Hydroxy acid peels, otherwise known as chemical peels, are often used as a skin hyperpigmentation treatment.  Often received under the supervision of a doctor or an aesthetician, it can range from mild to slightly invasive.

Typically, chemical peels intended for use as a skin hyperpigmentation treatment are carried out in three sessions, applied with a one month interval each.  At their most basic, they help shed off damaged skin cells (which can cause skin hyperpigmentation), facilitating cell turnover rate, apart from tightening the skin by improving the thickness of the dermis.

Aestheticians are usually only allowed to apply mild skin peels.  For higher strengths and more severe hyperpigmentation problems, consumers will need to be treated by a dermatologist.  Note that stronger chemical peels for use as skin hyperpigmentation treatment can cause second-degree burns so it’s important to consult a qualified physician for one.

Most skin peels will use either one of the following active ingredients to facilitate the skin hyperpigmentation treatment:

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

These water-soluble agents help remove hyperpigmentations and photo damage, with little risk of inflammation.  Irritation and a burning sensation should be expected during the treatment, especially when applying physician-strength doses.

Beta Hydroxy Acids

More popularly used for chemical peels designed to smoothen wrinkles, they are rarely used as a skin hyperpigmentation treatment on their own, although some dermatologists employ them along with a bleaching agent for great results.

If you have darkened areas on your skin as a result of sun-damage, injuries or just bad genes, skin hyperpigmentation treatment can effectively clear it into your desired complexion.  The most common and frequently-tried treatments usually involve bleaching, with the chosen skin lightening agent depending largely on the severity and cause of your hyperpigmentation.

If you only have slightly darkened areas, bleaching agents that effectively lighten skin are usually attempted as the first skin hyperpigmentation treatment.  Hydroquinone, an active agent that blocks new melanin production while your skin goes through exfoliation (either natural or chemical-assisted), is popularly used, both on its own or mixed with other chemicals.

Hydroquinone-based bleaching agents can be obtained over the counter (in weak doses) or prescribed by a dermatologist (for stronger formulations).  Do note that hydroquinone has been banned in several countries due to its suspected carcinogenic properties when used in high amounts.

Kojic acid is another bleaching agent frequently used for skin hypergimentation treatment.  A natural chemical, it is generally considered to be safer than hydroquinone, while facilitating capable melanin-blocking properties.  Many modern skin lightening products are kojic acid-based and can be bought over-the-counter.

African-American skin treatment, for the most part, should be the same as other skin care regimens.  There are some variations, though, especially when it comes to discoloration - a common problem among African Americans.

Brown skinned people usually have larger melanosomes, the cells which are responsible for giving our skin its color.  As they are larger, they usually contain more melanin, which facilitates great protection against sun damage.  However, the same larger melanosomes can cause post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation, which can leave dark areas on the skin after they are wounded or developed certain lesions (such as acne).

For African American skin, treatment can be difficult for this hyper-pigmentation, with some taking weeks or months to fade away even with active medication.  Common African American skin treatments for this problem include bleaching agents, microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

Vitiligo is another common problem that may require a specific African American skin treatment.  Under this condition, pigment cells damaged, leading to white patches on the skin.  The cause of vitiligo is not certain although most dermatologists believe it to be an autoimmune process.  Because the extent of pigment loss varies from one person to another, sufferers should consult a dermatologist immediately to determine the proper African American skin treatment.