Laser Resurfacing Q&A
66%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
108 Reviews
Laser Resurfacingbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Laser Resurfacing Cost: $2,093

Learn about Laser Resurfacing

707 people and 303 doctors are talking about Laser Resurfacing

Get Free Email Updates

Will CO2 Laser Treatment Under Eyes Cause Loss of Pigment?

asked 1 year ago by 6186anon in New Jersey
Latest answer by Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD
Question viewed 834 times
Tags: under eyes, hypopigmentation, upper lip

I am fair skinned and want to have CO2 laser under my eyes and on upper lip. Will I see a lose of pigment in those areas. I am afraid of looking like a racoon. Thank you.

6 answers to Will CO2 Laser Treatment Under Eyes Cause Loss of Pigment?

+1

Hypopigmentation unlikely

Hypopigmentation or loss of pigment under the eyelids is something that is feared by many patients. We have all seen people walking around with lighter circles around the eyes or mouth from an old resurfacing treatment.  Most lasers these days are fractionated or ultrapulsed (meaning super fast) so the risk of hypopigmentation is extremely rare.  Talk with your physician and see what type of laser they offer
Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Pigment and resurfacing

Any type of resurfacing (Laser, Chemical peel, or Dermabrasion) will cause a degree of hypo-pigmentation or loss of pigment to the skin. The way that I explain this to my patients is that this is a cause an effect issue. In order to have less wrinkles, you have to give up some pigment of your skin. The less wrinkles you want, the more pigment you sacrifice. The problem is not when you do your full face. The problem is when you only do segments. Doing segments makes it a lot harder to... more
Gustavo A. Diaz, MD

Charlotte Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Loss of pigment from laser

If you have ablative non-fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing there is a chance that you can develop delayed (one year after) long term lightening of pigment. This tends not to happen with ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser such Fraxel Repair.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

CO2 laser treatment to face

Using any laser whether it is CO2 or erbium may cause changes in pigmentation especially if you only treat isolated areas. You may be better off treating the entire face.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pigmentary issues with CO2

Hypopigmentation after laser therapy can be a permanent complication. The CO2 wavelength is especially prone due to thermal collateral damage. However, the CO2 wavelength also is very good at removing wrinkles and tightening the skin. There are some less aggressive alternatives such as an Erbium or fractionated CO2 lasers.
John Burns, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

CO2 laser treatment under eyes cause loss of pigment

This is an informed consent issue. There is a possibility that de pigmentation will occur after CO2 laser therapy. This should be explained to you prior to the treatment. From MIAMI Happy 4th Dr. B
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question