Chemical Peels for Darker Skin Types
One common question that I get asked at THE MED SPA® is, “Can I still get a chemical peel even if I have darker skin?”. My answer is always yes, BUT with discretion. The harsh truth is that unfortunately not all chemical peels or even laser treatments can be used on darker skin. Some treatments can temporarily and even permanently damage darker skin type. A few of these side effects can be scarring, uneven skin tone, or permanent hyperpigmentation. In other words, you are getting the exact opposite of your intended results. No need to worry though 😄. The purpose of this blog post is to provide you with a more clear direction on which procedures might be right for your skin type and what types of precautions you should take! 👌🏻
What is a Chemical Peel?
If you didn’t get a chance to read “3 WAYS TO ADDRESS SUNSPOTS & HYPERPIGMENTATION AFTER SUMMER”, I’ll give you a quick summary of how a chemical peel procedure works. Typically, an acid solvent is applied to the skin in areas with hyperpigmentation, melasma, dark spot, blotchy or scarred skin, dull skin, and large pores. The skin cells that are damaged or dead are able to slowly “peel” off. The goal of this process is to be left with lighter, and more rejuvenated looking skin! We also make it our objective at THE MED SPA® to leave no blemishes or flaws in the final results.
Why Do We Need to be Careful with Darker Skin?
Chemical peels have the potential to wreak havoc on darker skin tones if they aren’t administered properly. In fact, darker skin tones are more susceptible to scars and discoloration due to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The patches could get even darker the more they are exposed to sunlight.
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is caused by damage in the dermis (the upper middle layer of the skin). Most patients opt for the medium chemical peel which targets and peels this exact layer. Thankfully, we have an alternative (more on that below).
What Precautions are Taken for Darker Skin?
As mentioned above, a huge priority of ours is that you finish your procedures with minimal, if any, imperfections in your skin once the healing process is complete and a fresh layer of skin has emerged. In order to stay true to that objective, we need to make sure that extra measures of care are taken…
How it Works
After an initial consultation, we may have patients with darker skin spend a few extra weeks preparing for the treatment. Once she has carefully evaluated the patient’s skin type and aesthetic goals, Dr. Kamii, DNP will usually recommend a few specific products to use at home. They will contain ingredients that are much the same to that of the peel. This will prime and prepare the skin for what is to come. Think of it like running a marathon 🏃♀️. You aren’t going to just show up on race day and run 26+ miles with no prior training (especially not without SPF 😂). You would have gradually built up your running distance and speed over the course of a few months. Much like you need to gradually work your way up to run a marathon, your skin treatments need to be eased in just the same way (at a much smaller scale, and with way less perspiration 😅).
We also choose a peel that is most suitable for your complexion. In most cases, a light chemical peel works best. This peel targets just the very surface level of the epidermis. In some rare instances, a medium chemical peel could work. This would target the epidermis and the dermis. We would never recommend a deep chemical peel for darker complexions, though. This type of peel would peel even past the dermis, potentially leaving a host of problems.
Additionally, we recommend that you take extra time in between treatments. If our patient is looking to have multiple treatments, we are extra careful with how much time is allotted in between the peels. In some cases, we even wait up to a full month!
Am I a Good Candidate for a Chemical Peel Treatment?
Most patients with darker skin types are a good candidate for a mild chemical peel when administered by a medical professional. Again, pre/post treatment steps are necessary to ensure positive results without causing any damage to the skin. We’d love to help you figure out what treatment works best for your particular skin type! 😃 Book an appointment with The Blonde Injector now!