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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Microdermabrasion And Chemical Peels Kill The Acne Causing Bacteria And Help The Skin To Absorb The Creams Faster?

I have hormonal acne sometimes moderate or mild acne, I guess it depends on how my skin decides to act. When I get breakouts, I of course only get nodular acne and blackheads, it could never be just a regular pimple. Right now I am currently taking 50 mg of Spironlactone once a day. I'm thinking about trying out the Retin A 0.05%. I know Retin A is supposed to make your skin get worse before it gets better and you won't see results or improvement in 6-9 weeks. But I also get both microdermabrasions and chemical peels done in one appointment every 2 weeks. So I'm wondering if I continue to get both microdermabrasions and chemical peels done in one appointment every 2 weeks along with using the Retin A, will see results a lot faster since the microdermabrasions and chemical peels kill off the acne causing bacteria and it makes you peel and it also helps your skin absorb creams/products a lot easier? So with all that said, will I see results faster? If so, how fast do you think??
posted on Fri, 17 Jan 2014
Twitter Fri, 17 Jan 2014 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 17 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM

I can understand your desire to get faster results but skin treatments should be combined very carefully in order to avoid side effects/irritation.

Microdermabrasion and chemical peels remove superficial dead cells only but do not kill bacteria (mandelic acid peel does have an antibacterial effect) and thus helps to exfoliate the skin thereby having beneficial effects in acne.

Retin-A 0.05% contains tretinoin. It is a wonderful anti acne drug in itself but it cannot be combined with either chemical peeling OR microdermabrasion because it will cause lot of irritation if used. In fact it is advisable to stop tretinoin for at least 1 week before chemical peel OR Microdermabrasion for the same reason.

Topical antibacterials like clindamycin gel can be combined with microdermabrasion and chemical peels for precisely the same reason that you gave for retin- A (removal of dead cells will help in the penetrance of clindamycin and thus accentuates its antibacterial effect)but combining Retin-A with either Microdermabrasion OR chemical peeling is contraindicated.

take care
regards
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Does Microdermabrasion And Chemical Peels Kill The Acne Causing Bacteria And Help The Skin To Absorb The Creams Faster?

Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM I can understand your desire to get faster results but skin treatments should be combined very carefully in order to avoid side effects/irritation. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels remove superficial dead cells only but do not kill bacteria (mandelic acid peel does have an antibacterial effect) and thus helps to exfoliate the skin thereby having beneficial effects in acne. Retin-A 0.05% contains tretinoin. It is a wonderful anti acne drug in itself but it cannot be combined with either chemical peeling OR microdermabrasion because it will cause lot of irritation if used. In fact it is advisable to stop tretinoin for at least 1 week before chemical peel OR Microdermabrasion for the same reason. Topical antibacterials like clindamycin gel can be combined with microdermabrasion and chemical peels for precisely the same reason that you gave for retin- A (removal of dead cells will help in the penetrance of clindamycin and thus accentuates its antibacterial effect)but combining Retin-A with either Microdermabrasion OR chemical peeling is contraindicated. take care regards