Will Tri-luma after laser resurfacing prevent hyperpigmentation?

I recommend following up with a cosmetic dermatologist for a formal evaluation and after care recommendations and your concerns. I recommend skin care with vitamin c, b5 hydrator, silicone based scar gels with growth factors and enzymatic washes with papaya enzyme to give improvement. PDT therapy can calm inflammation. Sun protection is essential. Lasers like Co2 work best in combination with other treatments in order to improve the skin's texture and collagen. After Co2, I recommend adding fraxel lasers, microneedling/prp and radiofrequency treatments. Best, Dr. Emer

before CO2 resurfacing on all patients, I start them on a hydroquinone containing product at least 2 weeks  before the procedure.  In Asians and darker skinned individual's,  I will typically started at least 1 month before the procedure.  After the procedure,, I have patient's  use the fading cream again starting about 2 weeks after the  treatment and continue this for at least one or two months.This greatly reduces the risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation but not in all cases.  If you have a question about whether this would help, I would suggest using the fading cream for at least a month before  and also put it behind one of your ears and have the Dr. after that time do a test patch with the laser and wait to see if you have pigmention.  I hope this helps, Dr. Bob

Tri-Luma, a comibination cream of tretinoin, hydroquinone, and topical steroids, is frequently used post-laser to decrease the risk of hyperpigmentation. The inflammation created by the laser can stimulate the pigment-producing cells to become over-activated, creating excessive pigment production. This is seen more frequently in darker skin types than in Caucasians. Asian skin in particular can be very challenging, since it seems to respond more to the inflammatory process. I would talk to your treating laser physician about whether using Tri-Luma would be useful for your particular skin and laser treatment. Best wishes, Mary Beth Mudd