Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER Laser Resurfacing REVIEWS

Using Liquid Nitrogen to Get Rid of Brown Spots/Sun Damage - Anaheim, CA

Name: Using Liquid Nitrogen to Get Rid of Brown Spots/Sun Damage - Anaheim, CA
Item: Dr. Jeffrey Hicks
Rating: 5
Author: Misty H.

ORIGINAL POST

I have brown spots on my forearms, lower legs and...

Misty H.November 3, 2013

$30

I have brown spots on my forearms, lower legs and shoulders. I have been considering laser to get rid of them but the Dermatologist suggesting spot treating with liquid nitrogen first. Then we can see what is left and use a laser if desired.

We used a conservative approach because if you go too deep with the liquid nitrogen it can leave a small white spot.

The procedure only took a matter of minutes. It stung a little here and there so there very minor discomfort. I am now 5 days post treatment. As expected I have a bunch of small red spots where the brown spots were. Some are a bump and others are smooth. I expect to take a few weeks to heal from these so I will be wearing long sleeves and pants for while. Here are pictures.

Misty H.'s provider

Dr. Jeffrey Hicks

Misty H. ratings

Overall rating

Doctor's bedside manner

Answered my questions

Time spent with me

Staff professionalism & courtesy

Payment process

Wait times

Dr. Hicks was friendly and personable. He answered my questions. He likes to take the conservative approach which appealed to me because I wanted to minimize the risk of getting small white scars where the liquid nitrogen was used.

Replies (9)

Misty H.

November 8, 2013

At day 5 the really red spots have all changed to brown scabs. Today at 9 days after some of the scabs have been coming off. I now just see pink skin where the scabs were. So far it looks like the brown spots are gone. I am looking forward to the rest of the scabs coming off and the pink fading. So far so good.

Musie

November 19, 2013

Hi Misty, your review really interests me, it sounds like you're getting improvements and really fast, please keep posting as this could educate some of us, please let me hear from how to use this Liquid Nitrogen, I'm going through rough time because of these brown spots.

Misty H.

November 20, 2013

HI Musie. So far I am pleased with the progress of the spots on my arms, chest and shoulders. I just had a few on my shoulders and chest. The jury is still out on my legs. The spots are still very visible. They are still red. I understand that the legs will take longer to heal so I am optimistic as it is still early in the recovery process. A dermatologist did the liquid nitrogen. So far I have only had to may my insurance co-pay. Don't do this yourself. You need a conservative approach. If you do too much/too deep you can end up with a scar. I also understand that this may work better on fair skin. I hear darker skin may be more likely to get hyper pigmentation. You really need to talk to a qualified professional and have it done by a qualified professional to get the best results. I will post my progress so stay tuned.

LauraDG

September 18, 2014

Did the red spots get darker before they stabbed! I have a liver spot on my face, I had my dermatologist use Liquid Nitrogin 3 days ago, Now the spot is darker but it looks like it's scabbing a little, mo doc said it was a liver spot. ( by the way he said liver spots have nothing to do with the liver) I think the Nitrogin is pushing the pigment out of the skin! That's why the spot is darker! I HOPE!!!!

jqw3827

September 18, 2014

I've gotten a bit lost in the thread - but "red spots" to me indicate maybe cherry angiomas? My derm indicates they'd be better addressed by laser - which I have not yet done. Personally, I'm still working on the keratoses. As for liquid nitrogen - I've had no "white spots" - I hyperpigment, which is unusual apaprently because I'm so fair skinned. In any event, I am seeing fading of the cryo leftovers by using a combo of peel pads and hydraquinone fading cream plus Retin A. I have considered consulting with a medi spa as to whether BBL (versus IPL) might also help finally "remove" the hyperpigmentation - but not yet. And - the same peel pads & creams are working to further fade the true "age spots" on my face, arms and hands that IPL didn't get down deep enough to do. These combo spot peels include glycolic, salycylic, "enzyme", kojic, lactic, 8% and 12.5% TCA - and the "fading" serums containing licorice, etc. I alternate the "juice" - and I'm only hitting SPOTS - not my whole face or body. It's just a slooooow fading go.

jlambert

September 23, 2014

Hello Laura I had the same treatment for a "brown spot" on my face, It was done 9-18-14, it blistered then the blister broke now it is a red scab, I am very self conscious about it, hoping it heals soon and falls off, I am nervous as to what it is going to look like after the scab comes off. Your thoughts please

wbull

September 22, 2016

Some times liquid nitrogen is effective, but it can also be very unpredictable. The biggest concern or risk with using liquid nitrogen is the surrounding tissue of the unwanted spot and how deep the product goes into the skin. Often times it can leave a hypopigmented spot after healing completely. With this, patients are also dissatisfied with that look also, because it is still noticeable. You are better off starting with IPL or a photofacial treatment to lighten the spots as much as possible. All IPL/photofacial technology is not created equally, so it is important that you do your research and go to a reputable dermatology or plastic surgery office that has a lot of experience dong this procedure.

Bambads

January 15, 2019

Are the hypopigmented spots permanent?

Bambads

January 15, 2019

Do hypopigmented spots return back to normal color eventually or are they permanent? I have some now and I’m worried they won’t go back to normal.

UPDATED FROM Misty H.

12 days post

So far so good

Misty H.November 11, 2013

Today at 12 days after all of the scabs have come off both shoulders, my chest and left arms. I have 3 spots remaining on my right arm. Most of the scabs are still on my legs.

Where ever the scabs have come off I see pink skin no brown. So far it looks good and I am happy with the results. Here are pictures

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM Misty H.

19 days post

3 Weeks post treatment

Misty H.November 17, 2013

I am pleased with the results on my shoulders and arms. The treated spots on my arms are small and pink and fading nicely. The treated spots on my legs are still pretty big and noticeable. The jury is still out on my legs. I know it can take possibly months for the final results to be known so I will keep my fingers crossed that the spots on my legs fade.

Replies (2)

Musie

November 19, 2013

Hi Misty! Very interesting review this is. I have the exactly kind of the same brown sports on my back, my chest, my arm, my legs, my face and neck, so I'd like to give it a try on my skin and see what comes out of it, could you please give me a tip on how to apply or to use this Nitrogen and how often?

lisamuller

January 15, 2014

Get an AFT laser treatment instead of IPL. AFT is more advanced and takes less sessions to get done. Don't do the Nitrogen, because it can cause white spots.

See More Laser Resurfacing Reviews

See All Reviews