Little Brown Dots All Around Mouth After Photofacial

Just got a photofacial done yesterday, to try & help 2 brown spots I have on either side of my nose. Dr. said he thinks its melasma & that 6-8 treatments will help clear it up. This morning when I woke up I had brown marks all around my upper/ lower mouth. Looks like dirt/ mustache, its awful, & make- up did not cover it up. Never had any problems in this area before- will this go away? ? Should I go back for another treatment, scared its going to make it worst/ darker??

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mouth brown spots

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3 Doctor Answers | Asked by 2330anon in Canada

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Photofacial

For melasma, we generally recommend hydroquinone 4% cream with tretinoin 0.05% cream. Photofacial treatment will generally help to improve sun damaged skin, however with melasma it is usually not recommended.

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Photofacial

For melasma, we pretreat all patients with HQ 4%, Kojic Acid 2%, and Retin-A for 4-6 weeks prior to treatments. We use light therapy as a last resort and use chemical peels first to minimize what you describe, PIH or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. I would not get more light therapy until you speak with a Board Certified Dermatologist or Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Normal reaction

You are likely having a typical good response to IPL for brown shallow discolorations like lentigos/photodamage. Typically, these turn brown-gray after treatment and look more like pepper granules as they "wear off" the skin over the next week. Since you are only 1 day out, I would not get too excited about this being post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can occur after IPL treatment. It is possible, but you likely have had a good reaction. Good luck!... more