What Laser Best for Freckle Removal?

There are several options for pigment removal using laser devices. These options in IPL, alexandrite, ruby, pulsed-dye, KTP, Nd:YAG, and picosecond lasers. I’m sorry to hear that IPL did not work for you, but often it’s the settings and treatment technique that determine the outcome not necessarily just failure of the device. The best device depends on many factors such as your skin type, the type of freckle you have, your previous treatment record, and how your skin reacts to laser energy. For assessment of these factors and design of an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your needs, it’s best to see a specialist trained laser surgeon. Good luck!

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

There are many different lasers designed to treat skin pigment. IPL is generally a good starting point, and I agree with others that in some cases, it is more dependent on the specific settings and approach than the overall treatment. Fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing, Erbium:YAG laser skin resurfacing, and medium to deep chemical peels can all work well on pigment also. A key with treating any pigment issue is using a medical-grade skin care regiment to help prevent further pigment production in conjunction with any laser or IPL treatment.Best,

Thank you for your question. If you would like the least number of treatments, I would recommend a fractional Iablative device such as CO2. The next best may be a fractionated sublative laser such as e matrix.  An Alex laser can also spit treat with minimal downtime and expense. Whichever method you decide, I would recommend being treated under the supervision of a Board Certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon for safest and best treatment option. I hope this helps.

The Alexandrite or frequency doubled Neodynium Yag lasers, and the glass tip V-beam lasers are very effective to reduce pigment that is focal.  Possibly a few treatments may be necessary, but many patients need only one or two. There may be some slight scabbing for five days that require oinment or cream to be applied for good healing for five days or so.  Certainly the pigment should be evaluated to make sure that the freckles are OK and not showing any atypical presence prior to laser treatment. Seeing a board certified dermatologist might be prudent. The Fraxel Dual laser also works very well but may require more treatments and is better for diffuse sundamage pigmentation than treating individual freckles.  Sun protection is a must.

For freckle removal, pre-treating the skin with hydroquinone and Retin-A is important. Lasers are very effective at minimizing freckles, specifically a fractional CO2 laser such as the ActiveFx or Fraxel.  Chemical peels also can be helpful. To assure your satisfaction and achieved goal, it would be best to schedule a consultation with a Board Certified Dermatologist to see what procedure and/or products would work best for you.

Two of my favorite pigment reducers are Picosure Focus Lens or Max G IPL.  The Focus lens not only targets pigmentation, but also stimulates collagen so the texture and tone of the skin is improved as well.  The Max G IPL, targets superficial pigment and blood vessels so patients with both of these issues can be treated with the IPL.  Picosure Focus Lens has the ability to target pigment at a deeper level then IPL, but both are great choices needing 1-3 treatments (majority being 1-2 treatments) to achieve the desired result.

Multiple modalities can treat freckles effectively. Consult in person with three experienced and expert board certified plastic surgeons to understand your options.

Great results, minimal number of treatments, as little downtime as possible. Each laser skin resurfacing will be a bit of a trade-off between those 3 variables. Fraxel is an effective laser, but I offer the Halo hybrid fractional laser because it enables me to customize treatments, so patients don't have to choose between great results or more downtime. I consider it a real breakthrough when it comes to laser skin resurfacing treatments, especially if IPL treatments didn't work for you.

An invasive laser such as CO2, fractional CO2 (ActiveFX, DeepFX, Re:Pair, CORE), Erbium, Fraxel or a chemical acid peel would remove a freckle or an area of freckles faster than a noninvasive laser such as KTP (Aura, Gemini, Iriderm), Q-switched KTP (Medlite, Revlite), Alexandrite, or Ruby lasers but there is a downside if you have darker or tan skin or live in a sunny region and are very active outdoors.  The invasive lasers by causing an injury to remove the freckle can cause increased photosensitivity which in the long run can make you freckle more intensely if you don't take careful measure to protect yourself from the sun.  The safer but slower route (because you may need more treatments to get rid of the freckle) are the noninvasive lasers.  IPL does not work as well because it's more diffuse and superficial in its depth of penetration and not as focused as a true laser beam.  The pulsed dye laser (ie: V-Beam, Perfecta) works on red blood vessels but not as good on freckles as the KTP.  Using liquid nitrogen is also another option for treating freckles.