Fraxel Repair Q&A
55%
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
View Before and Afters
Average Fraxel Repair Cost: $3,850
Learn about Fraxel Repair
689 people and 103 doctors are talking about Fraxel Repair
Get Free Email Updates
Hypo-pigmentation After Fraxel Repair
asked 3 years ago by crb101169 in Tulsa, OK
Latest answer by Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Question viewed 17,745 times
Tags: discoloration, erythema
I am 12 weeks post fraxel repair and still dealing with hyper-pigmentation issues that are slowly getting better. I recently got another opinion from another PS that is very experienced with CO2 lasers. I was there for another reason, so he was looking at my face with make-up; but, he said it looked like I was still dealing with some prolonged erythema and that the erythema could possibly lead to hypo-pigmentation. I understand that hypo-pigmentation is usually permanent. I am using Triluma for the hyper-pigmentation which tends to make my face more red. I'm so confused at this point. I do have some white patches that have been visible since the day after my treatment. I assumed they were areas that were skipped and never considered that they could be hypo-pigmented. Can hypo-pigmentation come on that fast? Should I lay off the Triluma until all of the redness goes away and then deal with the darker spots? While in the waiting room they had the Reliant video playing and it made my cringe. Their claims of "a few days of redness and no reports of delayed onset hypo-pigmentation" are ridiculous. There is no doubt I had some great improvement in some areas of my skin, but I feel like I traded them for other issues. I feel lucky that I didn't have more damage than I did.
4 answers to Hypo-pigmentation After Fraxel Repair
+9
The real story about Fraxel Re:pair
You have just found out the greatest lie in laser surgery and one that is unfortunately perpetrated by the laser companies to physicians and from physicians to patients. It makes me mad as well when I see the laser information that states recovery is that quick.
It simply isn't that quick if the physician does the laser with the goal of improving your wrinkles. If the recovery time is short, the results will be as well. So, hopefully your results will be good since you are experiencing...
more
+6
Prolonged inflammation can lead to pigment changes
To really answer this question, I'd need more information about your skin type and the settings used for your Re:pair treatment. In general, the healing time for an aggressive Re:pair will be weeks and not days. The redness can last for 2-3 weeks routinely, but if it persists beyond that, the risk of prolonged complications exist. The Triluma is only good for HYPERpigmentation, and the tretinoin may be adding to the redness. I'd discuss the possible need for a very brief course of...
more
+4
Hypo-pigmentation takes time to show
Hi c,
The area that you noticed immediately after your Fraxel re:pair treatment was likely undertreated as you suspected. Hypo-pigmentation takes some time to develop, at least enough time for the redness from the treatment to go away.
Certainly seek the advice of your treating physician regarding Triluma, but if it is making your skin more red, 12 weeks after your treatment, stopping should be considered when you have that discussion. Continued redness is a sign of inflammation. ...
more
+2
Hypopigmentation, Hyperpigmentation of the Face; Uneven Pigmentation from laser or scar
Permanent hypopigmentation is generally caused by irreversible damage to the melanocytes. This can occur as a result of an aggressive immune response or scarring. Inflammation generally causes a stimulation of melanocytes causing hyperpigmentation. Inflammation releases many cell mediators that act to stimulate cell response.
In the case of hypopigmentation after laser treatment, it is conceivable that the laser caused considerable damage to the melanocytes, but this is highly unlikely. ...
more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon