Hyperpigmentation after Glycolic Peel

I had my 4th Glycolic Peel (30%) done a month and a half ago, and while the first 3 treatments were great, this one left my skin damaged. What should I do? It first crusted, especially my chin and neck, then when the crusting peeled off after a week, I was left with very red skin that broke out.

Even after the redness and breakouts went away (this took another 2 weeks) my skin became dark (about 4 or 5 shades darker than my normal medium-fair tone), it looks like a thousand fine lines/wrinkles have appeared on my face (I'm only 25 years old) and my chin has tiny bumps all over which just aren't going away. The cosmetic clinic I went to is telling me to give it more time, but I just don't trust them anymore. What should I do?

2 answers to “Hyperpigmentation after Glycolic Peel”

A: Glycolic Peels

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Glycolic peels are performed as a mechanism for chemical exfoliation. In patients with olive skin or hormonally sensitive melasma, patients may develop pigmentation as a result of postprocedural inflammation.  In cases of hyperpigmentation, early therapy with hydroquinone and retinoids may improve results.

A: You had a glycolic acid burn - there is usually no scarring and it will take time for this to heal.

Don Mehrabi, MD

 Thank you for your question. It does sound like you either had a deeper peel effect or a slight glycolic acid burn; both are normal with glycolic peels and can happen with anyone at any time (yours was the 4th time). Dry skin is usually the cause, and although this happened to you, don't worry. The... more

Comments

Demi11
1 post
31 Mar 2009

Hi, I've recently had a similar experience. My peel was done 2.5 months ago and the pigmentation change (especially blue/black stains around my chin and forehead), bumps and lines are still there. It is proving to be quite debilitating as makeup is not covering it properly. Can an MD please answer this individual's question at their earliest convenience? Myself and probably others would like to know as well.

Sara77
2 posts
29 Jun 2009

yeas, we all are waiting to receive an answer for such question, and we need a solution for this problem!!!!

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