What’s better: laser treatment or chemical peel? And what type is really the best. (photo)

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question. Since the trauma is so recent, I would recommend that you use Bio Corneum scar gel and sunblock. After 6 months you can evaluate the area. 

Hyperpigmentation of any kind needs a combination approach of peels like Cosmelan; lasers like Clear + Brilliant, Aerolase or Laser Genesis; radiofrequency like Venus Viva; and constant skin care and sun protection. Bimonthly facials with SilkPeel DermalInfusion are essential to hydrate, exfoliate and infuse vitamins and antioxidants into the skin. If you have acne you can do additional treatments and peels to get more improvement. Hypopigmentation will need more of an evaluation and possibly additional lasers to get improvement. I suggest a formal consultation with an expert in lasers and peels. Best, Dr. Emer.

Dear  suex16,
every cosmetic treatment has indications. If you are considering a treatment, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It looks like you're having a bit of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) which is very common is people with skin of color. I would first recommend hydroquinone 4% cream nightly for 2-3 months with very strict sunblock everyday. This is most likely all that's necessary. Sometimes chemical peels are added afterward to enhance results. I strongly advise against using laser in this situation because it could actually make it worse.  Make sure you see a board-certified dermatologist to discuss further. Good luck! 

Hello, this seems to be post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.  It may lighten up over time.  You can try using a hydroquinone (which is a lightening agent) to lighten it up a bit.  Lasers and chemical peels may be an option for you as well but you need to be careful if you're prone to hyperpigmentation.  It's best to get an in person consult so you can be advised on what the correct treatment plan is for you.

Thank you for your photo. Your skin has proven that it prefers to hyperpigment after any type of treatment that causes hyperpigmentation. Therefore a laser or chemical peel can also risk you having more hyperpigmentation. Since this injury is recent, I would recommend waiting a few months to allow it to fade on its own. You should avoid any UV light such as sunlight and use sunblock to speed the fading. Hope this helps!
Johnson C. Lee, MD 
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

It seems you have hyperpigmentation reaction . There are certain things you can do to make it better over time :
1) Avoid the sun
2)Sun block containing metal as Zinc or Titanium even if you are indoors and use every 4 to 5 hours
3)4% or 8% Hydroquinone for a couple of months  then switch to 2% HQ.
4)Mild IPL or Aerolase laser with settings specific for this 
5) Wait : this should get better with time if you are doing 1 and 2
Hope this helps 
Good luck

Your skin is prone to hyper pigmentation and treatments like laser treatments can create the same effect. The laser treatment is in many senses a form of skin burn it selectively focus ST energy on certain particles called chromophores in your case it would be brown spots but it is still an energy or heat application that can cause the same hyperpigmentation from your waxing.Your history of hyper pigmentation is one piece of information the provider needs to know and puts you at greater risk for having undesirable secondary outcomes from laser treatments. Chemical treatments can also cause hyperpigmentation.If your primary goal is to get your skin color back to normal then I suggest giving this a few months at least.It’s highly unlikely this will leave you with permanent hyperpigmentation.Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

What you have is post traumatic hyperpigmentation that occurs after an injury to the skin. This is one of the reasons not to do procedures like waxing or peels at home. Neither a laser or peel will reverse this. You need either hydroquinone cream or an IPL (Laser like machine). See an expert in shin care and rejuvenation.