Chemical peels for hyperpigmentation may sound like a new treat but they have been around for thousands of years. Cleopatra and ancient Egyptians were known to bath in sour milk (which contains lactic acids) to remove skin imperfections. Chemical peels have many uses, but they are particularly effective at treating hyperpigmentation. So, what are the best chemical peels for hyperpigmentation?
Melasma
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that is common in pregnant women, but it can also be caused by birth control, thyroid issues, and some medications. It can even affect men. It appears on the face, specifically on the forehead, nose, upper lip, chin, and cheeks in the shape of a “mask”.
One of the best chemical peels for melasma is mandelic acid peels. These peels are non-irritating but offer powerful results.
Sun Spots 
Solar lentigines, also known as sun spots, are caused by sun exposure. They appear on areas that often receive sun exposure like the face, hands, shoulders, decolletage and tops of the feet. TCA chemical peels for hyperpigmentation sun spots is an effective treatment. Trichloroacetic peels are high strength so there is a bit of recovery time involved, but the strength is customizable.
However, the strength of the peel will determine how deep into the skin it goes. So, if you have pigmentation on multiple layers of your skin, you can treat them with TCA peels. TCA peels are effective at treating sun damaged skin, wrinkles, dullness, and thin skin.
Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
This hyperpigmentation is the result of inflammation in the skin, commonly spots and skin injuries like cuts or burns. Additionally, sun exposure can cause this type of hyperpigmentation to worsen. TCA peels are a great option for treating this type of hyperpigmentation as well. It even breaks up the pigmentation in deeper layers of the skin and encourages those cells to migrate to the surface where they can be shed away.
Best Chemical Peels for Hyperpigmentation in Darker Skin Tones
While PIH occurs in all skin types, darker skin tones are more prone to developing it. Salicylic acid chemical peels are especially safe and effective for people with darker skin tones. This peel encourages exfoliation and allows superficial pigments to shed.
Additionally, Salicylic acid is used to control oily skin and contains anti-inflammatory properties so its well suited to those with PIH. This also means that it is less likely to cause inflammation to the skin, reducing the chances of the treatment causing additional PIH.
Chemical Peels Near Me
If you are interested in learning more about chemical peels for hyperpigmentation, please contact Cronin Dermatology today!