Fraxel side effects - What causes pigmentation side effects and are they permanent?
I had three fraxel treatments done starting february, march, and april - all went well - but last month i noticed spots on the sides of my cheeks - now i am reading about pigmentation which was never mentioned by my doctor - is this a common side effect and do these spots usually go away or they for ever? They were never there before fraxel. What could cause this?
Answers (2)
How to treat hyperpigmentation side effects from Fraxel
Any laser or chemical resurfacing can causes skin darkening and discoloration that show up as spots, or as large patches on face or body. This is because cells that normally produce brown pigment of your skin go into overdrive. This happens because of an inflammatory.
Although this side effect can occur in all skin types, it is more common in people of Africa, Asia, Latin, and indigenous Indian background.
This increase pigmentation will in many cases fade over time on its own. However, there are treatments available that can speed up the process.
Treatment:
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone products can be purchased by prescription at 3% to 4% concentrations. One scientific study demonstrated that 80% of individuals who used a 4% hydroquinone product combined with glycolic acid had an improvement in their PIH after 3-months time.
Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid products are available over the counter and are also used as a treatment for PIH. These products work by gently exfoliating (removing) the upper-most layer of the skin and the dark marks with it.
Chemical Peels
Chemical Peels are a more intensive treatment used in cases of more persistent PIH or to hasten the lightening effects of the topical prescription products. Peels work by exfoliating the upper-most layer of your skin and the dark area with it.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure in which fine crystals are sprayed onto the skin’s surface to gently sand away the upper-most layers of the skin. As with chemical peels, microdermabrasion works by exfoliating the upper-most layer of your skin and the dark area with it. This procedure is particularly well suited for individuals who have sensitive skin (many individuals with brown skin) or those who have had a previous reaction to a chemical peeling agent.
Sun protection AFTER Fraxel is essential
Fraxel has been a great success story in the quest for skin rejuvenation with little downtime. The laser targets water in the dermis to stimulate collagen production and it also removes microscopic islands of epidermis improving discoloration. It can be used in all skin types, but the energy settings must be decreased for darker skin or those prone to pigmentation. Deep heating can lead to inflammation that can stimulate pigmention, especially in darker skin types. No matter what your skin color, the use of a broad spectrum SPF and avoidance of direct, intense sun is imperative to prevent pigmentation and to maintain the benefit from your treatments. Pigmentation can usually be improved with the use of presciption retinoids and bleaching agents in conjunction with sun avoidance.




11/16/08
i have a problem with the fraxel laser.. E everytime i go for the treament my treated area get leave a pigment. it my 3 one now but the doctor say come in for another one, the nurse told me that i would see the affect on the 4 treament.. I have a tan complexion. and i don't really know that i should get another treament since i see no result of getting rid of the hyperpigmention.