Does laser treatment cause more pigmentation after sun exposure?

Doctor's Answers 3

Thank you for your question. It is unfortunate that you have more pigmented spots after the laser treatment.

Based on your description, you might have had a Fractional Resurfacing laser like a Fractional CO2.

There is a small risk of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) from these procedures. However, most PIH is temporary and would fade in 4-6 weeks.

I suggest that you schedule an early appointment for review by your doctor so that he can institute early treatments.

There are treatments such as pigmentation creams that should be started earlier rather than later to ensure good outcomes.

Hope that this helps!

Warmest regards,

Dr Justin Boey

It is best that you return to your doctor who has performed laser resurfacing for you to ascertain if there is PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) as he/she will be most familiar with settings etc used.

Most PIH as Dr Justin Boey has pointed out is temporary but may take up to months to resolve, depending on individual's skin type.

If it is indeed PIH, initial treatment resulting in it should be stopped and the following may help to speed up its recovery:

1. Pigmentation reduction creams- e.g triluma, hydroquinone

2. Gentle chemical peels- e.g Jessner's or Glycolic acid

3. Lasers at low energy settings

4. Oral Tranexamic Acid

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Dr David Deng

I can fully understand your worrying concerns on the increased pigmentations after your laser treatments.

From your brief description, one possible reason for your case could be post-inflammatory hyperpigmentations (PIH for short) after the laser treatment. PIH usually will fade but it may sometimes take several months or longer to do so, especially for the darker skin types.

Treatment modalities for PIH include topical lightening creams, chemical peels and pigmentation lasers, while sun protection measures are also equally as important.

So I would recommend you to first verify with your doctor what exactly are the increased pigmentations you are having, and the treatment options available for you.

Hope this helps!

Cheers!

Dr David Ng C H

Similar Questions

What is the best treatment for pigmentation and depressed acne scars in Singapore? Do topical creams for acne scars work?

1)acne scar with crater, firstly, need to assess if the skin has healed well before a gentle subcision of the the crater scar. This is followed by a resurfacing, best by a fractional resurfacing laser. Otherwise a spot chemical peel will do well too. often multiple sessions will be needed for both laser and chemical peels. 2)pigmentation it can be many types of pigmentation, from freckles to Post-inflammatory pigmentation(PIH) to moles. pigment laser work well for freckles, but there is down time for 3-5days. PIH can be treated with nonablative laser and creams.

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Aesthetic

What is the best treatment for clogged pores in Singapore, and how much does it cost? Are beauty salons allowed to perform laser treatments?

Clogged pores are better treated with salicylic acid chemical peels and/or medical facials with dermabrasion (with salicylic acid solution) as a first-line treatment. Beauticians are not equipped or allowed to perform those procedures or lasers. It is not expensive to do those treatments at a doctor’s clinic. You will be surprised that sometimes, the beautician charges higher than a clinic for their procedures!

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