Can Oral Tranexamic Acid And Chemical Peels Be Used Together?

Topical skin care therapies typically combine multiple ingredients to deliver more impactful results. For example, a dermatologist might combine retinol with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and SPF to balance out the benefits and drawbacks of each ingredient. Oral tranexamic acid and chemical peels work well independently, helping clear the skin of spots and dark patches. However, when combined, their benefits and drawbacks can influence the results.

Before using oral tranexamic acid and chemical peels together, it is vital to know whether combination treatment is safe and if the results will be better than if you used only one.

Oral tranexamic acid uses

Dermatologists prescribe oral tranexamic acid to treat melasma and other hyperpigmentation conditions. Studies have shown it can effectively lower the MASI (Melasma Area and Severity Index) score by up to 69% when taken consistently for eight to twelve weeks (Tan).

As an oral medication, it works as an effective adjuvant to topical treatments like hydroquinone, hyaluronic acid, and retinol. However, due to its action on cellular processes within the dermis, extra caution should be exercised when using it with some types of chemical peels that also target the dermis.

Chemical peel uses

During a chemical peel, a skin surgeon or dermatologist applies a chemical solution like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or trichloroacetic acid to the skin (Soleimani). After some time, the skin blisters and exfoliates (peels), giving way to a smoother, healthier, and less damaged layer of skin beneath.

Chemical peels can be superficial, medium, or deep, depending on how far they penetrate into the skin. Superficial peels target only the epidermis (outer layer of the skin), while medium and deep ones target the dermis (the layer beneath the epidermis).

While superficial chemical peels can be used with other treatments, more caution is needed when considering medium and deep chemical peels.

Should You Use Oral Tranexamic Acid And Chemical Peels Together?

Oral tranexamic acid and deep chemical peels target the same layer of the skin, the dermis. Although scientists know how each treatment works, they do not yet fully understand their full impact on the skin. As such, it is vital to speak with a skin specialist such as the board-certified dermatologists to get a professional evaluation before using them together.

References

• Soleymani T, Lanoue J, Rahman Z. A Practical Approach to Chemical Peels: A Review of Fundamentals and Step-by-step Algorithmic Protocol for Treatment. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(8):21-28.
• Tan AWM, Sen P, Chua SH, Goh BK. Oral tranexamic acid lightens refractory melasma. Australas J Dermatol. 2017;58(3):e105-e108. doi:10.1111/ajd.12474

Share this Article

Brandon Kirsch, MD

Brandon Kirsch, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in clinical drug development and medical innovation. He is the founder of Kirsch Dermatology in Naples, Florida and is also the Chief of Dermatology at the Naples Community Hospital.