Will sun exposure after chemical peel cause permanent tanning?

I had a medium Chemical Peel, 7 weeks ago and I went out 10 days after the peel with sunblock on my face, but when I came back my face was kind of tanned. It got a lighter color after 2 weeks, leaving an erythema below my eyes until now.

The dermatologist gave me mometasone and hydroquinone, and suspended the hydroquinone after 2 weeks. Now I´m just taking the mometasone, I´ve noticed a light tan in my face and redness in some parts. My worry is if I´m going to be permanently tanned in my face, and if mometasone is the right treatment and for how long do I have to wait to fully recover? Thank You ! ! ! ! PS I´m white hispanic

5 answers to “Will sun exposure after chemical...”

A: Pigment shifts can be persistent after tanning

By John P. Di Saia, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Hello, After a medium strength or deeper peel, I keep patients out of the sun for several months. Deliberate tanning after a peel can cause pigment shifts that may take more peeling to correct particularly in darker skinned people. Follow your surgeon's advice carefully to get through this.

A: Hyperpigmentation is very possible

By Scott E. Kasden, MD - Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Sun exposure will cause skin damage, and work against what the peel is trying to accomplish. Eary exposure to sun after skin resurfacing can cause permanent hyperpigmentation, and therefore should be avoided until the area is completely healed. People with deep coloration to the skin such as hispanics,... more

A: Chemical peel and tanning

By Bryan K. Chen, MD - San Diego Dermatologist

My suggestion would be to discontinue mometasone at this time. Cortisone creams should not be used long-term on the face (or anywhere else for that matter). I would encourage strict sun protection/avoidance, using a sunscreen containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, SPF 30 or greater, daily. Tretinoin... more

A: No such thing as a "permanent tan" from one exposure

By David J. Levens, MD - Ft. Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

Sounds like your Dermatologist is doing just the right thing with a combination of a bleaching agent (hydroquinone) and a topical corticosteroid. You need to be cautious about sun exposure soon after a peel to avoid prolonged redness which can then lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and if severe,... more

A: Pigmentation and Redness after Peel

By Otto Joseph Placik, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Be cautious with any further sun exposure. It typically takes somewhere between 3-4 months for this to resolve. Some areas of hyperpigmentation may take longer (up to two years).