Are Brown Spots and Freckling Permanent After Laser Hair Removal?

asked 1 year ago by laft in grafton, MA
Latest answer by Gregory S. Keller, M.D., FACS
Question viewed 1,345 times
Tags: brown spots, freckles

I have some brown spots on my face after a laser hair treatment a few days ago. Are these permanent? What remedies can I employ to reduce their appearance?

5 answers to Are Brown Spots and Freckling Permanent After Laser Hair Removal?

Pigmentation and laser hair removal

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a condition in which the pigment in your skin increases as a result of inflammation or healing. This usually shows up not days but weeks after a trauma to the skin. If some temporary bronzing or flaking occurs the dead skin cells can look darker than usual but the skin left behind normally is not pigmented. You would need to be examined to tell better what your situation is and it would be helpful to know what laser it was and your... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Brown Spots after Laser After Laser Hair Removal

Seeing brown spots so soon after treatment means they most likely will disappear fairly quickly. Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation does not usually occur so quickly but takes longer to resolve. Give it time and the color should fade.

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

You probably need to wait and see.

Brown spots this soon after laser hair removal probably represent treatment of pre-existing brown spots on the face. The laser light is absorbed by the pigment within the freckle or other area of pigment, causing it to darken. On the other hand, you probably should be sure to follow up with your treating doctor to have him assess the situation and take a post treatment look at your pre-treatment photos to see what was there before the treatment.

Gregory S. Keller, M.D., FACS
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Laser Hair Removal and dark spots immediately afterwards

The spots appearing so early may mean that this represents bruising so it may go away in about a week. You should use sunscreen every day and wash your face gently with mild soap and cool water. Don't use skin lightening products on this. Your skin is more susceptible to additional injury immediately after the LHR. Hope you are better by now!

Beverly Johnson, MD
Washington Dermatologic Surgeon

Brown spots a few days after laser hair removal

The brown spots on your photo look like freckles that darkened after laser hair removal. The brown spots/freckles also contain melanin, like hair does. When a light source like IPL for example hits a brown spot, the pigment in the brown spot darkens initially, then breaks down into coffee grounds, then disappears. I would wait probably two weeks or so before deciding whether anything needs to be done about the brown spots. They may disappear on their own. These... more

Emily Altman, MD
Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

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