Chemical Peel Q&A
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Which Chemical Peel for Old Marks and Blemishes on Legs?
asked 2 years ago by Acapricorn in brooklyn,ny
Latest answer by Kavita Mariwalla, MD
Question viewed 1,671 times
Tags: legs, blemishes, scar
I'm African-American (brown/dark skinned) and I have really bad marks and blemishes from old mosquito bites from the Carribean. I'm so self-conscious, I can't wear shorts or skirts! Which chemical peel would help me? Please help!
4 answers to Which Chemical Peel for Old Marks and Blemishes on Legs?
+2
A tinture of time, sunscreen, and hydroquinone
While chemical peels are very effective for many types of dark spots, they are not very effective for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on the legs. Darker skin type patients are more prone to dark spots after bug bites/ acne/ etc. We call this post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation-- as the inflammation from the bug bite causes excess melanin production in the area.
In this situation, I would caution against doing any peels, as this can cause further inflammation...
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Margaret Mann, MD
Cleveland Dermatologic Surgeon
Cleveland Dermatologic Surgeon
+1
Beta peel may work for dark spots on the legs
While most doctors shy away from treating skin of color with peels (due to risk of hypo or hyperpigmentation) you may want to consider a beta lift. Legs are harder to peel than the face, but with dermabrasion, hydroquinone and beta lift peels, you may experience lightening and some success. The key will be several treatments over time. Good luck!
Kavita Mariwalla, MD
New Haven Dermatologic Surgeon
New Haven Dermatologic Surgeon
+1
Not recommended.
Hello,
Chemical peels are unpredictable in darkly pigmented skin and in the legs. I would not recommend them.
Best Regards,
John Di Saia MD
+1
Post-inflammatory pigmentation in ethnic skin requires potent prescription-strength bleaching cream
You are probably better with strict daily sun protection, potent prescription strength bleaching cream, and/or glycolic acid topical preparation under supervision of a board-certified dermatologist.
