Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Chemical Peels, or Acid Peels are widely used to treat many skin conditions. It can help you even out the skin tone, remove melasma (dark spots) or acne scars (or at least make them less prominent). The skin peels also remove dead cells layer and stimulate collagen production to improve skin’s texture and appearance. Out of all of the peels and medications I have used (glycolics, lactic acid, salicylic, Obagi, TCA, Cosmelan 1 and 2, Retin A, Retin A Micro, and Azealic acid)—I prefer Cosmelan and Avene retrinal 0.05%.

There are many over the counter skin peel products that can be useful and may work a magic for you. There are no two skin types alike and something that didn’t work for me may do a wonderful job for you.

I also prefer using just the Cosmelan 2 as a skin freshener. I use Cosmelan 2 on its own occasionally when I don’t feel like going through a full peel. Using the old Cosmelan 2 formula (with the higher pH) still gets you nice and red, which lasts about three days, and seems to make a difference in my overall skin clarity after it clears up. You do flake a bit, although not as thoroughly, of course, as if I had had the full Cosmelan peel. The full Cosmelan Peel or also refered as “Cosmelan 1” can be performed only in doctor’s office or in MedSpa.  Cosmelan 2 is available for purchase on selected sites, do your own research.

I also like to use Cosmelan 2 after a break-out because it helps dry up the remaining acne and also lessens the appearance of the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentations. It is worth being red for 3 days.

The Avene retrinal 0.05% is nice as a daily treatment, or if you prefer, every other day. You can flake, but I have not had that problem.