Co2 Laser Resurfacing Can Cause Hypopigmentation on my Face? Im Latina Mixed with Spanish

Question

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. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

David A. F. Ellis, MD · Answer

Yes CO@ laser runs the risk of pigment changes in your face. Even the fractionated type. What are you trying to correct? If it is scarring, then Laser Genesis, from Cutera would be very usual with color changes to your face.

	 

	David Ellis MD FRCSC

	Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

	Art of Facial Surgery.com

Richard Fitzpatrick, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Pigment loss from resurfacing the skin is related to removing full layers of the skin (100% of the surface area) and going too deep in this fashion. So full-surface CO2 laser treatment does have this risk. However when a fractional approach is used, tens of thousands of tiny ( diameter of a hair)columns of laser energy are placed over the surface of the skin and because there is untreated skin around each column there are always pigment cells that are not affected by the laser. As a result there are always enough pigment cells remaining to keep the pigment normal. In fact the opposite - HYPERpigmentation- is the most common side effect, occurring in 10-30% of patients. This risk can be diminished by taking a few preventative steps while treating with the laser.

Co2 Laser Resurfacing Can Cause Hypopigmentation on my Face? Im Latina Mixed with Spanish

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Co2 Laser Resurfacing Can Cause Hypopigmentation on my Face? Im Latina Mixed with Spanish

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Everything you need to know about Fractional Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.