Do the results of my post 5w BBL treatment for removal of sun posts/freckles on my arms look right? I am disappointed (Photo)

Question

The nurse technician said that after the procedure that I should only expect the dark sports/freckles to get darker and then eventually fade and flake off. Instead the spots were red and inflamed and eventually scabbed over and fell off. I am now left with large white circles which matches exactly the shape of the laser head. The doctor thought my results looks "amazing!", but I will need to do another treatment right away to fill in the other areas to fill my whole arm which is not what I wanted!

Peter Petropoulos, MD · Answer

hI,  your results don't look optimal, not sure what happened without the settings and if you were tan when treated.  Most likely things will improve but make sure your provider takes a look.

Carmela A. Pettigrew, MD · Answer

Sorry about your outcome, but it will likely improve with some time. It is essential not to have a tan when getting treated with BBL. You should get a second opinion somewhere else and don't get any sun until it's corrected and you are given the okay to get in the sun.
Thanks for your question and best of luck

Shalini Gupta, MD · Answer

There are lasers which have a very small spot size that can be used to just target the darkened spots, but BBL, which has a much larger spot size or area that is treated with each pulse should never be performed in such a patchy way.  It is true that often you need a second treatment to touch up small missed areas, but this kind of spotted appearance should definitely be avoided by treating the whole area.  I am also not sure of the settings used for your tan skin.  With time, if you do nothing, the skin will even back out... though it will take quite a few months.

Thomas D. Griffin Jr., MD · Answer

If I were you, I would find a more qualified cosmetic dermatologist to do your procedure. Your entire arm surface needs to be treated, not just the individual brown spots. Your skin should eventually even out after some time back in the sun but no-one should tell you that result is amazing.

Do the results of my post 5w BBL treatment for removal of sun posts/freckles on my arms look right? I am disappointed (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Go somewhere else

Answer: Go somewhere else

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Do the results of my post 5w BBL treatment for removal of sun posts/freckles on my arms look right? I am disappointed (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Go somewhere else

Answer: Go somewhere else

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about BroadBand Light (BBL)

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