Chemical peels by nature involve a risk of complications, and even more so when used in patients with skin of color. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, FAAD, Skin of Color Update’s program development advisor, spoke about safe and effective chemical peels for skin of color.
As outlined in a Medscape article about the session, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd recommends a conservative approach to chemical peels in patients with darker skin tones, including proceeding in a series of peels spaced four weeks apart. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says getting patients on-board with an extended treatment plan can be a challenge as most patients are looking for quick results. She recommends dermatology clinicians discuss expectations with their patients to determine whether alternative modalities would better achieve the patients’ treatment goals. If a patient with skin of color decides to proceed with a treatment plan that involves chemical peels, she recommends taking clinical photographs at each treatment to document change as the benefits typically appear gradually over time.
In order to reduce complications, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd also recommends clinicians stick to a limited number of products so that they have adequate understanding and clinical experience with the products they use. She also recommends having a neutralizer and cleanser readily available; patients may fail to stop using a retinoid in advance of a chemical peel and forget to say so, resulting in excess peel penetration. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says patients who pick at their skin or those who do not protect their skin from the sun or avoid sun exposure should not undergo chemical peels.
For more on chemical peels, including a live demonstration, register for one of our sister conferences, the Pigmentary Disorders Exchange Symposium, which will be held in Chicago on June 6 and 7. Sessions will address the use of superficial, medium-depth and deep chemical peels in patients with pigmentary conditions, including melasma and hyperpigmentation.
