Will CO2 Laser Treatment Under Eyes Cause Loss of Pigment?

Question

I am fair skinned and want to have CO2 laser under my eyes and on upper lip. Will I see a lose of pigment in those areas. I am afraid of looking like a racoon. Thank you.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Hypopigmentation after laser therapy can be a permanent complication. The CO2 wavelength is especially prone due to thermal collateral damage. However, the CO2 wavelength also is very good at removing wrinkles and tightening the skin. There are some less aggressive alternatives such as an Erbium or fractionated CO2 lasers.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

If you have ablative non-fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing there is a chance that you can develop delayed (one year after) long term lightening of pigment. This tends not to happen with ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser such Fraxel Repair.

Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD · Answer

Hypopigmentation or loss of pigment under the eyelids is something that is feared by many patients. We have all seen people walking around with lighter circles around the eyes or mouth from an old resurfacing treatment.  Most lasers these days are fractionated or ultrapulsed (meaning super fast) so the risk of hypopigmentation is extremely rare.  Talk with your physician and see what type of laser they offer

Gustavo A. Diaz, MD · Answer

Any type of resurfacing (Laser, Chemical peel, or Dermabrasion) will cause a degree of hypo-pigmentation or loss of pigment to the skin. The way that I explain this to my patients is that this is a cause an effect issue. In order to have less wrinkles, you have to give up some pigment of your skin. The less wrinkles you want, the more pigment you sacrifice. The problem is not when you do your full face. The problem is when you only do segments. Doing segments makes it a lot harder to hide this differences as if you do your entire face. Hope this helps you understand.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Using any laser whether it is CO2 or erbium may cause changes in pigmentation especially if you only treat isolated areas. You may be better off treating the entire face.

Will CO2 Laser Treatment Under Eyes Cause Loss of Pigment?

Answers (6)

Answer: Pigment and resurfacing

Answer: Pigment and resurfacing

Answer: CO2 laser treatment to face

Answer: CO2 laser treatment to face

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Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

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Will CO2 Laser Treatment Under Eyes Cause Loss of Pigment?

Answers (6)

Answer: Pigment and resurfacing

Answer: Pigment and resurfacing

Answer: CO2 laser treatment to face

Answer: CO2 laser treatment to face

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

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