555 PROCEDURE GUIDE

Depigment Protocol — Step-by-Step Clinical Application Guide for Practitioners

5-Agent Combo Peel Self-Neutralizing · 3–5 Hr Contact Fitzpatrick III–V

Product Overview

prodermic® 555

Depigment Protocol · 5-Agent Combo Peel

Type	5-Agent Combo Peel
Total Active	5-agent combination
Size	30ml jar
Yield	~24 sessions per jar
Fitzpatrick	III–V
Peel Depth	Superficial

Active Composition

Arginine

Mandelic

Kojic

Lactic

Glycolic

Mechanism of Action

Agent	Mechanism
Arginine	Amino acid and nitric oxide precursor — enhances microcirculation and active ingredient delivery to pigmented areas. Accelerates cellular repair in pigment-damaged skin.
Mandelic Acid	Lipophilic AHA with large molecular weight — slower, more even penetration avoiding patchy results common with glycolic-only systems. Broad-spectrum antibacterial. Works well across oily and dry zones.
Kojic Acid	Chelates copper ions required for enzymatic melanogenesis, providing sustained pigment-blocking action at the tyrosinase level.
Lactic Acid	Hydrating exfoliation with ceramide synthesis support. Strengthens skin barrier while promoting controlled desquamation of pigmented keratinocytes.
Glycolic Acid	Surface-level exfoliation — disrupts corneocyte cohesion to accelerate turnover of hyperpigmented superficial layers.

Clinical Indications

Deep Pigmentation

Fitzpatrick III–V

Stubborn Melasma

Patient Selection & Pre-Procedure

Ideal Patient Profile

Stubborn post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) unresponsive to standard glycolic/lactic protocols
Patients needing cellular repair alongside depigmentation
Deeper pigmentation that needs amino acid-enhanced delivery for better active penetration
Fitzpatrick skin types III–V (formulated for darker skin tones)
Patients with stubborn melasma requiring multi-mechanism depigmentation

Contraindications

DO NOT TREAT IF

Active skin infections in the treatment area
Compromised skin barrier (eczema, dermatitis flare)
Pregnancy or breastfeeding (consult physician)
Oral isotretinoin use within the last 6 months
Topical tretinoin/retinoid use within 72 hours of session
Open wounds, cuts, or abrasions in the treatment area
Known allergy/sensitivity to any of the active ingredients (arginine, mandelic acid, kojic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid)

Pre-Procedure Patient Preparation

Skin Assessment: Evaluate skin type, pigmentation depth and distribution, melasma pattern, and prior peel/depigmentation history to determine suitability.
Sun Exposure: Advise patient to avoid direct sun exposure for at least 1 week prior.
Discontinue: Stop topical retinoids 72 hours before. Stop AHAs/BHAs 48 hours before.
Informed Consent: Discuss expected outcomes, downtime (3–5 days of peeling/flaking), self-neutralizing nature (patient washes off at home), and possible side effects.
Photography: Take standardized baseline photographs under consistent lighting. Use a Wood’s lamp if available to assess pigment depth.

Step-by-Step Procedure

KEY: SELF-NEUTRALIZING FORMULA

prodermic 555 is a self-neutralizing peel. It is applied in-clinic and the patient leaves with the peel on. The peel self-neutralizes over 3–5 hours. The patient washes it off at home after the contact period. No in-clinic neutralization is required.

Cleanse & Degrease

Cleanse the treatment area with a gentle, non-residue cleanser. Remove all makeup, sunscreen, and surface impurities. Then degrease the skin using a pre-peel degreasing solution (e.g., glycolic prep, acetone, or alcohol prep) applied with gauze or cotton pads. Wipe across the entire treatment area to ensure uniform acid penetration.

Degreasing contact: 1–2 minutes. Wipe clean. Allow skin to dry for 30 seconds before proceeding.

Patch Test (First Session Only)

For the patient's first session, perform a mandatory patch test. Apply a small amount of prodermic 555 to the post-auricular area (behind the ear). Wait 10 minutes and observe for signs of excessive irritation, burning, or allergic reaction.

If the patient shows no adverse reaction after 10 minutes, proceed with full application. If irritation occurs, do NOT proceed — remove product immediately and consider a milder protocol.

Apply prodermic 555

Using a fan brush, apply a thin, even layer of prodermic 555 across the entire treatment area. This is a 5-agent formula with a unique arginine component that enhances blood flow and delivery of the depigmenting actives. Work systematically:

Forehead: Apply in horizontal strokes from center outward
Cheeks: Apply from the nose outward toward the ears — focus on pigmented patches
Nose: Apply evenly across the bridge and sides
Chin: Apply in upward strokes
Upper lip: Light, thin application (sensitive area, common melasma zone)

Use approximately 1–1.25ml of product per full-face application. Avoid the periorbital area (around eyes), lips, and nostrils. Pay extra attention to hyperpigmented areas but maintain even coverage for uniform results.

Observe Initial Response (5–10 Minutes)

After application, observe the patient in-clinic for 5–10 minutes to ensure no adverse immediate reactions. Mild warmth and slight tingling are normal and expected. The mandelic acid provides a gentler onset than glycolic-dominant peels.

Mild warmth + tingling: Normal — this is the expected initial response from the multi-acid formula
Moderate stinging: Monitor for 2–3 more minutes; usually subsides as the peel begins self-neutralizing
Severe burning or swelling: Remove product immediately with cold water

Once you confirm tolerance, the patient is ready for discharge with at-home instructions.

Discharge with At-Home Instructions

Once the initial observation is complete and the patient shows no adverse reaction:

Leave the peel on: The patient leaves with the peel on their face
Contact time: Instruct the patient to leave it on for 3–5 hours
Wash off at home: After 3–5 hours, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until all residue is removed
Apply a soothing recovery moisturizer immediately after washing
No other actives or makeup for the rest of the day

Provide the patient with written or WhatsApp post-care instructions before they leave. Schedule next session in 14 days.

Post-Peel Soothing (At Home)

After washing off the peel at home:

Pat skin dry gently — do not rub
Apply a thick, bland recovery moisturizer or balm generously
Do not apply any actives, serums, or makeup until the next morning
Sleep on a clean pillowcase

Mild redness post-wash is normal and will subside within a few hours. The skin may feel tight — this is expected as the depigmentation process continues.

Early Removal & Adverse Reactions

INSTRUCT PATIENT TO WASH OFF IMMEDIATELY IF

Severe burning or pain that does not subside or is escalating
Excessive redness or swelling beyond mild warmth
Hives, welts, or allergic reaction signs
Blistering or skin breakdown
Inability to tolerate the sensation

Emergency Removal Steps (At Home)

Rinse the treatment area thoroughly with cold water until all product is removed
Continue rinsing until all tingling/burning completely stops
Apply a thick, bland moisturizer (no actives)
Apply a cold compress for comfort if needed
Contact the clinic immediately to report the reaction
Document the reaction — reduce contact time or consider a milder protocol for the next session

PATIENT COMMUNICATION

Ensure the patient has the clinic's WhatsApp/phone number before leaving
Advise them to send a photo if they notice anything unusual
Mild warmth and tightness are normal — reassure the patient
If in doubt, instruct them to wash it off early — better safe than sorry

Post-Procedure Care Instructions

Provide these instructions to the patient (verbal + printed/WhatsApp):

Day 0 (Day of Procedure)

Leave the peel on for 3–5 hours as instructed
Wash off thoroughly with lukewarm water
Apply recovery moisturizer immediately after
No other actives, no makeup for the rest of the day
Sleep on a clean pillowcase

Days 1–2 (Tightness Phase)

Skin will feel tight, dry, and may appear slightly darkened — this is expected
Cleanse with a gentle, soap-free cleanser twice daily
Apply a thick, bland moisturizer or recovery balm 3–4 times daily
Apply SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen every 2–3 hours if going outdoors
Avoid direct sun exposure, saunas, steam rooms, strenuous exercise
Do NOT pick, pull, or scrub — even if skin feels rough

Days 3–5 (Peeling Phase)

Visible flaking and peeling typically begins around Day 3
Do NOT pick, pull, or force peeling skin off — let it shed naturally
Continue moisturizer 3–4 times daily + SPF 50+
Pigmented areas may peel more visibly — this is a positive sign of the depigmentation process working

Days 5–7 (Recovery Phase)

Peeling should be mostly complete by Day 5–7
Continue moisturizer + SPF 50+
May resume light makeup once peeling is complete
Continue avoiding harsh actives (retinoids, AHAs, BHAs) until Day 7

Days 7–14 (Between Sessions)

Maintain strict sun protection (SPF 50+, physical avoidance) — critical for depigmentation outcomes
Can resume normal skincare routine
Consider prescribing maintenance depigmenting serums between sessions for continued pigment suppression

Expected Peeling Timeline

Day 0

Application

Applied in-clinic, wash off at home after 3–5 hrs

Day 1–2

Tightness

Skin feels tight, may darken slightly

Day 3–5

Peeling Phase

Visible flaking & shedding

Day 5–7

Fresh Skin

Fresh, brighter skin visible

Day 14

Next Session

Repeat protocol

Treatment Program

Parameter	Recommendation
Total Sessions	4–6 sessions (assess at session 3)
Session Interval	14 days between sessions
Contact Time	3–5 hours (self-neutralizing, washed off at home)
Downtime	3–5 days peeling/flaking per session
Full Program Duration	2–3 months (4–6 sessions at 14-day intervals)
Product per Session	Approximately 1–1.25ml (full face)
Yield per Jar	~24 full-face sessions from one 30ml jar
Maintenance	1 session every 4–6 weeks after initial program, or as needed

Progressive Protocol Guide

Adjust contact time progressively across sessions based on patient tolerance:

Session	Contact Time	Notes
Session 1	3 hours	Conservative first exposure. Assess skin response and tolerance the next day.
Session 2	3–4 hours	Increase if Session 1 was well tolerated with no adverse effects.
Session 3	4 hours	Assess clinical depigmentation results so far. Adjust protocol if needed.
Session 4+	4–5 hours	Maximum contact time. Do not exceed 5 hours.

Expected Outcomes

After Session 1: Visible lightening of superficial pigmentation. Skin appears fresher with improved luminosity.
After Session 2–3: Noticeable improvement in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation patches. More even skin tone emerging.
After Session 4–6: Significant reduction in deep pigmentation and melasma. Clearer, more uniform complexion with restored radiance.

Set realistic expectations: Deep, longstanding pigmentation (melasma, dermal PIH) may require the full 6-session program and ongoing maintenance. Sun protection compliance is critical — any UV exposure between sessions can reverse depigmentation progress.

Full Ingredient List

Arginine, Mandelic Acid, Kojic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Liquorice Extract, Tea Tree Extract