Laser Hair Removal: Stories

I had hypo-pigmentation for laser burn and after 4 months when the marks didnt disappear, the doctor said they would be permanent. So I decided to try and sun tan the area. I put lots and lots of sunscreen around the marks (it was time consuming) and then tanned myself for about 40 minutes each time. In about 6 session the marks have completely gone. My skin (olive- asian skin) is almost normal. I can still see little difference, but others cant. Each day it gets even better and hopefully it shoul dbe gone soon. I will try and post my comments on all possible chat sites because I understand how painful and scary it is to be there. First the burn, then the painful blister and the thought of looking leopard skin for ever. Hope you find my post hopeful.

I had hypo-pigmentation for laser burn and after 4 months when the marks didnt disappear, the doctor said they would be permanent. So I decided to try and sun tan the area. I put lots and lots of sunscreen around the marks (it was time consuming) and then tanned myself for about 40 minutes each time. In about 6 session the marks have completely gone. My skin (olive- asian skin) is almost normal. I can still see little difference, but others cant. Each day it gets even better and hopefully it shoul dbe gone soon. I will try and post my comments on all possible chat sites because I understand how painful and scary it is to be there. First the burn, then the painful blister and the thought of looking leopard skin for ever. Hope you find my post hopeful.

Mine is repigmenting slowly with Retin-A, and single needling and SUN. Dont listen to anyone that tells you to stay out of the sun. Only do that if your skin isnt healed yet. Two Dermatologists told me to get sun. One plastic surgeon told me not to but he didnt know what he was talking about. The sun helps. I see freckling and pigment islands forming inside and on the surrounding patches of white areas. It takes forever, but please have hope. Some douchebag dermatologist on RealSelf told a poster their skin would never repigment and would be there "forever". Thats a load of BS. Someone once told me the same thing and my skin is slowly improving.

Ive tried, without luck...

It just sucks...

Feel free to email me though- xxx@yahoo.com- happy to brainstorm ideas and share .

Hey guys,

I also had recent laser hair removal and my stomach and chest got destroyed. Half of it is covered in white blotches and it looks HORRIBLE. I understand that I will be staying out of the sun for a really long time. However, has anyone taken any legal action against the people that performed this procedure on you? I was wondering whether it is possible to do this since it leaves us disfigured for a really long time if not permanent. And personally, I was not warned of any of these complications before nor after the procedure. I was left to experience this nightmare on my own.... I hope someone can help me

Hi
Hypopigmentation SUCKS! In the 90's I had tattoo removal and then last year had another one removed and both have left me with hypopigmented skin. Last year on the very last treatment of my tattoo I got burned and so now I have more spots. I am so mad. But, I saw a dermatologist and she said there is still melanocytes underneath but they have no proven way of getting them to come to the surface. She said creams for vitiligo wont help since my body is not attacking the melanocytes. I have had some spontaneous repigmentation over the years and have found that dry needling is the only helpful thing out there. Fresh ginger root has produced a few new brown spots also. The dr even suggested needling and advocated it, that it causes less damage then lasers. She said to GET SUN because the skin needs to produce melanin.
I had been needling myself with a roller but noticed very little. My skin would get red and then once that faded it would still be hypopigmented. 2 weeks ago I went to get it professionally needled with an electric machine because it can penentrate more areas. This seemed to have activated my melanocytes. I have some areas that were unresponsive but other spots have emerged. I beg you to at least try it if your skin doesnt have the appearance of a scar but skin is intact and is just lighter than the surrounding skin. Also, get sun at some point after the treatment. I have cut myself with a razor and have been bitten by a spider on the hypopigmented areas and after the healing phase was left with normal skin tone. Amazing!
Please email me and I can share my experience.

Great for sharing hypopigmentation problems, I am also suffering from hair loss problem. I was thinking about laser hair treatment but after reading this article I completely know about laser hair removal technique. Really informative site.

The best way to avoid any adverse effects to laser treatment is to find a reputable accredited clinic who knows what they are treating . Class 4 Laser are complex and require a good knowledge of the Fitzpatrick Skin Types, skin conditions and biophysics of laser. Results Laser Clinic is Australia's leading non invasive laser clinic, with clinics across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Visit www.resultslaserclinic.com.au for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Hi, I genetically have vitiligo and searched for 5 years for a derm that wasn't ignorant about it. I had vit on the lower half of my face on my back and chest, and my dad's vitiligo progressed over his entire body. I was able to treat it 99% with the extrac laser at St. Jude Medical Ctr. and a UVB lamp that I bought from ebay from Israel. Skin pigment comes from your hair follicle and now that that it has been overly killed off you would need melanin from surrounding areas. My friend told me she got some minor white spots that's why I never did it knowing my condition. If you want my help, I can give you more details to help you fix it as much as possible. Let me know.

hypopigment do you have any pictures of your legs or arms? Was the hypopigmentation all over and very bad? I know what you mean laser hair removal was the worse I wish I would have just shaved.

one problem I am now having is getting sun exposure and having small white spots appear (kind of like age spots). I am only 34 and hadn't ever had these before so I think it may be a result of the laser hair removal. They are small and much better than the major hypopigmentation I had but I can tell they are not going to tan ever and I seem to notice a new one every couple of months. I read that you can experience hypopigmentation months and months after laser hair removal and I now think this is happening to me. This was the worst thing I ever did to get laser hair removal but I guess I just have to be happy that the major hypopigmentation is gone.

Hi! I am going through the same exact problem..I had laser on my stomach and bikini line and immediately after I was left with brownish purple marks..these peeled off and healed in a couple of weeks, but underneath was lighter skin. I didn't know what to do so I went into the sun to try and tan them, but it actually burned that skin. So now I'm left with a bunch of white spots and some of them have brown scars from the sun inside of them...it's terrible. It's been about 2 months and I'm going crazy. I'm SO embarrassed. I saw a dermatologist who said to stay out of the sun for a few more weeks and then do controlled sun exposure. But I'm afraid that it's too soon to do that. I also did a spray on tan and it helped hide the spots a little bit, but if anyone has any advice I would GREATLY appreciate it! Thanks!

I have posted some pictures of my legs (here) it shows a little brown spots still but now those are all gone and everything is white. In two more days it will be a month since I was burned. Everything I read has gave me some hope I am just waiting to heal some more so I can get some positive results. Please contact me with your opinions or suggestions I would appreciate it.

My skin never did burn or blister; I simply walked out with white spots everywhere. Now I'm hoping that's still the same "injury" as hypopigmentation and Alex7878 had because they recovered 100%. I think it is and the extra melanin in my skin (I'm black) just prevented an actual burn. I'm doing controlled sun exposure now and have only slight improvement on my upper arms so far. I'll post my progress but if anyone wishes to talk directly just send me a message. I know how bad this sucks.....

i waited 7 or 8 months and then did controlled sun exposure with lots of spf. i am now 100% back to normal and had severe hypopigmentation all over my arms and my legs.