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Skin Darkening Around the Lips and Chin Area After Fraxel Dual

I am Asian and had Fraxel dual 8 days ago to remove some brown spots located on the side of my face and some freckles on my cheek. Right after the procedure, my skin was oozing and when I got home, about 4-5 hours later, started crusting (Not what I expected). Now 8 days later, after my skin has completely peeled off, my chin and skin around my lips are darker. I am using Obagi Nu-Derm Clear bleaching cream as recommended by the doctor. Will this skin darkening effect go away? Is this normal?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by Orange County CA517 in Orange County CA

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Darkening of the skin post laser is a common risk for ethnic skin

The Obagi system should help. Be sure to incorporate a sun block with titanium or zinc oxide (if you use a sunscreen remember that it takes about 30 minutes to become effective). Fraxel Dual is a pigmentation-specific laser and is best suited to superficial pigment problems on white skin. Ethnic skins have a much higher risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). PIH results when skin with high natural pigment levels is heated up or injured. The body senses the injury and sends in... more

Give it time

Most of the hypergigmentation after these lasers fades with time. A sunscreen is a MUST. Hydroquinones and retinoids will help as well. If any irritation develops while using these your dermatologist might have you use 1% hydrocortisone for a short time.

Darkened areas after Fraxel laser therapy usually disappear with time

Darkened areas after Fraxel laser therapy usually disappear with time. Hydroquinone based treatments like Obagi will generally help.

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Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation following Fraxel Laser

Thanks for the question. By your description, its possible that you're describing a condition called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is darkening of the skin secondary to your laser treatment. Additionally, lesions of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation can darken with exposure to UV light and various chemicals and medications. Several topical treatments are available to treat epidermal postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, with varying degrees of success. These... more

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Age Spots Treatment: Q&A

Skin Darkening Around the Lips and Chin Area After Fraxel Dual