Hyperpigmentation, more commonly known as dark spots, is a condition that occurs when there is excessive melanin production. Melanin is the pigment that forms natural skin color; this excessive production causes darker brown patches to form on the skin. Hyperpigmentation is more common in people with dark skin; it is also harder to treat and lasts longer in those with dark skin, thereby affecting the quality of our lives.
If you have dark skin and suffer from hyperpigmentation, you would know how the struggle is real; treating hyperpigmentation is truly difficult and challenging, and oftentimes treatments might result in a rebound of hyperpigmentation, which makes the whole process very frustrating. Although hyperpigmentation is not harmful, it does affect our self-image and our confidence; thereby affecting the quality of our lives.
Thankfully, treatment is possible. Hyperpigmentation treatment can vary according to the reason and the degree of the hyperpigmentation. Today we will talk about chemical peels as a treatment for hyperpigmentation. To learn more about hyperpigmentation and chemical peels, read this article!
What is Hyperpigmentation?
As we mentioned before, hyperpigmentation occurs when there is excessive melanin that causes areas of the skin to become darker, giving your skin an uneven color. Hyperpigmentation can happen for many reasons, including:
Sun exposure.
Melasma.
Acne.
Injuries.
Burns.
Age spots.
Some medications include tricyclic antidepressants, antimalarials, birth control pills, and antibiotics.
Some diseases and conditions, like Adisson's disease and melanoma.
Occasionally, it can occur after laser treatment.
It can also happen after the use of hyperpigmentation treatment; this case is known as rebound hyperpigmentation.
Treating Hyperpigmentation
Treating hyperpigmentation can take a long time, and you will certainly need patience by your side. Depending on the condition, a single or multiple agents may be used to treat hyperpigmentation. There are various treatments for hyperpigmentation, mostly topical, but you can also find oral and injectable ones. Those treatments include:
Retinoids.
Vitamin C.
Face acids: azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids.
And chemical peels.
What is A Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel, also known as chemexfoliation or dermapeeling, is a process in which a chemical solution with a certain concentration is applied to the skin for a short period of time. This chemical solution causes injury to the upper layer of the skin, thereby inducing the process of peeling. The new skin that appears is more youthful, smoother, and has fewer wrinkles and dark spots.
What Are Chemical Peels Used For?
Chemical peels are used in treating and improving a variety of skin conditions. They include:
Melasma: dark patches that appear in different areas on the skin; it can be caused by sun exposure, and that's the reason why it's worse during the summer than it is during the winter; it can also be caused by pregnancy and birth control pills; it affects every race, but it's higher in Hispanics, Middle Easterners, Asians, and females of African origin. In some cases, melasma might disappear on its own, but it might take a long time in other cases and require intervention, which can be done by chemical peeling.
Wrinkles and fine lines: Chemical peeling can be used to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, giving your skin a smoother feeling.
Acne scars: chemical peels improve the appearance of acne scars by removing the outer layer of the skin.
Acne spots: chemical peels can also be used to treat dark spots and hyperpigmentation that result from acne.
Sun spots and liver spots.
Mild scarring.
Chemical peeling might reduce the size of large pores.
Scaly patches.
Freckles.
Dull skin.
Degrees of Chemical Peeling
There are different degrees of chemical peeling that vary according to the concentration of the chemical peel used. The concertantion is determined according to the severity of the hyperpigmentation, the type, and the sensitivity of the skin.
Light Chemical Peels
Light chemical peels remove the outer layer of the skin (also known as the epidermis).
You are likely to experience some redness, stinging, skin flaking, and irritation from a light chemical peel. It's mostly used for mild cases of acne, hyperpigmentation, and fine wrinkles, it might also give the skin a nice glow!
After applying the chemical peeler, you might feel a little stinging and redness, but those side effects are likely to become lessened after repeated use. Another side effect is hyperpigmentation, which can happen due to the following:
exposure to sunlight.
Putting the chemical peel on for too long.
Applying a thick layer of the chemical peel.
This is why instructions must be followed strictly, and sun protection must be applied during and after the treatment to avoid this side effect. Light chemical peeling products are available for use over-the-counter, and they don't need an office session.
Medium-depth Peels
The difference between medium-depth peels and light peels is that while the latter remove only the epidermis, medium-depth peels remove the epidermis and a portion of the upper part of the middle layer of your skin, known as the dermis.
It's used in treating moderate cases of hyperpigmentation, acne, scars, and wrinkles, and just like light chemical peeling, it might take more than just one session to achieve the desired effect.
You might also experience redness, stinging. You will notice the skin after approximately five days after the application, but this process is not always noticeable as it can happen on a micro level sometimes.
Deep Peel
Deep peeling is used for severe hyperpigmentation, deeper wrinkles, and scars; it can even be used to remove pre-cancerous growths. An ingredient called phenol is used for this treatment. The results are more dramatic, and it usually takes one session.
While the process for light and medium chemical peels is somewhat simple and similar, deep peeling is a more complicated procedure. Usually, deep chemical peels are done after some pretreatment, which is started up to eight weeks before the treatment. This treatment might include retinoic acid, a milder exfoliating agent derived from vitamin A. Sedatives might be given before the chemical peeling to help with the discomfort.
What Are The Best Chemical Peels For Hyperpigmentation (dark spots)?
Choosing the right chemical peel, depends on the degree of hyperpigmentation, skin sensitivity, and skin tone. Find out which of the following chemical peels is most suitable for you:
1. Glycolic Acid Peels
Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid, which is a natural acid. Glycolic acid comes from sugarcane, and it's the most common type of chemical peel used. It comes in different concentrations that range from 1% to 70%; the concentrations that are commonly used are from 30% to 70%. Those concentrations require neutralization with a basic solution after the application. Glycolic acid can be used for mild and moderate chemical peeling, and hence it's suitable for moderate cases of hyperpigmentation. Glycolic acid exfoliates the skin superficially in around 7 to 10 days.
2. Lactic Acid Peels
Lactic acid is also one of the alpha-hydroxy acids; it comes from milk. Lactic acid is used for superficial and mild cases of hyperpigmentation. Because its effect is very superficial, we can say that it's the gentlest acid peel, which makes it suitable for sensitive skin. The peeling effect also starts in 7 to 10 days.
3. Citric Acid peels
Another alpha-hydroxy acid is citric acid, which comes from citrus fruits. Citric acid is also milder and gentler than glycolic acid, and hence it can only be used for superficial peeling, which makes it mostly suitable for soft wrinkles and mild hyperpigmentation not to mention that it can also be used as an astringent for oily skin. If you show intolerance to glycolic acid, you might be shifted to citric acid because it's gentler.
4. Mandelic Acid Peels
Mandelic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that comes from bitter almonds, is suitable for people with darker skin tones because, unlike glycolic acid, it's less likely to result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Generally, we can say that it's an ideal choice for sensitive skin. It's considered mild, and recovering from it takes a shorter time; the shedding phase also starts earlier, from three to five days.
Research done in 1999 found that mandelic acid can reduce hyperpigmentation caused by melasma by up to 50% in about four weeks.
5. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid and one of the oldest exfoliating agents, is used in a variety of cosmetic products, including soaps, face cleansers, serums, creams, and chemical peelers. You can find it alone or in combination with other chemical peeling agents. Salicylic acid can unclog pores, remove blackheads and whiteheads, reduce the size of pores, fight acne, and remove hyperpigmentation or dark spots. This makes salicylic acid a great option if you have both an active acne breakout and hyperpigmentation.
6. Phenol
Phenol is used for deep chemical peeling; it's one of the strongest types of chemical peels available and can only be applied in the office by an expert. It's very aggressive; that's why it's not recommended to everyone, so your doctor probably won't advise it unless you have a severe case of acne scarring along with hyperpigmentation. Even then, you might be advised to start with gentler options.
Overall, chemical peels are considered a good option for hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Try to always start with milder and gentler peels in low concentrations and observe the results. Give it time; hyperpigmentation even with treatment can take up to more than three months, so be patient, and don't try anything that's not an over-the-counter product before you consult your dermatologist.
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