: Clarifying facials and detox treatments for acne-prone skin. |
Can You Do A Chemical Peel While On Accutane
Now that you’ve started your Accutane acne treatment and your breakouts have ceased, you may be wondering what can be done for the scarring and residual skin discoloration that is left behind? Many patients who have used Accutane, or Isotretinoin, for acne treatment, know all too well the embarrassment and frustration of years of ineffective treatments. “The relief and optimism patients feel from having clear skin, sometimes for the first time in years, is really incredible,” says Dr. Miriam Hanson, board certified dermatologist and cosmetic expert in Austin, Texas. “They often feel ready to take more steps in improving and perfecting their complexion.” These steps usually include eliminating scarring and smoothing a pitted and pock-marked skin surface.
Laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels are very effective in renewing the skin surface, resulting in a smoother, more evenly toned complexion. But there’s an important question patients should ask: Can I do chemical peels or lasers after Accutane? And if so, when?
First, it is important to understand the nature of the changes that take place in your skin while taking Isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is a derivative of vitamin A. Dr. Hanson explains that taking isotretinoin orally reduces the amount of sebum that your pores produce, alters how the skin differentiates and turns over, and stops the growth of the P. acnes acne-causing bacteria. A side effect during and immediately following treatment is that it renders your skin dry, more fragile and susceptible to scarring. Therefore, harsh products and/or treatments that could potentially damage the skin should be avoided during treatment and for a period of time after stopping therapy.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery states that it is not recommended to have chemical peels within 6 months of being treated with Accutane. As well, the US National Library of Medicine, advises that patients should plan to avoid laser skin treatments, and dermabrasion (surgical smoothing of the skin) while taking isotretinoin and for 6 months after treatment. “It’s generally felt that Isotretinoin increases the risk of developing scars from these treatments.”
In summary, yes, you can have chemical peels and lasers after Accutane, if it has been more than 6 months. The best approach is to consult one of the experienced dermatologists at Sanova Dermatology, get an assessment and individualized recommendations on what treatments would best work for your skin type, and ensure that your plan to achieve a fresh and smooth complexion is safe and effective.
