Will Photofacials Make Dark Spots Worse Before They Get Better?

I bought 6 photofacials @ American Laser Skincare. I did the VISIA complexion analysis before my photofacials & had a score of 45% on UV spots & a 67% on brown spots (less than 50% is bad, over 50% is good). After 3 photofacials, my scores went DOWN to 26% on UV & 36% on brown spots! They said the photofacials were bringing the sun damage up to the surface of my skin & would get rid of it. Should I complete my 3 remaining treatments?

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2 Doctor Answers | Asked by Denver CO girl

Doctor Answers (2)
Community Comments (2)

Photofacial

The photofacial may cause dark spots to become darker. Over a period of 1-2 weeks, these darker spots should "flake" off. It is important to wear a good sunscreen as well.

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Trust what you see

The Visia is a tool to show patients their skin damage. But what really matters is what you see. If you feel that your skin is improving with the treatments then by all means continue them. However if what the VISIA tells you is correlating with what you see- meaning if you feel you LOOK worse then do not continue. There really is no such thing as "bringing your sun damage to the surface" that I have ever heard of. Either you look better or you don't. After all-... more

Comments (2)

Denver CO girl 26 Sep 2012

Thanks for your answer. I have now had 5 photofacials, I figured since I already paid for 6 and they won't give me my money back, I'd better use all 6 to see what happens. I can not tell a visual difference AT ALL just by looking at my face, which is why I'm using the VISIA to tell me if anything is happening. I did have the "coffee grounds" that slouffed off, but only got those with 2 of the 5 treatments. I still have slight freckling/sun spots in the same places and I don't see them lightening. I still get the VISIA analysis each month, about 3 weeks after each photofacial. My scores continue to decline. I have one more that I paid for on 10/23/12. I spoke to the manager Sarah, who said she would give me free photofacials until my scores went up from what they were before I started. Do you recommend doing that or just giving up?

Megan P (Community Manager) 26 Sep 2012

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