Which skin treatment is most likely to cause hyperpigmentation in predisposed skin?

Chemical peels are known for their ability to deeply exfoliate the skin and remove damaged layers, which can greatly enhance skin appearance and texture. However, in individuals with predisposed skin, particularly those with darker skin types, chemical peels can provoke a condition known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This occurs when the skin reacts to the treatment, leading to an overproduction of melanin in some areas.

This risk of hyperpigmentation is associated with factors such as the type of chemical agent used, the concentration, and the depth of penetration into the skin. If the treatment is too aggressive for a person with sensitive or darker skin, it can lead to uneven skin tone as the skin heals. Therefore, understanding an individual's skin type and history is crucial when recommending chemical peels, as not all skin types respond in the same way to such treatments.

Conversely, other treatments like microdermabrasion, facials, and laser resurfacing also warrant caution but tend to have different risks associated with them or can be more controlled in their approach, making them less likely to cause hyperpigmentation in predisposed skin when properly administered.