Cosmelan Peel

Cosmelan is a two-phase professional depigmentation system, not a traditional peel. Phase one is an in-clinic application of the Cosmelan 1 mask, which you wear for 8 to 12 hours and remove at home. Phase two is a months-long at-home protocol using Cosmelan 2 maintenance cream. Together, they target enzymatic pigment production, support exfoliation of pigmented surface cells, and help reduce recurrence. This is typically offered with strict home-application guidance and follow-up.

Cosmelan may be appropriate for clients with melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH from acne or injury), sun spots, chloasma, or persistent uneven skin tone. It is used in professional protocols across Fitzpatrick skin types, with treatment intensity and home-care pacing adjusted after consultation. Cosmelan is not suitable for clients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have active skin infections, or have used isotretinoin (Accutane) in the past 6 months. A thorough consultation with your clinician will confirm your candidacy before any treatment is planned.

Yes, the peeling between days 3 and 7 is an expected and necessary part of the Cosmelan protocol. The exfoliating actives in the Cosmelan 1 mask shed the melanin-loaded surface cells, creating space for fresher, less pigmented skin beneath. The intensity of peeling varies by skin type and mask wear time but is typically described as moderate: visible flaking and tightness, not raw or weeping skin. Most clients plan their social commitments around this window and work from home during peak peeling days. Using only the approved gentle kit products during this phase protects the barrier and supports a smooth recovery.

The standard protocol includes one in-clinic Cosmelan 1 mask application followed by 3 to 4 months of at-home Cosmelan 2 maintenance cream. Most clients benefit from ongoing follow-up because response and pigmentation pathways vary by hormonal profile and skin type. For some, a second in-clinic session may be considered after the follow-up cycle. Ongoing skin care and UV discipline support long-term stability.

Cosmelan is commonly used in professional protocols for Fitzpatrick types I through IV. For types V and VI, a modified protocol may be considered and must be discussed thoroughly during your consultation. The risk with darker skin types is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from the treatment itself if the protocol is too aggressive, which is why wear time customization and a conservative introduction to Cosmelan 2 are essential. At Rani, we take Fitzpatrick typing seriously and will not proceed with treatment on any skin tone without a full consultation and an individualized plan that prioritizes safety and realistic expectations.

The Cosmelan Peel is $1,399 per session (90 min in-clinic application), which includes the Cosmelan 1 mask treatment, your aftercare kit, and your follow-up progress appointment. The at-home Cosmelan 2 maintenance cream is included in your protocol plan. Financing is available through Cherry and PatientFi with no credit impact pre-qualification. Call us at (425) 539-4440 to schedule your consultation and confirm your candidacy.

It is commonly called a peel, but Cosmelan is more accurately described as a professional depigmentation method. A standard peel exfoliates the surface and is finished when the skin heals; Cosmelan adds a regulating phase — months of Cosmelan 2 maintenance cream — intended to manage the overproduction of pigment that causes spots to return. That ongoing phase is why the protocol is scheduled and reviewed over months rather than delivered as a single visit, and why your clinician stays involved after the mask comes off.

The manufacturer notes Cosmelan can be used year-round, but the lower-UV months of late fall, winter, and early spring are the gentler window in the Pacific Northwest — fewer long sunny days makes the strict SPF 50+ discipline easier to keep. Starting in summer is possible with real commitment: daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, reapplying through the day, hats and shade, and avoiding prolonged midday exposure. Your clinician will talk through the season you are actually in and what your outdoor routine looks like before setting a start date.

There is no honest fixed number. Durability depends on the type of pigmentation (melasma driven by hormones tends to be more persistent than sun spots), your UV exposure, and how consistently you follow the maintenance phase. The realistic framing: Cosmelan can produce visible, meaningful improvement in uneven pigment, and disciplined home care with daily SPF 50+ is what protects that improvement over time. Some clients add maintenance peels or adjust their home routine at follow-up visits. Your clinician reviews your response at the 4-to-6-week check-in and plans the next phase from there.

Hormonal medications are one of the recognized triggers for melasma, so this is an important disclosure at your consultation rather than a reason to self-disqualify. If a hormonal contraceptive or hormone therapy is part of your life, the hormonal stimulus for pigment can remain active during and after the protocol, which your clinician will factor into expectations, timing, and the maintenance plan. Do not stop or change any prescribed medication on your own — bring the full picture to your visit and let the consultation weigh it.