Treatment for Stubborn Sun Damage on Neck?

You probably need a series of 4-5 light TCA peels such as 10-20% TCA done every 2-4 weeks, alternating with a series of 3-4 IPL treatments together at a cost of roughly $350 each one.

Chemical peels on the arms of the medium strength, which is the level needed to improve coloration, might scar the arms so they should be avoided. Superficial peels might be done to allow topical lightening creams to be more effective. Fraxel is a very good alternative. Several Fraxel Re:store treatments can safely (there are risks with any procedure and please discuss this with your physician) treat the forearms, but no one can guarantee a result of lightening the color. In fact, there is always a small risk of laser –induced post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, in other words, darkening may occur from your pigment response to the trauma of the procedure. Sunscreen is very important to minimize the pigmentation response.

Hi Jenny-- Its hard to say without seeing your neck, but you may have Poikiloderma of Civatte, which is basically caused by repeated sun exposure . This responds well to a series of Fraxel restore treatments, or to one Fraxel repair. I often combine the use of the Vbeam Perfecta and or the Alex Trivantage laser with the Fraxel laser to get the best results when treating this condition. The Vbeam is particularly helpful if there is a vascular component. Take care, Dr. Groff