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Hypopigmentation After Laser Hair Removal

I Had a laser done, got burned and now I'm left with white marks. Will they go away? What can I do? I'm terrified since I'm a fitness model and bikini competitor

Doctor Answers 3

Light skin color after laser hair removal

January 17th, 2011
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There may be a way to get reassurance from a dermatologist who can use a Wood's light to see if there is porcelain-white color or just lightening in the skin patches. If it is just lighter than there is a good chance it is hypopigmentation and not depigmentation. Use sunblock to avoid getting accentuation of color around the white spots and also to avoid getting a sunburn on the white spots. It can take months for this to come back to normal.

Ronald Shelton, MD


Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 37 reviews

January 17th, 2011

Light skin color after laser hair removal

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

There may be a way to get reassurance from a dermatologist who can use a Wood's light to see if there is porcelain-white color or just lightening in the skin patches. If it is just lighter than there is a good chance it is hypopigmentation and not depigmentation. Use sunblock to avoid getting accentuation of color around the white spots and also to avoid getting a sunburn on the white spots. It can take months for this to come back to normal.

Ronald Shelton, MD


Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 37 reviews

Hypopigmentation from Laser Hair Removal

January 12th, 2011
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There is a good chance the skin will re-pigment but it all depends on the depth of the burn and your skin's ability to repair itself.  Only time will provide the answer as there is nothing I would recommend doing at this time to speed up the process.  Be extra careful with sun exposure to the area for quite a while.  You  have lost your natural protection in that area and the skin can burn very easily.  A sunburn may only worsen the problem.

Web reference: http://www.dorsetstreetdermatology.com/cosmetic-dermatology/laser-hair-removal/

Mitchell Schwartz, MD

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 12 reviews

January 12th, 2011

Hypopigmentation from Laser Hair Removal

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

There is a good chance the skin will re-pigment but it all depends on the depth of the burn and your skin's ability to repair itself.  Only time will provide the answer as there is nothing I would recommend doing at this time to speed up the process.  Be extra careful with sun exposure to the area for quite a while.  You  have lost your natural protection in that area and the skin can burn very easily.  A sunburn may only worsen the problem.

Learn more: http://www.dorsetstreetdermatology.com/cosmetic-dermatology/laser-hair-removal/

Mitchell Schwartz, MD

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 12 reviews

Hypopigmentation after laser hair removal burn

January 12th, 2011
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Unfortunately it is difficult to predict whether your skin will return to its normal pigmentation. Sometimes the pigment does return to normal, but depending on the laser used and the depth of the burn, the hypopigmentation can be long-lasting or irreversible.

How long ago did you have the laser treatment done?  What type of device was used?  And on a more encouraging note, even though your photo is blurry, some spots look like they are repigmenting.

I recommend returning to your treating physician for an evaluation.

Emily Altman, MD

Emily Altman, MD
Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 reviews

January 12th, 2011

Hypopigmentation after laser hair removal burn

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Unfortunately it is difficult to predict whether your skin will return to its normal pigmentation. Sometimes the pigment does return to normal, but depending on the laser used and the depth of the burn, the hypopigmentation can be long-lasting or irreversible.

How long ago did you have the laser treatment done?  What type of device was used?  And on a more encouraging note, even though your photo is blurry, some spots look like they are repigmenting.

I recommend returning to your treating physician for an evaluation.

Emily Altman, MD
Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.