Fraxel Laser Hyperpigmentation, Will Hydroquinone Topically Help to Fade the Pigmentation?

I got a fraxel restore a month ago. a day after the treatment, I had horrible white head break outs. I was really red for two weeks and the redness slowly getting better now. The problem now is that my whole face is darker than I was before, which is a sign of hyperpigmentation. The PA, who did the treatment, wants give me IPL. she said it will be very mild but I dont want to risk anything since im getting engaged in two months. can I instead use hydroquinone topically to fade the pigmentation?

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hyperpigmentation hydroquinone

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2 Doctor Answers | Asked by dkwon in San Diego, CA

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Fraxel Laser

Hydroquinone works very slow, and you will need probably 2-3 months to see any real benefit. IPL is not the answer now either. I would use sunscreen spf 30 or more, a Titanium or Zinc base, and avoid the sun or excess heat to the face.

Post laser hyperpigmentation treatments -what's the right answer?

The classic treatment for post-laser hyperpigmentation is the application of 4% hydroquinone twice daily. Usually over a few weeks, the hyperpigmentation will clear except in resistant patients. This assumes you have no allergies. One caution, the medicine is somewhat oily and can promote some breaking out. Some doctors will combine this with a lower potency topical steroid like 1% hydrocortisone to reduce the inflammation that precipitated the hyperpigmentation in... more