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Is It Normal for Freckles to Turn Darker After Laser Hair Removal?

asked 2 years ago by Giselle2912 in England
Latest answer by Bruce Katz, MD
Question viewed 2,237 times
Tags: chin, lips, dark, freckles, upper lip

I had my first treatment of Laser hair removal on my upper lip and chin yesterday. I have noticed that the freckles on above my lip and chin have gone much darker, and now are a very dark brown. Is this normal, and will it fade?

3 answers to Is It Normal for Freckles to Turn Darker After Laser Hair Removal?

+1

Darkening of freckles and moles after Laser Hair Removal

This sometimes happens, but it is temporary. The laser is attracted to pigment (color), so it sometimes goes after freckles and moles. This is why we don’t want any sun exposure or anything that changes the pigment of your skin. You may want to use a hydroquinone “lightening cream” on the area or triluma cream. Please consult with your physician regarding the creams, most of the time you need to stop using it prior to your next laser treatment.
Bruce Katz, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Darkening of skin after Laser Hair Removal

It is possible for existing freckles to become darker after laser hair removal. However, this is usually temporary. For quick resolution you should avoid any further treatments at this time and avoid sun. You can also use a lightening cream such as Triluma (by prescription) and it will fade away faster. Regards
Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Normal for freckles to turn darker after Laser Hair Removal

Freckles and even moles will sometimes darken after laser hair removal. This is temporary, and then the darkened skin will usually fall off, leaving either no freckle at all, or a significantly lighter freckle. Alexandrite hair removal lasers can be 'tuned' by your physician to focus on hair removal or pigment/freckle removal, but both will happen when these lasers are used since the settings have some overlap. Most likely your freckles will 'fall off' in a few days. The important thing... more
Anne Marie McNeill, MD

Newport Beach Dermatologist

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