What's the best chemical peel for severe dark marks, deep pores, discoloration, blackheads, on African American skin? (Photos)

Question

*my face is much worse in person my scars are very deep and take ages to get rid off*

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

From the photos, there appears to be a very significant amount of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, rather than true scars (except for perhaps the linear, diagonal mark on the left forehead). There is a significant difference between true scars and skin stains, since mature scars are permanent, while post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is treatable and in many cases, although sometimes quite long-lasting (particularly in skin of color typically is not. Pigmented skin is more prone to blotchy pigmentary problems, from the active acne, its resolution, and/or too harsh treatments for the acne. While medium depth or stronger peels are very ill-advised in skin of color, superficial peels, such as high concentration salicylic acid (3-35%), Jessner's Solution (a combination of low concentration lactic & salicylic acids and resorcinol), low strength TCA (10-25%) and high strength glycolic acid ((50-75%) all have a proven track record for successfully treating both active acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in persons with skin of color, including those with deeply pigmented African American skin. These peels can likewise help with enlarged pores. You would be well advised to seek consultation and treatment by a board certified aesthetic dermatologist. Best of luck.

What's the best chemical peel for severe dark marks, deep pores, discoloration, blackheads, on African American skin? (Photos)

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What's the best chemical peel for severe dark marks, deep pores, discoloration, blackheads, on African American skin? (Photos)

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Everything you need to know about Chemical Peel

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