What should I do about hyperpigmentation after Glycolic peel?

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 Melarase creams may improve results.

Im sorry to hear this happened. Everyones skin reacts different to peels. Did the practitioner go over your skincare regime prior to peel? For the pigmentation that happened post peel, using a Hydroquinone can help. Continue to use a daily SPF50.

Anything different in your daily skincare regimen can alter the results of a chemical peel. If you tolerated the first 3 Glycolic peels well, did your technician change anything during the 4th treatment?  Keep your skin hydrated and protected with at least SPF 30.  Also applying a topical lightening cream of 4% Hydroquinone will help reduce any major pigmentation changes.  An alternative to Hydroquinone if you are sensitive would be Kojic Acid and Arbutin.  Keep in mind that this might take some time, so be patient and it should go away soon. Good luck!

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 darkness will take time to resolve and you can do two other things: 1. Wear sunscreen and avoid the sun, and 2. Get a hydroquinone or Triluma prescription to bleach the dark areas.

With time, no matter what it looks like now, it will heal. They always do.

Hope this helps!