Hello and thank you for your question.There are a number of comparable skin resurfacing treatments for pigmentation, sunspots, and wrinkles. The important issue is skin type. If the skin is medium olive and darker, then laser and some other methods can be more difficult to use. TCA does not work well for the deepest wrinkles but can be effective even in patients with medium and olive skin types, for pigmentation, blemishes and sunspots. Proper skin preparation and aftercare permit the use of most approaches. The darker the skin the more skin care required around the date of the procedure. The literature from Southeast Asia makes this point very clear.C02 laser for deep wrinkles can remove color from the skin as can Phenol when not blending it and using it in different strengths for the entire face. Phenol in combination with TCA and diamond tip abrasion can treat all issues related to pigmentation, wrinkling, and sunspots byt those with extensive experience. As discussed here, a vast experience with all skin types should be sought, but each skin type and each case is approached with special care. A chemo-abrasion is our preference for all skin types which may be directed toward some wrinkles, and pigment issues. This is more conventional but more all encompassing of a great number of skin types. Fractional lasers can be more liberally used in patients of color, but for deeper skin tones, they pose some issues especially a deep effect is sought. If we all had 20 different lasers and light-based devices, plus the latest modules, we could treat a greater number of skin issues in all skin types. Peels and dermabrasion, while conventional, can treat practically everything in everyone, except for spider vessels which are best treated directly, or by use of pulsed dye lasers. This is our philosophy. Laser technology changes every 6 months and updated lasers offer the best chance for great results.
Short answer - yes. If performed correctly medium depth peels such as the Jesssner's and TCA peel can give great results, in many cases better than laser. Peeling is faster, but requires a higher skill set for the Specialist. Lasers are safer and require some skill sets, to virtually none (default settings, depress a button). My advice to you is to find a specialist who has a wide selection of lasers, and also performs chemical peels- he or she can guide you accordingly. All the bestDr Davin Lim Laser and aesthetic dermatologistBRISBANE, Australia.
