Best treatment for dark marks, lines etc on face and neck? (Photos)

Question

I have suffered from the appearance of dark lines/rings around my neck since my teens, with no underlying identifiable health causes. As such, I am now beyond ready to get rid of them, along with slight discolorations on my face. What would be the best treatment option; microdermabrasion, chemical peel or laser? Thanks!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

"Injecting soft fillers like Belotero in this area can reduce lines, wrinkles and folds as well as improve skin texture with long-term collagen production. Fillers are being used more frequently to contour and lift rather than solely line fill. Of course, fillers are best used in combination with lasers and microneedling with PRP to get the optimal outcome.

I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist to create an individualized treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer"

I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist to create an individualized treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer"

Mark Murphy, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The dark marks on your skin are most likely hyperpigmentation, which is a discoloration of skin due to sun exposure and natural causes (hormones, genetics). From your pictures, they appear to be faint, but if they bother you enough to seek treatment, I recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in laser procedures. Chemical peels, while effective in some cases, can cause further discoloration and unevenness in darker skin. There are some lasers that are able to treat all skin types, which may be the answer for you. Again, an experienced doctor is key, because you want to ensure that the laser treatment they recommend is safe for darker skin, so that your issue is fixed and not amplified. Good luck!

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Research shows that open pores are highly linked to high levels of oil secretion as well as the width of your facial hairs. Most likely there are hormonal factors that are contributing to this. The black spots are probably the result of hyperpigmentation, which can also be related to hormones as well as sun exposure, which is a common trigger for excess melanin production. The frown lines is caused by the deterioration of collagen and elastin in your skin. This again is likely to be precipitated by UV rays from the sun which damages these protein fibers. Because the origins of these skin issues lie beneath the surface, lasers can certainly help. Fraxel Dual, which is safe for your skin color, deliberately applies heat to the dermal layer so that it can produce new collagen. It may or may not be able to address the frown lines, which really depend on how deep they are. Lasers use a single wavelength to achieve specific objectives. This helps the results become more predictable as opposed to a chemical peel.  In your own research, you might want to also consider the Spectra laser, which produces an exfoliating effect, similar to a chemical peel, but is highly targeted. Most importantly, choose a board certified dermatologist. The right skills and level of experience are far more important than the tools themselves. Best of luck!

Best treatment for dark marks, lines etc on face and neck? (Photos)

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How many treatments of microdermabrasion for hyperpigmentations and moderate acne scars? And how long?

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