Chemical Peels and Black Skin

Do you have wrinkles, age spots, uneven pigment and skin discoloration, acne scars, sun-damaged skin? Do you feel your skin maladies have impacted your abilities to perform at the level you are capable of? Has this affected your confidence and self-esteem? Do you feel helpless or don't know how to begin finding a solution to this problem?

Well fear not, there is an easy and effective answer in chemical skin peels.

Progressively more people are realizing the astounding results that chemical skin peels can achieve.

Chemical peels are solutions that work by removing the outer damaged skin layers to uncover the underlying undamaged skin layers - providing a rich, revitalized, even skin tone and texture. The effects of which are amazing. There are different formulations of chemical peels that are designed to have difference skin penetration strengths. The mildest are generally alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid, while the strongest are carbolic acids like phenol.

Like any cosmetic procedure, there are side effects that need to be addressed before considering the procedure. Mild chemical peel treatments are generally advocated for any skin color since the peel acts very superficially, with little complications or adverse effects. Understandably, the strongest chemical peels (phenol) increase the likelihood of complications and side effects. The best candidates for this deep treatment are people of fair complexion due to permanent lightening of the skin. This is the reason why people with dark complexions are not advised to undergo this operation.

Because phenol peels result in permanently lighter skin, they are not recommended for most patients with very dark skin tones, such as Mediterranean or Black skin. Phenol chemical peel treatment will induce post-inflammatory hypo-pigmentation (lightening) and/pr hyper-pigmentation (darkening) of the skin. This may lead to uneven pigmentation, which may manifest itself as a "blotchy" appearance, and also a visible line of demarcation where the treatment was performed may be visible. This renders the treatment counterproductive. Additionally, taking birth control pills, pregnancy, or a family history of brownish discoloration on the face may increase the possibility of developing this abnormal pigmentation.

If a deep peel is necessary, discussing the likely probability of change in pigmentation with the patient is best to ensure that when it occurs it is an acceptable result. It is usually necessary to do a test spot in areas other than the face, to evaluate the color changes that might occur from the chemical peel.

These effects are not certain for everybody, which is why it is absolutely necessary to consult your doctor or dermatologist about the most optimal treatment for you, particularly if you have dark skin.