Chemical peel??

Feb 4, 2015

Erica K.

I going to an esthetician in two weeks for a chemical peel. What would you suggest for mild to moderate melasma? What can I expect during and after the peel?  Thanks!!

Feb 4, 2015

Maggie F.

I've been researching chemical peels extensively. Check out the Vi Peel. It looks amazing! I've had Vivite peels before (mild peel) and they they didn't do much, no peeling even. Its a mild glycolic acid peel. The Vi peel has TCA, salicylic acid, Vit C, tretinoic acid, etc. I'm only holding off as there is a lot of peeling so I don't want the downtime. The results look good for melasma from the pics I've seen (I want it for acne and skin rejuvenation). I think a mild peel doesn't have much peeling at all, a moderate peel has pretty substantial peeling but it sounds like it's done in a week. I think you need a moderate peel to see substantial results. I'd also make sure to stop all products a week before the peel like retinol. I got a burn from the peel when I forgot to do this before a peel. Won't make that mistake again!

Feb 4, 2015

AJ M.

@Erica K
Are you aware of what type of Melasma you have, there are three types - epidermal, dermal, and mixed. Depending on what type you have, they each require different approaches. If you're aware of what type you have, I could offer some suggestions. I've been undergoing treatment for several months with laser, a less invasive laser due to very fair skin.

Feb 4, 2015

Traci L.

I do peels all day , you really need to know what peel the Esthetician your going to offers, we have to be certified for each peel we do so you can just go in and say I want this certin peel because they may not offer it , and for melasma , you really need a deeper peel a light peel won't offer much benefits , and if you do get a deeper peel you will have redness, peeling, and you need to be off all your topicals like retinol for two weeks , and each persons healing time is different some people take longer to heal.

Feb 5, 2015

Erica K.

I'm sorry, I meant I am going for a consultation. I do not know what kind of melasma I have. I've had it got about 6-7 years and am currently on hormone therapy. How do I determine the type?

Feb 6, 2015

AJ M.

If the Esthetician isn't certain how to check it does not have the required equipment, a dermatologist should be able to, perhaps even a doctor. They use black light to test. Shades vary from brown to bluish in melasma. Dermal is unchanged under black light, epidermal is more obvious under black light and mixed melasma is a mix of both dermal and epidermal. They each require a different approach for treatment.
Epidermal is the easiest to treat, creams and/or laser can recover the surface to its previous shade. Dermal is very hard to treat, it deeper under the skin and usually requires laser treatment. Mixed, you can get varied results. I was very lucky with who I'm currently working with, she was able to diagnose it (dermal) and is currently treating it, but it has taken time, over a year. But I have very fair skin and dermal melasma. The quicker you can determine your type, the sooner you can get it sorted and you're not wasting your time or money on peels or services that will not work and in some instances can make it worse. My apologies this is so long, I wanted to give you enough info.

Feb 6, 2015

AJ M.

Also, always wear a high SPF sunscreen, the sun can also make your melasma worse, either sunscreen or keep your face well shaded.

Feb 6, 2015

AJ M.

Also, laser is more effective than a peel because it's targeting the darker pigment and breaking it up. A peel will help your overall tone, texture, appearance. But depending on the color of your melasma, may be ineffective. I would discuss laser treatment as an option. Especially if it's dermal, a peel will not help.