The Drawbacks of Using Skin Peelers To Treat Acne

Skin peelers are chemical-based treatments that are applied on to the skin to hasten exfoliation or the process of skin shedding. They are used to treat various skin problems – from removing blemishes, wrinkles, and scars to treating acne.

There are actually three types of skin peelers. The first type is the mild exfoliant that can only remove the topmost superficial layer. This is used to even out skin color and remove scars and blemishes. The second type is the medium peel exfoliant, which can remove a deeper layer of the skin. This makes use of a more aggressive combination of chemicals which can result to a slight burning sensation during application. The last type is the deep peel. A deep peel exfoliant is used to treat patients with severe wrinkles and pigmentation problems. It makes use of very strong chemicals to exfoliate a thick layer of the skin.

Many brands claim that skin peelers are the most effective and the fastest-acting solutions to various skin problems, including acne. But the truth is: there are actually a few serious drawbacks to using them.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has received a number of complaints against certain brands because of the damaging side effects to the skin. So before you buy and use any of these products, read on and learn about some of the disadvantages to using skin peelers for acne treatment.

One of the biggest drawbacks to chemical skin peelers are the ingredients used in the product. Skin peelers make use of at least three or more different potent chemical ingredients. Some brands even use substances that should never be in contact with the skin – such as plastic, glycerin and harsh fragrances. There have been many reports of women experiencing first or second degree burns as a result of chemical exfoliation. The scary part about this is that these chemicals do not only stay on the skin, but are actually absorbed into the body.

Skin peelers remove the surface layer of the skin, regardless of its current state. Because of this, the exfoliation process can slough off healthy skin cells as well – which can easily lead to itchiness, redness and irritation.

Exfoliation is actually a natural process in the body. During exfoliation, the body removes dead cells at the outmost layer of the skin to reveal a newer and more radiant surface. This process can take time. Chemical peelers however, force the skin to shed off even when it is not ready yet. Because of this, the entire process can be very painful and excruciating.

Along with the pain, chemical peelers can also result to redness and sometimes, inflammation. Many women who go through exfoliation sometimes skip several days at work or keep themselves indoors because of the redness and the pain.

When skin is pre-maturely exfoliated, it does not fully have all the essential barriers to protect it from UV rays and mechanical damage. Hence, for several days, this layer becomes very vulnerable to a wide variety of factors. Harsh weathers and contact with make-up or any other chemical product can easily lead to serious skin problems.

Remember, acne is primarily caused by bacteria. During the exfoliation process, the chemical ingredients can make your skin defenseless to opportunistic organisms and mechanical damage. Hence, instead of alleviating the condition, exfoliation can possibly lead to further infection.

The worst part of this is that most chemical peelers instruct users to use the exfoliant more often than needed. This can result to even more damage and eventually lead to very serious skin problems.

The number of non-FDA approved skin exfoliating products available in the market today is also a source of concern for health professionals. There are still a lot of women who do not care to find out if the products have been approved by the right authorities or not.

Should women stay away from skin exfoliating products entirely? The best answer would be a yes and a no.

The truth is, there are now a few exfoliating products that are gentler and safer for the skin. These products are designed by medical professionals themselves, where safety is always the top priority. Therefore, it is just a matter of finding these dermatologist-approved brands and using them the right way.

So always follow the golden rule: consult a medical professional when you are planning to use a new product, such as the skin peelers and exfoliants. This way, you can get professional advice on the right product to use and the frequency of the application.