Can I Use Active FX or Fraxel:repair on the Dorsal Surface of my Foot to Remove Hyperpigmentation?

What you have is possibly post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hemosiderin staining caused by leaking capillaries or veins. If you use an aggressive fractional carbon dioxide laser like the Fraxel Repair or Active FX you may stimulate more pigmentation that potentially could look a lot worse than what you have now. In my hands, the best treatment for this has been repeated treatments with low fluence Q-switched 1064nm tattoo removal lasers such as the VersaPusle or... more

Hello Adam. We would not recommend either of the lasers you suggest. Neither are ideal for pigmentation and both would create healing issues when used on an area like the surface of the foot. These are ablative technologies that are better used for issues of texture than color. We also would not recommend IPL as this lesion looks like it could be a birthmark. Using IPL could make the mark darker. For hyperpigmentation, birthmarks and other types of pigmented... more

For hyperpigmentation in general I recommend using an IPL (Intese Pulsed Light) laser as well as topical hydroquinone 4% treatment. It seems that this hyperpigmentation is likely due to sun damage. Carbon Dioxide lasers such as Active FX and Fraxel would probably worsen the situation.