580 PROCEDURE GUIDE

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

Yellow Peel · Combo Peel Requires Neutralization · 10–30 Min Contact (Titrated) Fitzpatrick III–V

Product Overview

prodermic® 580

Melasma Protocol · Yellow Resurfacing Peel

Type	4-Agent Combo Peel
Total Active	4-Agent Combination
Size	30g jar
Yield	8–10 sessions per jar
Fitzpatrick	III–V (with priming for type V)
Peel Depth	Superficial to Medium

Active Composition

Retinol

Glycolic

Lactic

Kojic

Mechanism of Action

Agent	Mechanism
Retinol	Accelerates epidermal turnover, disperses melanin, inhibits tyrosinase activity
Glycolic Acid	Disrupts corneocyte cohesion, enables controlled desquamation of pigmented layers
Lactic Acid	Gentle exfoliation with built-in hydration, supports even penetration
Kojic Acid	Chelates copper required for tyrosinase activity, blocking melanin synthesis

Clinical Indications

Primary

Melasma

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Secondary

Solar Lentigines

Photoaging

Blotchy Pigmentation

Uneven Skin Tone

Patient Selection & Pre-Procedure

Ideal Patient Profile

Hormonal or solar melasma (epidermal or mixed type)
Stubborn post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Blotchy, uneven hyperpigmentation
Fitzpatrick skin types III–V
Patients who have not responded adequately to superficial peels alone

Contraindications

DO NOT TREAT IF

Active dermatitis, eczema, or any active skin infection in the treatment area
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Oral isotretinoin use within the last 6 months
Topical tretinoin/retinoid use within 72 hours of session
Open wounds, cuts, or compromised skin barrier
History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring
Known allergy/sensitivity to any of the active ingredients
Recent laser/IPL treatment within 2 weeks
Active herpes simplex in treatment area (consider antiviral prophylaxis)

Pre-Procedure Patient Preparation

Priming (Recommended for First-Time Patients): Consider 2 weeks of topical retinoid (0.025–0.05%) at home to condition skin for the peel, especially for Fitzpatrick V.
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 (3–7 days of peeling/flaking), number of sessions needed (4–6), and possible side effects.
Photography: Take standardized baseline photographs under consistent lighting.

Step-by-Step Procedure

IMPORTANT: THIS PEEL REQUIRES NEUTRALIZATION

prodermic 580 is NOT a self-neutralizing peel. It must be neutralized in-clinic after the prescribed contact time (10–30 minutes, titrated). Neutralize with a neutralizer solution or cold water.

The contact time is titrated based on the patient's skin response. The practitioner must monitor the patient throughout and neutralize at the appropriate endpoint.

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 580 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 — neutralize immediately and consider a milder protocol (e.g., prodermic 565).

Apply prodermic 580

Using a fan brush, apply a thin, even layer of prodermic 580 across the entire treatment area. Work systematically:

Forehead: Apply in horizontal strokes from center outward
Cheeks: Apply from the nose outward toward the ears
Nose: Light application down the bridge and across the tip
Chin: Apply in upward strokes
Upper lip: Light, thin application (sensitive area)

Use approximately 3–4g of product per full-face application. Avoid the periorbital area (around eyes), lips, and nostrils. If treating specific focal areas only, apply to those areas alone.

Monitor & Titrate (10–30 Minutes)

After application, stay with the patient and continuously monitor the skin response. The contact time is titrated based on the endpoint signs you observe:

Mild erythema + slight warmth: Continue — this is the expected initial response
Uniform pink erythema: Good endpoint for first-time / sensitive patients (typically 10–15 min)
Moderate erythema + frosting spots: Optimal endpoint for experienced patients (typically 15–25 min)
Intense erythema or patient discomfort: Neutralize immediately regardless of time elapsed

Typical contact time: 10–15 min for first session, up to 20–30 min for subsequent sessions based on tolerance. Never exceed 30 minutes. Always err on the side of caution — you can increase time in the next session.

Neutralize the Peel

Once the desired contact time has elapsed or the clinical endpoint is reached, neutralize the peel immediately. You may use either method:

Neutralizer solution: Apply a sodium bicarbonate-based neutralizer generously across the entire treatment area using gauze or cotton pads. You may observe slight fizzing (acid-base reaction) — this is normal. Leave on for 1–2 minutes, then wipe clean.
Cold water: Rinse the treatment area thoroughly with cold water until all product residue is removed and all sensation stops.

After neutralization, gently pat the skin dry. Confirm all product has been fully removed. The skin should feel clean with no residual tingling.

Post-Peel Soothing & Discharge

After complete neutralization:

Apply a soothing recovery moisturizer or balm generously to the treated area
Apply SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen if patient will be exposed to sunlight
Provide the patient with printed or WhatsApp post-care instructions
Schedule next session in 25 days

Mild erythema post-neutralization is normal and will subside within a few hours. Advise the patient not to apply any active products for the rest of the day.

Early Neutralization & Adverse Reactions

NEUTRALIZE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU OBSERVE

Severe burning or pain that does not subside or is escalating
Excessive/intense erythema (deep red) beyond expected mild-to-moderate pink
Visible edema or swelling in the treatment area
Urticaria or wheals appearing during contact time
Patient distress — patient cannot tolerate the sensation
Allergic reaction signs — hives, spreading redness beyond treatment area

Emergency Neutralization Steps

Apply neutralizer generously across the entire treatment area using gauze or cotton pads (or flush with cold water if neutralizer is not immediately available)
Leave neutralizer on for 1–2 minutes — slight fizzing (acid-base reaction) is normal
Wipe off and repeat if necessary until all tingling/burning stops
Rinse thoroughly with cold water
Apply soothing barrier cream or recovery moisturizer
Apply cold compress if needed for comfort
Document the reaction — reduce contact time or consider a milder protocol (e.g., prodermic 565) for the next session

Post-Procedure Care Instructions

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

Day 0 (Day of Procedure)

Peel is neutralized and removed in-clinic before patient leaves
Recovery moisturizer applied in-clinic post-neutralization
No other actives, no makeup for the rest of the day
Do not wash face again until the next morning — let the recovery balm work
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+
Peeling may be more intense around the nose, chin, and forehead — this is normal

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 7–25 (Between Sessions)

Maintain strict sun protection (SPF 50+, physical avoidance)
Can resume normal skincare routine
Consider prescribing maintenance serums between sessions for continued depigmentation support and anti-recurrence maintenance

Expected Peeling Timeline

Day 0

Application

10–30 min contact, neutralize in-clinic

Day 1–2

Tightness

Skin feels tight, dry, darkened

Day 3–5

Peeling Phase

Visible flaking & shedding

Day 5–7

Peeling Ends

Fresh, brighter skin visible

Day 25

Next Session

Repeat protocol

Treatment Program

Parameter	Recommendation
Total Sessions	4–6 sessions (assess at session 3)
Session Interval	25 days between sessions
Contact Time	10–30 minutes (titrated, neutralized in-clinic)
Downtime	3–7 days peeling/flaking per session
Full Program Duration	4–5 months (4–6 sessions at 25-day intervals)
Product per Session	Approximately 3–4g (full face)
Yield per Jar	8–10 full-face sessions from one 30g jar
Maintenance	1 session every 4–6 weeks after initial program, or as needed

Progressive Titration Guide

Increase contact time progressively across sessions based on patient tolerance:

Session	Contact Time	Notes
Session 1	10–15 minutes	Conservative first exposure. Assess skin response and tolerance. Neutralize at first sign of moderate erythema.
Session 2	15–20 minutes	Increase if Session 1 was well tolerated with no adverse effects.
Session 3	20–25 minutes	Continue increasing if good tolerance. Assess clinical results so far.
Session 4+	25–30 minutes	Maximum contact time. Do not exceed 30 minutes.

Expected Outcomes

After Session 1: Brightening, smoother texture, and visibly faded dark spots.
After Session 2–3: Visible lightening of pigmented areas. More even skin tone emerging.
After Session 4–6: Significant improvement in melasma/PIH. Clearer, more uniform complexion.

Set realistic expectations: Melasma is a chronic condition. The 580 protocol achieves significant improvement but melasma may recur without maintenance (sun protection + topical serums + periodic peel sessions).

Full Ingredient List

Retinol, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Kojic Acid, DM Water, Emulsifying Wax, Liquid Paraffin, Sodium EDTA, Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Perfume