Chemical Peel Q&A
63%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers
that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not.
See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings
or Add Your Review
View Before and Afters
Average Chemical Peel Cost: $475
Learn about Chemical Peel
788 people and 257 doctors are talking about Chemical Peel
Get Free Email Updates
Is Hyperpigmentation Due to Chemical Peel Permanent?
asked 10 months ago by worrieddaughter
Latest answer by Lawrence Kass, MD
Question viewed 454 times
Tags: 2 years post-op, hyperpigmentation, options, permanent
my mother had very good, clear skin. she had medium chemical face peel 2-2.5 years ago and she developed hyperpigmentation very soon after the procedure. Since then she has been using Obagi Creams, Sunblock and has been getting monthly laser treatments. but the pigmentation never fully vanishes and returns after exposure to sun or due to a pimple. is there any definite cure for this? will she be able to go out in the sun without pigmentation re-surfacing? can her skin go back to the way it was?
3 answers to Is Hyperpigmentation Due to Chemical Peel Permanent?
+1
Hyperpigmentation after peel
In my opinion, the Hyperpigmentation after a chemical peel is NOT permanent. Unfortunately, your mother may have a tendency toward this, as noted by one of my colleagues. This may have nothing to do with the peel (and I recognize that neither I or anyone else may be able to convince you of this) and that she just has to be EXTREMELY careful with using sunscreen on these areas and avoiding excess sun exposure.
+1
This is not an easy answer
Pigmentation is due to genetic tendencies, sun exposure and hormones. Both thyroid problems and estrogen imbalance can cause exaggerated hyperpigmentation in susceptible individuals. I think you need to see a cosmetic dermatologist who understands hormone metabolism. Have you been told if the pigmentation is in the epidermis, the dermis or both? This is an important question to ask your physician. The only laser I have had success with in treating...
more
Laura Skellchock, MD
Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
+1
Wear sunscreen always
Sounds like your mom makes quite a bit of pigment on her own and I doubt that the prior peel is what the cause of this is now . Hormonal changes or changes in or oral contraceptives might be changing the way she reacts to the sun but she probably has enough her own pigment for this to happen with small amounts of sun or inflammation anyway. She should apply sunscreen every morning and she might want to use a bleaching system when needed. Sunscreen is key!!
