Our brown pigment, melanin, gives us our specific complexion. However, sometimes it creates deposits in our skin cells that turn into dark spots. This could happen due to too much time spent in contact with UV rays but the process of aging (‘’liver spots’’) could lead to this as well. Whatever the cause may be, this condition affects people of all races and ages and causes a lot of distress. Chemical peels are one of the solutions that give immediate results and we have chosen some of the best peels for hyperpigmentation curing.
Lactic Acid 50% Gel Peel by Perfect Image
The perfect image started its research in 2006 with the aim of helping its customers feel better both from the outside and the inside. They have been working towards finding the best ingredients and perfectly balancing their ratio so that their consumers’ confidence is boosted by splendid outlook. Their Lactic Acid 50% Gel Peel is just one of the outcomes that came out of their effort to create flawless products by using latest technologies.
The peel contains ingredients such as botanical extracts of bearberry and licorice,kojic acid and green tea and cucumber. Licorice and bearberry have a natural ability to whiten the skin while green tea and cucumber have vitamins that will protect your skin from free radicals, primary enemies of your skin. The benefits of kojic acid were firstly discovered by the Japanese who found it in special mushroom. It is a natural hydroquinone alternative.
This product is definitely not for beginners. It is a medium peel which is why it is recommended that you prepare your skin with a level 1 peel beforehand. Apply it no more than 2 times per week. Each time leave the peel up to 5 minutes on your face and be aware that this will depend on how sensitive your skin is.
Therefore, you’ll have to closely observe your skin. Stinging and redness are ok but if they’re too persistent you should stop the treatment completely. Scrubbing your face prior to the procedure will help you loosen the dead cells and follow this up by applying some alcohol on your face with a brush. This will add the ingredients from the product penetrate easier into the skin.
Customers report the feeling of tightness of their skin as well as drastic improvement in dark spots. This happens due to lactic acid’s power to stimulate new cell turnover and collagen production that is imperative for a good-looking skin. Acne scars, blackheads, and wrinkles can also be dealt with this single product.
If you are unsure about how this product will affect your skin, you’re better off asking your dermatologist for some advice. The doctor will pinpoint the exact type of your skin and the root of your skin problems and prescribe you with an appropriate treatment. This is not a superficial treatment, after all, and it can cause more harm than good with ill management.
Pros:
- Has additional uses besides fixing the hyperpigmentation.
- Has only natural ingredients.
- Licorice and bearberry will naturally whiten the dark spots.
- It has kojic acid which is a great alternative for hydroquinone.
- Lactic acid is there to stimulate collagen production.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid Skin Resurfacing Therapy by Divine Derriere
Divine Derriere is situated in the USA but distributes its products all over the world. With carefully picked ingredients and modern technology, they have given quick and astonishing results to millions around the world.
Their Alpha Hydroxy Acid Skin Resurfacing Therapy is injected with lactic acid, retinol, green tea, and chamomile. They all work in synchrony and form a great combo that battles not only hyperpigmentation but also wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Together they lead to the rejuvenation of your skin by providing it with new glow and brighter, fresher color.
The product is made for professionals and people experienced at using peels. The preparatory process for the peel involves thorough skin cleansing. The burning sensation you’ll get while the product is on your face is pretty normal and you’ll have to put up with it for at least 30 seconds. Once you’re over with the procedure, don’t forget to put the sunscreen and avoid the sun a week after as you can get sunburns.
What sets this product apart from the one previously mentioned is the retinol that makes the product currently being discussed better at targeting wrinkles. However, if your only concern is hyperpigmentation, then both of the products, are legit
Pros:
- Enhanced with retinol that is good at curing wrinkles.
- The product has green tea and chamomile that will pack up the protection of your skin with layers of protection against UV rays and bacteria.
- The skin will feel tightened and soft.
25% TCA Chemical Peel by Skin Obsession
After multiple failures with many pricey drugstore products that promised miracles, the founder of the Skin Obsessed Company decided to come up with an original formula that would address all the skin issues we start noticing as we get older and we wish we didn’t. Their 25% TCA Chemical Peel is one of their best products, simple yet effective which will leave you stunned with quick and long-lasting results.
The content of the formula doesn’t entail numerous ingredients. There’s only distilled water and Trichloroacetic Acid. It comes with the instructions which are easy to follow. However there is some essential safety information as well: people with herpes, keloid scars, who are breastfeeding, pregnant or are using Accutane aren’t advised to use this on their own accord and should consult their doctor.
This peel is very invasive and is not suggested to beginners. You’ll have to use it carefully because inaccurate management can lead to burns. The TCA in this peel has a medium-level strength and penetrates much deeper than the lactic acid that is present in some of the products mentioned here. Therefore, if your skin is extremely sensitive, we recommend not using the peel by Skin Obsession as it could cause you extreme redness, itching and burning and recovery could last longer than usual. For this type of skin lactic acid-based peels are much better. Believe Cleopatra who used only sour milk that contains lactic acid in her skin care.
We can’t really find any major flaws to this product. There are some side-effects to it but they usually do come out after application of any product alike, especially if you do it improperly. Don’t forget to do a patch test that would tell you whether your skin is suited for the particular treatment. You’ll definitely see the improvements in dark spots however it does not help that much with other skin imperfections which are a shame.
Pros:
- Simple yet effective formula.
- The formula goes deeply into the skin.
- Very effective against hyperpigmentation.
Cons:
- It is not really multifunctional like some other peels here and is generally for hyperpigmentation only.
TCA 15% Gel Peel by Perfect Image
This is another great product by Perfect Image that is for those who would like to start with a lower amount of TCA in the product. This is especially good for people who are beginners at this and want to try this out at home instead of going to the dermatologist.
TCA is famous in the industry of peels and it targets epidermal and dermal areas of the skin. It works as an exfoliator and removes damaged layers of skin. Salicylic Acid that the product is injected with unclogs your pores and kills off the bacteria that cause the breakouts. Green Tea and Chamomile extracts are the ones that will provide your skin with an extra protective layer that will ward off inflammation, bacteria and other factors that could possibly have a bad impact on your skin.
As with any other peel, your skin needs to be well prepared for this one too. Clean your face well and put some alcohol on it so that the effect of the peel itself comes out even more dramatic. Remember to avoid the areas around your eyes and nostrils. Some distinct results should be there after the first treatment, however, the full effect can be seen after trying it 2-3 times. Your skin will probably peel off, feel a bit stingy and maybe even swollen. The recovery lasts for up to 10 days. During this time you should avoid going out in the sun and sunscreen will be a great aid to avoid sunburns when you do have to leave your home.
Salicylic acid is what distinguishes beginner-friendly. If you are up for a product that will clean your face in great detail and have you free from both hyperpigmentation and bacteria that could cause other problems this is the right product for you. Remember that TCA is pretty aggressive so if you have a gentle skin you should consider consulting a doctor. A patch test is, by all means, obligatory not only before this peel but also any other similar treatment As these people have less TCA than others, it may not bear results for some which are the only problem we find with the product.
Pros:
- The salicylic acid will annihilate bacteria.
- TCA will destroy dead skin cells.
- Chamomile and Green Tea will alleviate the irritation the acid can cause.
Cons:
- It actually may be too mild for some skin types.
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Glycolic Acid 50% Gel Peel by QRxLabs
QRxLabs made a success by trying to synchronize science and natural ingredients. Their focus on the quality of products turned out to be fruitful and their Glycolic Acid 50% Peel is just one of their most popular facial products on the market.
Glycolic acid in it will stimulate collagen which will contribute to wrinkling reduction and an improvement in any sort of discoloration including the hyperpigmentation. It also has green tea and chamomile extracts that can counteract the possibly irritating impact of glycolic acid on your skin.
The peel has many other additional benefits such as reducing acne and acne scars, pimples and can even-out your skin tone. However, you have to be very careful with the product. After having your face well cleaned put the peel on your face with appropriate equipment and wait 3 minutes maximum. The peeling of the skin will happen after 2 days and the healing process lasts for 7 days. In the course of the healing period, you’ll have to apply sunscreen and avoid going out a lot.
Compared to other products this one is based on the glycolic acid that is more suited for wrinkle fighting while, for example, lactic acid is the one that is better at dealing with hyperpigmentation. Therefore, have a good look at your skin and see exactly what you want to get rid of.
Pros:
- Glycolic acid will stimulate collagen and skin renewal that will fade out the dark spots.
- Chamomile and Green Tea are there to take care of inflammation and bacteria.
Cons:
- Glycolic acid may be the least powerful against dark spots out of all the ones here.
Buyers’ guide
Before choosing a peel for yourself, you have to know several rules in order to pick the right peel. As we can see, many of the peels here are based on lactic and glycolic acid. These 2 work in a pretty similar way, but yet they each of them has their ‘’field of expertise’’.
The molecular structure of glycolic acid lets it penetrate so deep in our cells that it triggers collagen production and many other processes that plump up our skin. This means that they are more suited for fine lines. On the other hand, lactic acid helps the skin retain the hydration. They’re much less irritating than glycolic acid and can be used in somewhat increased amounts.
Salicylic acid is also a great type of acid for face among AHA’s that promotes sloughing off dead skin cells which reveal new skin, lighter tone, and stronger shine.
Some of the products here are also rich in TCA. This is non-toxic chemical, a relative of vinegar, that has been used to break down dead skins cells for 20 years. Many dermatologists nowadays still use TCA’s in combination with prescription creams in hyperpigmentation treatment. They prefer it over lasers especially when it comes to melisma.
Doing a patch test before a peel will show you the best which acid you should use. If you prefer products that contain a lot of ingredients coming from nature herself then we recommend the first one mentioned here by Perfect Image. It is not only rich in some basic peel ingredients such as lactic acid but it also has kojic acid that is great hydroquinone alternative. If you’re pro-retinol and vitamin A, the second one by Divine Derriere is the one for you. It contains lactic acid, retinol, chamomile and green tea which together present an invincible mixture. The 3rd, TCA based peel on the list is probably the most suitable for people in need of a single spot treatment.
Finally, the last peel here by QRxLabs is for those of you in need of comprehensive, in-depth face treatment. Glycolic acid may be slightly less powerful than the others but this doesn’t mean it is not effective, so you just need to give it some time to work.
All in all, the peel choice heavily relies on your goal. When it comes to hyperpigmentation, in particular, all of the products are effective at their own pace and in their own way. The only thing you’re left to do is to investigate thoroughly what sort of ingredients is the ‘’cup of tea’’ for your skin so you prevent irritations and further complications.
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