Why Causes Discolored Pigment from Laser Facelift?

I understand that a laser facelift is a non-invasive procedure, but what causes the discoloration of pigment? Why is this a rare side effect?

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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Discolored Pigment from Laser Facelift

You may be referring to a type of 'face lift' that uses a liposuction-like laser cannula under the skin to give energy to the skin to stimulate collagen production (i.e. Smart lipo, Cool lipo). These lasers can cause bruising as they may cause some bleeding and spilling of blood pigment under the skin

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Laser Facelift

The “laser facelift” is actually one of several different procedures, some of which are certainly oversold. The bottom line is, any laser applied to the skin can have as a risk factor skin discoloration. While the incidence of these complications has dropped with newer more advanced techniques for laser.

Pigmentation changes after laser resurfacing

This is not really rare at all. If you are too aggressive you will get hypopigmentation or loss of pigment. Inflammation, in general in the skin, will lead to hyperpigmentation and this is a natural reaction. This is more common in people with dark hair and lighter skin, ie a difference in the pigmentation of the skin and hair. This can be treated though. see video

Philip Young, MD

6 reviews

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Laser Skin Resurfacing is not a Facelift

The discoloration of the skin is due to the release of melanin caused by the thermal injury of the skin cells during laser skin resurfacing. However, the more important point here is not to confuse laser skin resurfacing with a facelift. Laser skin resurfacing can cause some tightening of the skin, which means it affects solely the skin of the face in 2 dimensions. When I perform facelift surgery, I am not merely tightening the skin. I am also repositioning the soft tissues... more

Laser Facelift is not a Facelift

Your question illuminates several misconceptions about facelifts and laser procedures. They are completely different, and accomplish different things. Facelifts essentially reposition the sagging or descending soft tissues of the face and/or neck. In the process, the skin is tightened and wrinkles are reduced. There are many variations on how this is accomplished and the very best results are an artistic balancing of both of these changes that produce a natural and pleasing rejuvination... more

Laser is not a Facelift

Laser skin resurfacing is done by multiple techniques. Most common are the fractional CO2 lasers these do resurface the skin and tighten certain areas but not like a facelift. Laser facelift is a misnomer and I would find out exactly what the surgeon has in mind? When discussing the discoloration of pigment it seems that you must be referring to a laser resurfacing technique as they effect the melanin in the skin and may cause pigmentation. This is typically taken care of by pre treating... more

Michael Elam, MD

83 reviews

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

michaelelammd.com

What is a Laser Facelift

When it comes to different facelift techniques, one has to be very clear about what is meant. For instance, the combination of laser, facelift - and non-invasive would be incorrect or at least misleading. Some doctors use a laser during the facelift with unproven benefit. Others resurface the skin during a facelift. And then there are doctors that call a laser resurfacing (conventional or fractionated) a facelift. My recommendation for my patients is to determine your goals and choose... more

Laser resurfacing not quite a facelift.

Thank you for your question. A surgical Facelift is an invasive procedure and involves incisions, healing and recovery. This is different from Laser treatment. See below. Laser resurfacing, fractional and otherwise, with a CO2 Laser is an ablative procedure that removes layers of your skin. Fractional Laser only remove a percentage of the skin surface by basically drilling holes in the skin. This does tighten the skin some but does not accomplish the tightening that can be... more

Pigment issues after Laser facelift

I am not sure what your laser facelift is but.....fractional laser treatments or co2 laser can stimulate the melanin or pignment cells during healing.. this can cause hyperpigmentation or dark spots. pre treatment and post treatment of the skin with medications such as hydroquinones can diminish this problem

Laser peel is not a facelift

A facelift is a 3-dimensional reshaping of the face while a laser peel will smooth and tighten the skin. It does this by removing the surface layer of the skin, or by drilling thousands of microscopic holes as in fraxel. As the new skin forms, the cell that make picment are part of the healing process and can become more active than normal. This leaves more pigment but can be controlled with topical treatments.