What Laser Best for Freckle Removal?

There are several options for pigment removal using laser devices. These options in IPL, alexandrite, ruby, pulsed-dye, KTP, Nd:YAG, and picosecond lasers. I’m sorry to hear that IPL did not work for you, but often it’s the settings and treatment technique that determine the outcome not necessarily just failure of the device. The best device depends on many factors such as your skin type, the type of freckle you have, your previous treatment record, and how your skin reacts to laser energy. For assessment of these factors and design of an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your needs, it’s best to see a specialist trained laser surgeon. Good luck!

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

True freckles are very superificial skin lesions of focal pigmentation and therefore doesn't usually require extremely invasive laser procedures. Most of my patients see significant improvements after IpL/BBL for standard freckles and age spots (solar lentigenes).  If you did not respond well to IPL either the settings were not ideal for freckles, you didn't have enough treatments performed, or it's something other than freckles that you are looking to have treated.
There are other lasers on the market that are great for targeting freckles including the picosecond lasers, non-ablative and hybrid lasers, all of which have realtively less downtime than ablative resufacing lasers.  The ideal choice for you would depend upon your skin type, the location/depth of the picgment, and all prior treatments. See a laser specialist in person to get your best recommendations and good luck.