One of the first things your doctor should do during a proper consult would be to take a thorough history from you and examine your skin to assess if you truly have PIH, a combination of PIH and other pigmentary disorders, or a completely different pigmentary condition altogether. PIH can be caused by a wide variety of skin conditions, and it would be important to control the underlying condition too. This may also affect your response to treatments.
If you truly have PIH, current first-line treatment is a medical-grade depigmentation cream, such as hydroquinone, for 8-12 weeks. This cream can be found in many medical and aesthetic clinics. Sunscreen is also a first-line therapy and it’s use should not be forgotten too.
Chemical peels and/or lasers are considered second-line therapy; to be used as adjuncts, with medical-grade creams. There are a wide variety of chemical peeling agents available, in various concentrations. It is important to use a peel suitable for your skin type in an appropriate concentration.
You may want to speak to your doctor about your response to chemical peels so far and see what he/she suggests. I would probably add on a medical-grade topical cream and use a combination of chemical peels and lasers for best results.
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Dr. Joanna Chan
