Will Dark Spots from Laser Hair Removal Lighten with Use of Bio Oil or Cocoa Butter?

Question

5 weeks ago both my thighs were burnt from laser hair removal. The burns have now turned into dark spots but never crusted and is under the top layer of the skin. I have been advised by the technician to use bio oil as this is believed to help lighten the scars and should fade after a few weeks. This is not helping. I have an olive complexion and the dark spots have not changed in appearance. Please help!

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (brown spots) may occur in darker complected patients following laser hair removal. I have seen complete resolution of hyperpigmentation in all of my patients. I do not prescribe bleaching creams like hydroquinone. You must keep the area out of the sun, and they'll likely be barely perceptible in 6 months. 

	All the best from NJ.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

I would recommend that you begin with a more therapeutic skin lightener.  In my office, I would place a patient on Melaquin AM and Melaquin PM for about 6 to 8 weeks.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

You should see a board-certified dermatologist as you may have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This may self-resolve over many months to a year or more, but can be helped by prescription creams, such as tretinoin, hydroquinone or other lightening creams and you should maintain close follow-up with your doctor.

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH · Answer

For the most part, it is a myth that these work to fade dark spots. They do work to moisturize the skin, and healthy skin will return to its normal color faster, but time and sun avoidance is probably the most likely way to fade these dark marks you have gotten after laser hair removal. Trying a hydroquinone bleaching cream SUPERVISED by a board-certified dermatologist is something else to consider. But it may not work, and does have risks of its own.

Mitchell Schwartz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

You most likely have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Because of your olive complexion you are more prone to this. I do not believe Bio Oil or Cocoa Butter will do much to lighten these areas. Hopefully they will get better over time. In the meanwhile, you can try using a bleaching cream containing 4% hydroquinone which may be the only thing that will help. This is a prescription-only cream here in the US.

Will Dark Spots from Laser Hair Removal Lighten with Use of Bio Oil or Cocoa Butter?

Answers (5)