Hypopigmentation scar from laser - how can this be treated? (Photos)

Hi there!Dr Peterson here. Thanks for sharing your experience. You’re not alone in the frustration that comes from experiencing hypopigmentation after a procedure. Post-procedure hypopigmentation and texture changes, especially after aggressive treatments like a CO₂ laser, can be very challenging to treat, and results often take patience and careful management.
Here’s what can help:
1. Sun protection: Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential to prevent worsening pigmentation and help any treatments work optimally.
2. Microneedling with adjuncts: Microneedling combined with bimatoprost can sometimes help repigment areas by stimulating melanocytes in hypopigmented skin.
3. Topical treatments: • Calcineurin inhibitors or mild retinoids in select cases may support repigmentation. • Growth factor serums can support texture improvement, though pigmentation results are limited.
4. Lasers and light-based therapy: Non-ablative fractional lasers or low-fluence Q-switched lasers may improve texture but need to be approached cautiously to avoid worsening hypopigmentation.
5. Camouflage and cosmetic strategies: While working on repigmentation, tinted sunscreens are a great tool to help manage visual impact. Dermablend makes a really great, very high coverage makeup that I often recommend for patients with vitiligo or other pigmentation disorders. It’s pigmented enough to cover tattoos, so it can be a great option while you’re working on other strategies to bring the pigment back.
Hang in there! It’s a long journey but there’s light at the end :)
Because this is a highly nuanced and delicate area, it’s best managed by a board-certified dermatologist experienced in post-laser complications. With a carefully tailored plan, improvement is possible, though it may require multiple modalities over time.