Can a VI peel or other chemical peel help with hyperpigmentation around mouth/in my nasolabial folds? (Photo)

Question

I am a 23-year-old female with acne-prone combination skin. I have currently on spironolactone 50 mg daily for about a month now. I have always had mouth hyperpigmentation, but it recently got worse around 4 weeks ago. I also incorporated tretinoin 0.05 % about 2 months ago, which I dont know if it contributes to the pigmentation. The skin in my folds has gotten dark and sometimes has dry, flaky skin. I wanted to know if a chemical peel could help with lifting this pigment and getting rid of it

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.  Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. 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

Can a VI peel or other chemical peel help with hyperpigmentation around mouth/in my nasolabial folds? (Photo)

Answers (1)