What To Know About Chemical Peel Hyperpigmentation

What To Know About Chemical Peel Hyperpigmentation

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining your overall health. However, if your skin is not properly cared for, it can start to show signs of aging and other problems. One way to help prevent these issues is through chemical peels.

Chemical peels are a type of treatment that uses chemicals to gently remove or reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face. They can also improve your skin texture, help with acne scars and sun damage, as well as reduce hyperpigmentation (dark spots) caused by other forms of treatment such as laser surgery or microdermabrasion treatments.

Chemical peels can be very beneficial for a variety of skin conditions, but the downside of them is the post-peel hyperpigmentation that can occur. This refers to a temporary darkening of the skin in the treated area that can last anywhere from days to weeks after treatment. Read on to learn more Skin Looks Worse After Chemical Peel/Hyperpigmentation After Chemical Peel.

What To know About Chemical Peel Hyperpigmentation

Chemical peels are a type of cosmetic treatment used to exfoliate skin. Professionally done chemical peels come in three strengths: mild, medium, and deep.

Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid, derived from sugar cane, sugar beets, and other substances. It’s used as a medium-strength chemical peel. Glycolic acid has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Glycolic acid peels are effective for treating several skin conditions. This treatment is done professionally by doctors and licensed cosmetologists or aestheticians.

Mild glycolic peel versions can also be purchased for use at home.

How does a glycolic acid peel work?

Glycolic acid peels slough off the surface and middle layers of skin, removing dead skin cells and debris.

Since glycolic acid is made up of small molecules, it readily penetrates skin, removing the lipids that hold dead skin cells together. The percentage of glycolic acid contained in the peel determines how deeply it can penetrate the skin’s layers.

Glycolic acid also loosens and lifts excess oil from hair follicle roots, which is why it’s often used to treat acne.

It’s also thought to suppress the production of melanin, which may be why it’s beneficial for reducing dark spots.

Benefits of using a glycolic acid peel on your skin

Glycolic acid peels are the most common alpha-hydroxy acid peels used by dermatologists.

When used correctly, they’re considered safe and cause no downtime for people who get them. To acquire optimal results, you may require several peels over a period of time as determined by a doctor.

Glycolic acid peels have proven benefits in the treatment of several skin conditions:

Acne and acne scars

Glycolic acid peels are effective for removing blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples from skin. They also help to reduce pore size.

Consistent and repeated use of glycolic acid peels have been shownTrusted Source to be effective for removing cystic lesions and acne scars from skin.

Ingrown hairs and scarring

Glycolic acid has been found to be effective for reducing the occurrence of ingrown hairs on the face and body. It also helps reduce the scarring caused by ingrown hairs.

Stretch marks

Stretch marks often start out as red or purple (striae ruba). They tend to fade in color, turning white over time.

Glycolic acid peels stimulate collagen production in the skin, and have been foundTrusted Source to be effective for treating white stretch marks (striae alba).

Dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)

Trauma to the skin can result in producing excess melanin, which causes dark spots called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This type of trauma can result from a number of causes, including overuse of chemical products, acne, and eczema.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation presents as flat patches that are tan, brown, or black in color. This condition typically resolves completely after the application of 6 to 8Trusted Source glycolic acid peels.

Melasma

Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that causes dark patches to form on skin. These patches often occur symmetrically on the face. This condition is also known as cholasma and is common during pregnancy.

In order to optimize effectiveness, glycolic acid is sometimes mixed with other skin lightening ingredients like hydroquinone to treat this condition.

Photoaging

Too much sun exposure can cause premature aging of the skin. This is known as photoaging. Symptoms of photoaged skin include:

• sagging
• wrinkling
• dark spots

Photoaged skin can also appear rough with scaly patches called actinic keratosis. These can become cancerous if they’re not removed.

Mild symptoms of photoaging can often be treated effectively with glycolic acid peels.

Some people have better results when a combination of glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is used. Severe signs of photoaging, such as deep wrinkles, typically require medical treatment.

Potential side effects

Glycolic acid peels are considered safe for most people. However, they’re not without potential side effects.

Side effects are more likely to occur if acid peels are overused or if they’re applied at high strengths by inexperienced providers.

Sun exposure and cigarette smoking, before and after treatment, may exacerbate side effects.

Potential side effects include:

• eye irritation if the eyes aren’t adequately protected
• skin irritation
• redness that may persist for several days
• a pulling sensation in the skin
• a stinging or burning sensation
• swelling
• changes in skin tone
• reactivation of cold sores
• skin crusts that can become infected if picked

Rare side effects include blisters, scarring, and hypopigmentation (permanent lightening of skin).

Who can get one?

Glycolic acid peels are considered safe for all skin types.

People with dark skin tones should use mild- to moderate-strength peels only, and should work with a medical or cosmetic professional who specializes in treating dark skin.

People with sensitive skin should use with caution.

Do not use a glycolic acid peel if you have active skin infections, blisters, or a sunburn.

Where to get a glycolic acid peel

It’s important to work with a qualified provider when having any type of chemical peel done. These include board-certified dermatologists or licensed aestheticians.

A qualified provider will assess your skin prior to applying a glycolic acid peel. They may also have you prep your skin for several days or weeks prior to the treatment by using sunscreen or other lotions.

Since they’re typically classified as cosmetic procedures, glycolic acid peels are rarely covered by health insurance. The price for this procedure can vary significantly based on where you live and the provider.

In general, you can expect to spend anywhere for $100 to over $600 for a mild or moderate peel.

Glycolic acid peels will affect the appearance of your face for anywhere from 1 to 14 days.

Mild peels cause less down time than moderate ones. Your skin type and sensitivity are also factors that will affect how your skin looks after the peel.

Some people are comfortable returning to work immediately. Others prefer to wait until redness, swelling, and crusting is completely gone.

You won’t be able to use cosmetics on your skin for several days after the peel. Ask your provider when you’ll be able to use products like foundation.

Glycolic acid peel at home

Mild versions of glycolic acid peels can be found online and in stores. These range in price, often from $20 to over $100.

As with any product you use on your skin, only buy glycolic acid peels from transparent manufacturers with good reputations. At-home treatments may be effective for acne and other minor skin conditions.

Shop glycolic acid peels here.

Follow up with a dermatologist or other healthcare professional if you have any concerns before or after doing an at-home peel.

Skin care following a glycolic acid peel

Ask your provider for aftercare guidelines. For 1 to 2 weeks, you should:

• keep skin lubricated and moisturized
• avoid products that dry the skin
• avoid exfoliators on your skin
• use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30
• not pick at blisters or scabs that form on your skin
• not smoke and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
• wash your skin with cool water rather than warm or hot water
• avoid cosmetics

Call a doctor if you have uncomfortable symptoms of any kind that don’t go away.

Alternative treatments

Based on the skin condition being treated, there are a number of alternative treatments to glycolic acid peels.

Home remedies

• Home remedies for acne include spot treatments with tea tree oil and gentle exfoliating masks.
• Moisturizers that contain active ingredients like retinoids may help diminish some signs of photoaging, such as fine lines. It’s also important to use sunscreen to avoid additional skin damage.
• Creams with coconut butter or oil may help reduce the look of stretch marks. Aloe vera may also help.
• Melasma caused by hormonal conditions, such as pregnancy, often fades on its own. There’s some evidence that aloe vera may also help.

OTC and prescription medication

• Acne and acne scars can be treated at home with products containing alpha-hydroxy acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids. A doctor may also recommend taking antibiotics, or prescription isotretinoin for severe breakouts.
• Hyperpigmentation can be treated at home with prescription medications or with products that contain active ingredients like corticosteroids, azelaic acid, tretinoin, glycolic acid, or trichloroacetic acid.

Medical treatments

Talk to a doctor about other types of peels that may be beneficial for you. These may include deep peels, such as those containing phenol.

Laser skin resurfacing may also help for conditions like acne scars and age spots.

Takeaway

Glycolic acid peels are considered a safe and effective treatment for a variety of skin conditions, including acne, hyperpigmentation, and photoaging.

Medium-strength peels are done by board-certified dermatologists or by licensed cosmetologists or aestheticians. Milder peels can be purchased for home use, but always be sure to find ones from reputable companies.

Skin Looks Worse After Chemical Peel

Chemical peels can improve the skin’s appearance. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which makes it “blister” and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

Chemical peels can be done on the face, neck, or hands. They can be used to:

• Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
• Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging
• Improve the appearance of mild scars
• Treat certain types of acne
• Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches (melasma) due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills
• Improve the look and feel of skin

Areas of sun damage may improve after chemical peeling.

After a chemical peel, skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen every day. It should say “broad-spectrum” on the label, meaning it protects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Also, it should be a physical sunscreen and be above SPF 30. Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?

Generally, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are better candidates for chemical peels. If you have darker skin, you may also have good results, depending upon the type of problem being treated. But you also may be more likely to have an uneven skin tone after the procedure.

Skin sags, bulges, and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may need other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, or soft tissue filler (collagen or fat). A dermatologic surgeon can help determine the most appropriate type of treatment for you.



Before You Get a Chemical Peel

Tell your doctor if you have any history of scarring, cold sores that keep coming back, or facial X-rays.

Before you get a chemical peel, your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain drugs and prepare your skin by using other medications, such as Retin-A, Renova, or glycolic acid. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics or antiviral drugs.

Work with your doctor to determine the depth of your peel. This decision depends upon the condition of your skin and your goals for treatment.

Ask your doctor in advance whether you will need to have someone drive you home after your peel.

How Chemical Peels Are Done

You can get a chemical peel in a doctor’s office or in a surgery center. It’s an outpatient procedure, meaning there’s no overnight stay.

The professional who does your peel will first clean your skin thoroughly. Then they will apply one or more chemical solutions — such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid (phenol) — to small areas of your skin. That creates a controlled wound, letting new skin take its place.

During a chemical peel, most people feel a burning sensation that lasts about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Putting cool compresses on the skin may ease that stinging. You may need pain medication during or after a deeper peel.

Hyperpigmentation After Chemical Peel

Depending upon the type of chemical peel, a reaction similar to sunburn occurs following the procedure. Peeling usually involves redness followed by scaling that ends within three to seven days. Mild peels may be repeated at one to four-week intervals until you get the look you’re after.

Medium-depth and deep peeling may result in swelling as well as blisters that may break, crust, turn brown, and peel off over a period of seven to 14 days. Medium-depth peels may be repeated in six to 12 months, if necessary.

After treatment, you may need bandages for several days on part or all of the skin that was treated.

You’ll need to avoid the sun for several months after a chemical peel since your new skin will be fragile.

Possible Complications

Some skin types are more likely to develop a temporary or permanent color change in the skin after a chemical peel. Taking birth control pills, subsequent pregnancy, or a family history of brownish discoloration on the face may make that more likely.

There is a low risk of scarring in certain areas of the face. Some people may be more likely to scar. If scarring does happen, it can usually be treated with good results.

For people with a history of herpes outbreaks, there is a small risk of reactivating cold sores. Your doctor can prescribe medication to prevent or treat that.

Chemical peeling advantages and disadvantages

A chemical peel is a mixture of chemicals that forms gel-like consistency. It’s applied to the face in order to smooth the surface of the skin, remove the appearance of fine lines and remove blemishes. There are three types of chemical peels: mild, medium-depth and deep. Each have their advantages and serve different purposes.

What Are the Advantages of a Mild Chemical Peel?

• Chemical peels help to smooth dry skin
• Can help with pigmentation problems
• Controls acne
• Removes blemishes
• Less recovery time
• Helps with mild sun-damage
• Reduces mild blotchiness
• Fresher and younger looking appearance

What Are the Advantages of a Medium-Depth Chemical Peel?

• Thin facial lines are removed or the appearance is less noticeable
• The medium-depth reduces facial birthmarks
• The pigmentation in the skin is improved
• Helps with dry skin and old acne scarring
• Helps with sun-damaged skin
• Improves blotchy skin
• Younger looking overall appearance

What Are the Advantages of a Deep Chemical Peel?

• Ability to remove pre-cancerous growths
• Deeper acne scar emanation
• Long lasting effect
• Eliminates deeper lines on the face??
• Controls acne
• Helps with deep or course wrinkles
• Age spot removal
• Only a single treatment is necessary
• Smoother skin, younger appearance
• Long-term results are very good when the peel is specifically for acne scarring

The advantages of chemical peels are many, and all three help with different issues. The deep chemical peels are reserved for those with the worst types of skin problems, including serious acne, scarring and birthmarks. Some disadvantages of chemical peels need mentioning.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Chemical Peel?

• Excessive peeling normally happens more with the medium-depth peel and particularly with the deep peel
• Stinging sensation when initially applied
• Redness appears. Again, this is particularly so with the deep and medium peels. The light peel normally results in peeling like a sunburn.
• Temporarily may feel a bit of numbness
• Deep chemical peels can cause a crusting or scabbing after the treatment, as the deep dead skin cells are sleuthing off. This is temporary.
• Sensitivity to the sun ? you will need to stay out of the sun for a short time after the peel as your skin is more sensitive
• Costs can also be a disadvantage for some, since the average chemical peel cost $500 for each treatment

While some disadvantages do exist for chemical peels, the advantages do outweigh them particularly for those suffering from severe skin problems, such as acne or acne scarring. Even with the disadvantages, most people that have had them report they would have it again because of the overall improvement of their skin’s surface and the younger fresher look the entire chemical peels bring about. The discomforts often associated with a chemical peel are temporary and subside rather quickly.