Glycolic acid peels are a safe and effective treatment for a variety of skin conditions, such as acne, hyperpigmentation and photoaging. Medium-strength peels are performed by board-certified dermatologists or licensed cosmetologists or estheticians. Melasma is a common hyperpigmentation disorder, which has a serious impact on quality of life. Despite enormous research, treatment remains frustrating for both the patient and the treating physician.
Dark skin types (Fitzpatrick types IV to VI) are especially difficult to treat because of the increased risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Treatment ranges from a variety of topical therapies that are easy to apply to agents such as lasers and chemical peels. Peels are a well-known treatment modality for melasma and have shown promising results in many clinical trials. However, in darker breeds, the choice of exfoliating agent becomes relatively limited; therefore, there is a need for additional priming agents and maintenance peels.
Although several new agents have emerged, there is little published evidence to support their use in daily practice. Traditional glycolic acid peels prove to be the best in terms of both safety and effectiveness. Lactic acid peels are relatively inexpensive and have shown equally good results in some studies, they definitely need more experimentation. We also recommend the use of a new exfoliating agent, the easy phytic solution, which requires no neutralization unlike traditional alpha-hydroxy peels.
Choosing the Right Chemical Peel
The choice of exfoliating agent, the concentration of exfoliation, as well as the frequency and duration of peels are important to achieve optimal results.By spraying skin with exfoliating acids to rejuvenate and revive dullness (among other skin problems), many promote chemical peels as the secret to radiant skin. TCA peels are a medium-depth peel that penetrates deeper than glycolic or salicylic acid peels, making them a good choice for people with scarring or pigmentation problems. With the equivalent of 30% glycolic acid, plus lactic acid, salicylic acid and tartaric acid, this chemical peel can produce significant skin improvements. Although commonly used on lighter skin, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peeling is less commonly preferred on darker skin types due to the risk of scarring and dyschromia following exfoliation. Evidence and Considerations in the Application of Chemical Peels in Skin Disorders and Aesthetic Rejuvenation.
Overall, it's an excellent ingredient list that competes even with premium chemical peels like CANE+AUSTIN Miracle Pad+. Like all other chemical peels, the Jessner peel is done by applying an acidic liquid to the skin to remove the upper layers and encourage the growth of new, younger-looking skin. In general, you should expect more subtle improvements than deeper chemical peels such as glycolic acid and TCA. To conclude, although TCA peels may be as effective as GA peels for treating dyschromia pigmentosa, caution should be exercised when using them on dark skin due to a higher frequency of adverse effects. To help boost your research, check out this quick guide on the different types of chemical peels and how they help.
As already mentioned, the biggest drawback of using chemical peels for melasma on ethnic skin is PIH, which can occur between treatment sessions or after stopping treatment.
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