Dermabrasion vs. Chemical Peels

[spelmanlocks]

Which is more effective for getting rid of acne scars, preferably back scars? I was getting professional TCA peels, which had pretty good results but had to stop for a while because it was breaking my wallet. Now I've found a place that will do dermabrasion on my back for half the price and the lady claims it is just as good as a chemical peels.

[JLove74]

Peels (I've only ever had lactic acid and glycolic) in conjunction with microdermabrasion works wonders.

Dermabrasion is too harsh for my skin.

[gymfreak336]

I have had more success with chemical peels. I had a tca peel that worked miracles.

[locabouthair]

i heard microdermabrasion shouldnt be done on african americans.

[JLove74]

i heard microdermabrasion shouldnt be done on african americans.

So false, I get it done very month. It's perfectly safe when done properly and by a skilled person.

[locabouthair]

So false, I get it done very month. It's perfectly safe when done properly and by a skilled person.

ok thanks for clearing that up. i read an article where this black woman got micro and she said it ruined her skin and then the article said that it isnt for our skin. i dunno what happened maybe they didnt do it right.

[kandegirl]

My homegirl uses Alpha Hydrox Foot and Problem Area Creme on her back for
spots and they are gone. So I just got mine this weekend, and I"m going to
see how it works. I've been using Walgreens brand but it's not as strong. She said in about a month your back should be clear. And I've been using Fair and White Whitenzer Serum on the spots on my face for a week and they're almost gone.

[spelmanlocks]

i heard microdermabrasion shouldnt be done on african americans.


In the past that might have been true, but now they have many techniques that make it possible for African Americans to get dermabrasion. The spa I'm going to is black owned also, and I assume they've done this procedure on other blacks before me. I just don't know which is more effective the peel or the dermabrasion?

[JLove74]

In the past that might have been true, but now they have many techniques that make it possible for African Americans to get dermabrasion. The spa I'm going to is black owned also, and I assume they've done this procedure on other blacks before me. I just don't know which is more effective the peel or the dermabrasion?

are you going to a medi-spa or spa, spa :lol: ? I ask because the grade of microdermabrasion and strength of chemical peel, is better at a medispa or your dermatologist office. Please do your research wherever you go, but really research if you're going to a spa. Not all esthetician are knowledgable in chemical peels for people of color.

[BabyImaStarr]

Hey JLove... clean out your inbox missy! :lol:

[JLove74]

Hey JLove... clean out your inbox missy! :lol:

It's cleaned out. I apologize. I always forget to empty the sent messages :)

[spelmanlocks]

are you going to a medi-spa or spa, spa :lol: ? I ask because the grade of microdermabrasion and strength of chemical peel, is better at a medispa or your dermatologist office. Please do your research wherever you go, but really research if you're going to a spa. Not all esthetician are knowledgable in chemical peels for people of color.


Thanks for that. It never occured to me to look for a 'medispa'. I did a search and found other spas in my area so I'm going to give them a call tomorrow. I had made my appointment with a dayspa/hair salon. The do all types of stuff. I've gotten TCA peels in the past and while they are good they do cost a lot, which is why I was trying to look into something a bit more cost effective, but something that also will still clear up my back. I may just return to my old esthestician.

[WhipEffectz1]

Umm, I get Microdernabrasion and chemical pills. Let's get something straight right now, Dermabrasion IS TOO HARSH FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN SKIN!. As a matter of fact, most doctors won't even recommend it to people of color. Please do your research on dermabrasion because the doctor might me talking about MICROdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion can be done as well as chemical pills that aren't too harsh. I usually get 3 layered TCA Peels such as Obagi Blue peel, Pumpkin pill. The deeper the peel (layer) the better the result. I didn't see good results until I started getting 3-4 layer peels then my skin was blinging but you have to have the willpower for a 3 layer and I let her put me to sleep for a 4 layer peel. :eek:
Also, when I am beginning to prepare for a peel, my doctor stronly advises that I prep with Retin-A for 4-6 weeks. He said he greatly enhances the outcome which is why I always do it because even if I can't affor the 3-4 later tca peel and get a 1-2 layer peel then after the peeling is gone, I am still able to see a dramatic difference. I hope this helps.

[WhipEffectz1]

Thanks for that. It never occured to me to look for a 'medispa'. I did a search and found other spas in my area so I'm going to give them a call tomorrow. I had made my appointment with a dayspa/hair salon. The do all types of stuff. I've gotten TCA peels in the past and while they are good they do cost a lot, which is why I was trying to look into something a bit more cost effective, but something that also will still clear up my back. I may just return to my old esthestician.

J-Love is correct which is why I too go a medispa or my dermatologist for my peels or micro. When I get facial, I even go to the medispa. I got tired of them massaging my shoulders more than focusing on my face.

[lexi08]

Umm, I get Microdernabrasion and chemical pills. Let's get something straight right now, Dermabrasion IS TOO HARSH FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN SKIN!. As a matter of fact, most doctors won't even recommend it to people of color. Please do your research on dermabrasion because the doctor might me talking about MICROdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion can be done as well as chemical pills that aren't too harsh. I usually get 3 layered TCA Peels such as Obagi Blue peel, Pumpkin pill. The deeper the peel (layer) the better the result. I didn't see good results until I started getting 3-4 layer peels then my skin was blinging but you have to have the willpower for a 3 layer and I let her put me to sleep for a 4 layer peel. :eek:
Also, when I am beginning to prepare for a peel, my doctor stronly advises that I prep with Retin-A for 4-6 weeks. He said he greatly enhances the outcome which is why I always do it because even if I can't affor the 3-4 later tca peel and get a 1-2 layer peel then after the peeling is gone, I am still able to see a dramatic difference. I hope this helps.


I have always gone to a medi-spa for all my facial treatments. But, I have been told the opposite. My aesthetician and derm prefer to do microderms on people of color. I asked her about a peel and she told me that she felt the peels would burn/irritate my skin, especially with higher acid concentration.
I just had microdermabrasion done and my results were excellent. I had no irritation or burning, just super smooth glowing skin (my skin is sensitive also). The dermatologist office and medispa I go to are owned/run by a black female dermatologist.

I have also had another black dermatologist recommend microderm over peels for me.

[spelmanlocks]

Whip were you getting these peels on your back or face? I think she may have suggested dermabrasion since I will be getting this done on my back and not my face??? I know that the skin is a lot thicker on the back than the face, so perhaps it can sustain something harsher. But I will definitely do more research before my appointment. I already had a series of vitalize peels done on my face and I don't want to do anything else to it.

[WhipEffectz1]

Whip were you getting these peels on your back or face? I think she may have suggested dermabrasion since I will be getting this done on my back and not my face??? I know that the skin is a lot thicker on the back than the face, so perhaps it can sustain something harsher. But I will definitely do more research before my appointment. I already had a series of vitalize peels done on my face and I don't want to do anything else to it.

Yea, I get them on my face. I use to try a while ago to get them to do dermabrasion on one of my legs and they were scared because sometimes DERMABRASION produces scarring in people of color. This is the main reason I started gettng peels and microdermabrasion. Something new may have developed since I last researched but be careful and find out all you can about it. So what exactly are you trying to change? the texture, discoloration, .....?

[WhipEffectz1]

I have always gone to a medi-spa for all my facial treatments. But, I have been told the opposite. My aesthetician and derm prefer to do microderms on people of color. I asked her about a peel and she told me that she felt the peels would burn/irritate my skin, especially with higher acid concentration.
I just had microdermabrasion done and my results were excellent. I had no irritation or burning, just super smooth glowing skin (my skin is sensitive also). The dermatologist office and medispa I go to are owned/run by a black female dermatologist.

I have also had another black dermatologist recommend microderm over peels for me.
Yes, and since she is suppose to be trained then she is suppose to know which concentration will be suitable for you (i.e how many layers to apply.) Don't get me wrong, I love microdermabrasion but I only get it for special occasions because it requires that you constantly return for maintence. I think you aesthetician knows that if she gives you a peel them it will be a while before they see you again, especially if it was a deep one. Its so funny because, I had a black dermatologist down here tell my friend that they currently have no lasers gently enough for black skin. I told my friend that was bull and that my derm had told me that there was one. So she researched and found that there was indeed one and she ended up finding a good accredited physician to do it for her. Black peole have been getting peels for years (without looking like Jacko) so tell her to go back to beauty school and learn some knowledge in order to increase her cash flow! :eek: I hope this helps.

[spelmanlocks]

Yea, I get them on my face. I use to try a while ago to get them to do dermabrasion on one of my legs and they were scared because sometimes DERMABRASION produces scarring in people of color. This is the main reason I started gettng peels and microdermabrasion. Something new may have developed since I last researched but be careful and find out all you can about it. So what exactly are you trying to change? the texture, discoloration, .....?

I'm trying to even out the color of my back. I have a lot of blemishes all over my upper back. Also, I used Retin-A on my back and it caused some weird texture to develop on my back ( my derm said I should use it on my back). Hopefully I can find something that will work since summer is approaching and I'd like to be able to wear backless tops at some point.

[WhipEffectz1]

I'm trying to even out the color of my back. I have a lot of blemishes all over my upper back. Also, I used Retin-A on my back and it caused some weird texture to develop on my back ( my derm said I should use it on my back). Hopefully I can find something that will work since summer is approaching and I'd like to be able to wear backless tops at some point.
When I first started using retin-a, I had a weird phase that I went through, pe0ple on some other board call it t "the uglies." You going to break out and your skin won't always look pretty. Now I don't want to get this confused with you being allergic to it. I also went through an ugly phase when I was using Obagi NuDerm. You might want to do a search on that too. The clear and blender(used accordingly with retin-a) are good for discoloration. I am on maintence now.