Red head - What are the best treatments for deep freckles? (photo)

Question

ablative fractional lasers? deep chemical peels or boutique chemical peels such as Vi, or Perfect Peel? Not too interested in lighteners. I'd rather find a more long term solution. How many peels would it take to change the appearance of my freckled skin to be of one solid pale complected color? -I like my skin one solid color. There aren't a lot of redheads and people with my level of skin color, so please keep in mind I'm going for completely pale.- Thanks.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Freckles require a combination approach with lasers (IPL, fraxel) and peels. It may take a series of treatments. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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.  Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. 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

Payman Kosari, MD, FAAD · Answer

Intense pulsed light (IPL) or Fraxel can be helpful in treating your freckles.  Will likely require multiple treatments and may not get rid of all of them but you will see nice improvement.  Best of luck!

Anna Avaliani, MD · Answer

You are a perfect candidate for any laser treatment but lighter freckles are usually deeper, so no peel will penetrate deep enough to get to the appropriate skin level. You need lasers.  The best laser for pigment and skin quality is PicoSure Focus tx with a combination of Pico Tattoo. Your freckles will be GONE in a few treatments maybe even 1.  If you simply want just the freckles to go away, then you can read about Icon Max G photofacial, but it will not help your skin texture or quality, simply pigment.  Hope this helps. Best, Dr.Avaliani

Sameer Bashey, MD · Answer

1. comprehensive skincare program and sun care program
2. consider the ZO 3 step peel
3. Clear + Brilliant laser in a series of sessions

Reza Tirgari, MD · Answer

You are lucky in that you have many options.  The first step, however, is to use an appropriate sunscreen to protect your skin and prevent further damage.
IPL is one option.  You would come in monthly for treatments and gradually see improvement in your results.  A step higher would be a micro-fractional treatment, also monthly, which would work even better.
If you are in more of a rush and can afford the downtime, a fractional laser treatment would target those freckles very effectively and also provide other benefits.  Of course, starting with a chemical peel first will augment the results no matter which treatment you choose.
Consider a consultation before you start so that all of these, and other options, can be provided to you.
Hope that helps.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and posting a picture.  First, wear a good sunscreen every day.  Before you consider treatment options, you have to determine where you are going to stop.  For most of our redheads, we treat their face.  Sometimes we will do neck and décolleté.  If we do your hands, then you will want your arms, shoulders, trunk and legs.  Everything is treatable, but it costs money.A series of IPL PhotoFacials will probably be the most affordable route and safe for your skin type.  If you have aging or texture issues, we would recommend moving up to a series of PicoSure FOCUS treatments.  The PicoSure is safe for all skin types.  Brown spot reduction is rarely permanent.  Any sun exposure will encourage them to return.  Best of luck.

Raminder Saluja, MD · Answer

In regards to your question relating to pigment of the arms, one of my favorite treatments for this is the Palomar YS IPL.  It targets the melanin (pigment) and has a large spot size so that the area an be treated efficiently.  There is a skintel which is a meter that measures how much pigment is in the skin so proper settings can be utilized.  Even though you are fair skinned, I would recommend doing this after the summertime (fall or winter), when no tan is present to maximize settings and for you that would mean the benefits of the system.  It may take between 1-3 treatments and we typically separate them out by 4-6 weeks.  Because the arm is a distal appendage, realize that the "coffee grounds" which occur after treatment will slough off a bit longer than they would on the face (around 2-3 weeks).
Make sure to always sunprotect!  Especially with your coloring.
Best of luck!

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

Yes, fractional laser can help- Fraxel and C and B as can fractional Q switch lasers such as the Picosure as well. They all require a few sessions. Old fashioned IPL or BBL is excellent, but the problem is that it can leave tell tale sharp cut offs. For freckles I advice patients to BLEND things in, this way it look more natural. Have a chat with your dermatologist for some advice on what is best and your expectations. Dr Davin Lim, Brisbane. Australia.

Red head - What are the best treatments for deep freckles? (photo)

Answers (9)

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