What is the best (and safe) treatment/laser for uneven tone and texture in dark skin?

Question

I’m confused with the so many lasers and treatment options out there. I have a dark (Indian) type lV skin with uneven tone especially around my mouth and sides of my face and uneven texture. What is the best (and safe) treatment/laser to have a brighter and more even skin? Is LaseMD safe for my skin tone? I know I can’t have a photofacial.Thanks in advance.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser.  Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Tracy Katz, MD · Answer

You are correct that LaseMD is a safer choice for your skin type over IPL. But I would still make sure you are not tan at all and prep your skin with hydroquinone prior to and in between laser treatments. LaseMD works only only on hyperpigmentation with very little effect on collagen itself so it will likely not make your skin feel smoother but can help with the hyperpigmentation. Also, make sure you are a skin care regimen that targets pigment and use hydroquinone on and off.

What is the best (and safe) treatment/laser for uneven tone and texture in dark skin?

Answers (2)

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