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Acne-Scar Peel Safe For Dark Skin

The technique of medium-depth chemical peel is safe and effective in treating acne scars of people with dark skin.

This was the conclusion of a study undertaken by Makram Al-Waiz MBChB, Ddsc, PhD of the Department of Dermatology, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq. Fifteen dark-skinned patients were treated with a medium-depth chemical peel, a combination of Jessner's solution followed by the application of 35% trichloroacetic acid. Most patients received the full three-session regimen and had either atrophic saucer or crater-like acne scars or the pitted (ice-pick) form. The mean age of patients who entered the study was 28 years.

Said Dr Al-Waiz, "Improvement occurred in all except one of our patients". Improvement was significant (less than 75 percent clearance of lesions) in 6.6 percent of patients (1/15). Improvement was moderate (51-75 percent clearance of lesions) in 53.3 percent of patients (8/15). Improvement was mild (26-50 percent clearance of lesions) in 26.6 percent of patients (4/15). One patient- 6.6 percent - had minimal improvement and one patient - 6.6 percent - had no response.

The responses of the four patients who had mainly pitted scars and deep atrophic scars varied from moderate down to no response. The other 11 patients had mainly atrophic scars of moderate depth. Nine had transient post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. In two of these patients, the post-inflammatory hyperpigamentation was preceded by erythema that lasted for more than 1 month.

Said Dr Al-Waiz, " All patients were free of noticeable pigmentation three months after the final peel. Patients in whom hyperpigamentation did not develop were of light brown complexion".
Dermatologic Surgery 2002; 28(5):383-387. "Medium-Depth Chemical Peels in the Treatment of Acne Scars in Dark-Skinned Individuals"

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