Payman Simoni, MD

Any laser or chemical resurfacing can causes skin darkening and discoloration that show up as spots, or as large patches on face or body. This is because cells that normally produce brown pigment of your skin go into overdrive. This happens because of an inflammatory.

Although this side effect can occur in all skin types, it is more common in people of Africa, Asia, Latin, and indigenous Indian background.

This increase pigmentation will in many cases fade over time on its own. However, there are treatments available that can speed up the process.

Treatment:

Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone products can be purchased by prescription at 3% to 4% concentrations. One scientific study demonstrated that 80% of individuals who used a 4% hydroquinone product combined with glycolic acid had an improvement in their PIH after 3-months time.

Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid products are available over the counter and are also used as a treatment for PIH. These products work by gently exfoliating (removing) the upper-most layer of the skin and the dark marks with it.

Chemical Peels
Chemical Peels are a more intensive treatment used in cases of more persistent PIH or to hasten the lightening effects of the topical prescription products. Peels work by exfoliating the upper-most layer of your skin and the dark area with it.

Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure in which fine crystals are sprayed onto the skin’s surface to gently sand away the upper-most layers of the skin. As with chemical peels, microdermabrasion works by exfoliating the upper-most layer of your skin and the dark area with it. This procedure is particularly well suited for individuals who have sensitive skin (many individuals with brown skin) or those who have had a previous reaction to a chemical peeling agent.