Does Laser Treatment on Facial Age Spots Leave Scars?

Hyperpigmentation can ruin your skin and can be caused by either PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), melasma, age or sun spots, and chronic inflammation.  Starting treatment is easy with topical creams; followed by laser and light therapy. I would use a combination skincare protocol that includes topical Melarase creams first, followed by a combination of light fractional laser, depigmenting lasers and IPL, vascular pulsed dye laser, and Covalent peels.

Recommended Creams: Melarase Brightening Kit

MelaClenz
Melarase AM
Melarase PM
Melapads
Replenish Retinoid Cream
Best, 

Dr. Karamanoukian

Realself100 Surgeon

Laser treatments performed by experienced, board-certified dermatologists should effectively minimized appearance of age spots and should not leave you with any scars. Q-switch and picosecond lasers touch the scar for such a short time, that the risk of scarring is nearly zero. It’s important to seek treatment from an experienced and board-certified laser expert to ensure you are getting the safest and best results.

Thank you for your question. Laser treatments usually will not leave scars in the right hands and in the right settings. There may be increased risk if you have a history of keloid scarring, uncontrolled diabetes, etc. I would recommend being treated under the supervision of a Board Certified Dermatologist for safest and best treatment options. I hope this helps.

When performed by an experienced, board-certified dermatologist, laser treatment for age spots should effectively minimize the appearance of age spots and leave no scars. Be sure to seek treatment from a laser expert to ensure the best result.

While laser treatment is ideal for addressing age spots, there is the potential for scarring to occur.


Laser energy is readily absorbed by melanin in the skin.

So it is important for your physician to choose a laser system that uses a wavelength that will be absorbed by the age spots without affecting the melanin in the surrounding areas.

The risk of overheating and subsequent scarring can potentially occur in patients with darker skin tones.


Fraxel Dual uses the 1550nm and 1927nm wavelengths which are not easily absorbed by melanin outside the treatment area. It is safe for patients of all skin colors.


As with any procedure, however, successful outcomes really depend on the skill and experience of the physician.

The idea of having the Facial age spots treated is to remove the dark spots and return the skin to the condition before the sun damage.  PLEASE seek out a board certified dermatologist to treat the sun spots who has years of experience with lasers and cosmetic dermatology.  This is an art and a science and you need to find someone who knows both.  I love the Fraxel Dual laser for the pigmentation that you are describing.  It is an elegant treatment with little down time.  Please let me know how your treatment goes.

Laser removal of age spots should be safe and effective if done by a well trained healthcare professional. A series of treatments may be needed.

Age spots respond well to laser treatment.

You need the right physician, the right diagnosis, the right laser, and the right patient. Even the time of year can play a role.

Having said that, it would be extremely rare to see any sighn of scar.

When performed by an experienced and expert physician on an appropriate patient, laser treatments for age spots should not leave scars.

As mentioned by another physician, laser treatment of facial age spots should not leave permanent scars if done properly with the correct laser and correct settings by a board-certified dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon.  There are several different lasers that can improve facial age spots, the choice of which typically depends on the problem and/or areas being targeted, the skin type of the individual and the amount of downtime an individual is willing or able to tolerate. Chemical peeling can also greatly improve facial age spots and is an excellent modality.  Good luck!