What laser to use to remove dark freckles/age spot/sun damage? Is IPL best for freckle removal? (Photos)

From the very start of your question, "What laser to use...", rather than "Which treatments are best", it is clear that industry backed marketing hype for this or that laser or IPL device has worked its magic on you. The fact that you didn't like the way the laser healed the last time by leaving you with white spots in place of the darker ones should have sent off alarm bells. I personally have been very disappointed in IPLs, as well as relatively expensive laser treatments, including fraxels, finding them a whole lot more supported by device manufacturer backed marketing hype than hard science. Frankly, you are likely to do quite well with tried and true, relatively inexpensive treatments consisting of a series of superficial chemical peels (full strength glycolic acid, Jessner's solution, full strength salicylic acid or low strength (10-25%) TCA), which typically do not engender pigmentary problems in people of color coupled with the regular, at-home use of prescription bleaching creams containing such ingredients as hydroquinone, arbutin, kojic and glycerrhizic acid and sunscreens. Before pinning your hopes on the next highly touted, supposedly latest and greatest light or energy device, you would do well to seek consultation and treatment by a board certified aesthetic physician and be sure to ask to see his/her before and after photos. Best of luck to you. 

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for the pictures.  I believe the Picoway Tattoo Removal would serve well, along with microneedling/PRP to help minimize the appearance the spots.  You would need a series of treatments to see improvements; along with a post-maintenance program of Laser Genesis to help sustain results. Best wishes.