Can I lighten my dark knees with chemical peel?

20-30% TCA peels do great at lightening up dark spots but often need to be done a few times at 2 week intervals.

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Hyperpigmented areas of the knees are more challenging to treat in patients who tend to have darker complexions and more natural pigment at baseline or areas of thicker skin such as the knees or back. Energy-based treatments such as laser and intense-pulsed light can remove pigment but may take several treatments. A more gentle option is to use topical "bleaching" creams such as hydroquinone, however care must be given to apply the cream only to areas that are darker so avoid lightening normal skin. If these areas changed only recently, they may also improve over time naturally if kept out of the sun and protected. It is important to wear sunblock and to protect the areas when outside. For the best treatment options, it is important to visit an expert for an in-person examination. Best of luck!
Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
@drjohnsonlee

You can use peels on your knees for hyperpigmentation, as well as lasers and topical lightening creams. Peels tend not to cause as much peeling on areas other than the face, so you probably won't have the same kind of peeling here as you would have on the face. It might be more like flaking than peeling. For this reason, we prefer to use strong peels on the knees (we like the VIPeel Precision Plus, but there are many options depending on your provider). 

Thank you for the question.Dark knee skin tends to be thicker and take more treatments to improve, compared to other areas of the body.Wear sunscreen 30 spf every day. Prevent kneeling and knee trauma.Microneedling and prp, and some lasers over multiple treatments may help fade darkness over time.....Choose an expert. Best. Dr Brecht Seattle, Wa