Chemical Peel for Asian Skin?

Dear Anjie
Skin color is classified clincally using the Fitzpatrick scale from I to VI:
Type I: Always burns easily, never tans, extremely sun sensitive.
Type II: Always burns easily, tans minimally, very sun sensitive.
Type III: Sometimes burns, tans gradually to light brown, sun sensitive.
Type IV: Burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown, minimally sun sensitive.
Type V: Rarely burns, tans well, sun insensitive skin.
Type VI: Never burns, deeply pigmented, sun insensitive skin.
This scale is widely used to classify skin pigmentation. So the lightest of skin with blonde or redish hair and blue eyes would be a type I and the darkest Africian skin would be a type VI. Most of us are somewhere in between. Many asians can be a Fitzpatrick IV or even V.
Skin type is very important in understanding how chemical peels and laser resufacing will effect the skin. In particular, chemical peels generally are very good for individuals of Fitzpatrick types II and III. By this I am refering to peels like trichoroacetic acid 35% or even phenol 89%. These stronger peels are used for skin tightening but in higher Fitzpatrick skin types, the peel can actually cause a depigmentation or stimulate post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Neither of which is a desirable thing.
However, for peels used to improve active acne, it is generally not necessary to peel with an agent so strong that it is likely to stimulate changes in pigmenation. This is because what is needed to help acne is keratolysis- an agent that helps exfoliate the outer most layers of the skin. This can sometimes be accomplished with mild glycolic acid peels, or very light tricholoracetic acid peels, even microdermabrasion. This very superficial peels help turn over the outer keratin layers of the face, open pores, and improve acne without disturbing the underlying skin pigmentation.

Certainly, those of Asian background can, and do, benefit from mid level chemical peels.  Deeper resurfacing techniques are more tricky to do in the more darkly pigmented skin types.

In general, any resurfacing option (laser, peel, dermabrasion) will pose a higher risk of pigmentation changes (hyper and hypo pigmentation) in people with darker skin. Although it is possible to resurface Asian skin, you want to go to somebody experienced with this. A thorough preparation and after care will be important to minimize the risks.

Hi Anjie,
You are right to be concerned because asian skin is very sensitive and needs to be treated differently than caucasian skin. There are peels that are less likely to cause hyperpigmentation than others but all peels do have a certain amount of risk. It is often advised to pre-treat asian skin before a peel, and you will need to be very careful after the peel to stay out of the sun.
I suggest that you don't rush into anything. Take your time and research the peel completely. Also research the doctor completely to make sure that he or she is experienced doing this type of procedure on asian skin.
Good Luck!

Asians generally can tolerate light chemical peels including Jessners, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic acid and TCA 10%. I would only recommend these peels for you.
Deeper peels can create pigmentation problems in ethnic skin. Even with light chemical peels in Asians and Hispanics, I have uncommonly seen a splotchy darkening of the skin. You should be aware of the risk, but in all the cases I have observed, the pigmentation resolves with time.
Good luck.