Delayed Hypopigmentation After Laser Hair Removal

Question

I had laser hair removal on my lower legs with the Candela GentalYag (1064nm 18 spot size). I only had redness for a day afterward, no burns, no blistering, crusting or hyperpigmentation. Then 3 months after the procedure I noticed that my legs had lighter spots everywhere the laser had hit. Has anyone seen delayed hypopigmentation with this laser, is it permanent and should I avoid the sun or try to expose these hypopigmented spots to sunlight? I have attached a picture of my lower leg.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

The 1064nm. laser is the least apt to cause hypopigmentation but no treatment is immune from risk.  You may have normalization occur spontaneously but it may take a long time. Some patients may try to intentionally tan their legs but it may accentuate the difference between the darker tanned color and the white spots. More importantly, you should not purposely expose your legs to the sun as the hypopigmented spots may be severely damaged by the ultraviolet rays and you don't want to increase your risk in your later years of developing skin cancer.

Shawn Allen, MD · Answer

From your picture it does look like it may be hypopigmentation secondary to the laser treatment. This is a rare complication but does occur.  In almost all cases, it will resolve over time (several months).  Sun exposure may help but may not be advised as hypopigmented skin is more susceptible to burns.  I have seen patients treated elsewhere who come in with this complication and to date none have remained permanently hypopigmented. The fact that you had no blister or scabbing makes it even less likely to be permanent.  Remember the laser is looking for pigment in the hair follicle and if your skin was tan it may treat the skin pigmnent first.  Lastly, some lasers use a cold spray every time they fire which yours may have done (a spray sound and burst of cold each pulse) .  If so,  your pigment loss may be a result of the cold spray and not the laser beam and in this case it is unclear if it will be permanent.

Robert M. Jensen, MD (retired) · Answer

Hypopigmentation after laser hair removal is seen very rarely in fair skinned individuals, the darker the skin the higher the risk of permanent hyopigmentation.  I am not aware of any good treatments for this proplem. Tanning will probably just make it more obvious.

Edward Lack, MD (retired) · Answer

Delayed hypopigmentation is an infrequent side effect of laser treatment. Most lasers can produce heat and infrequently heating skin and underlying tissue will cause permanent loss of skin color.

Mitchell Schwartz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Delayed hypopigmentation from laser treatment does occur but is not common. It should correct itself over time. Try using "artificial tanning cream" to make the spots less obvious and remember to use your sun block to protect these areas from the sun.

Delayed Hypopigmentation After Laser Hair Removal

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Answer: Delayed hypopigmentation is an infrequent side effect of laser treatments

Answer: Delayed hypopigmentation is an infrequent side effect of laser treatments

Answer: Hypopigmentation from Laser Hair Removal

Answer: Hypopigmentation from Laser Hair Removal

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Delayed Hypopigmentation After Laser Hair Removal

Answers (5)

Answer: Delayed hypopigmentation is an infrequent side effect of laser treatments

Answer: Delayed hypopigmentation is an infrequent side effect of laser treatments

Answer: Hypopigmentation from Laser Hair Removal

Answer: Hypopigmentation from Laser Hair Removal

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Everything you need to know about Laser Hair Removal

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