Would laser resurfacing work to clear hypopigmentation? Is there a better solution?

Hypopigmentation can be partially corrected in some cases with fractional co2 laser. The process accelerates post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Thank you for your question. Hypopigmentation is when there is a loss of pigment in the skin. If this is what you are experiencing then Laser resurfacing along with a few other treatment options can be helpful. Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for a treatment plan that is best for you.

Dear Bondurant22,Examples of the most
common skin issues that are treated with laser skin resurfacing are as follows:
removal of facial wrinkles, removal of deep lines around the mouth and eyes,
treatment of facial scars, treatment of scarring related to acne, treatment of
areas of uneven skin pigmentation, removal of tattoos, and treatment of
precancerous skin conditions.Please seek a board certified facial plastic surgeon to receive the best care, treatment and procedural ability available. Sincerely,Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS

The best treatment for this is fractional laser, with prp and microneedling.  Laser resurfacing has the ability to worsen this.  Excimer laser sometimes works but is better for vitiligo than from skin damage.  Please see a doctor with experience for this.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Halo Laser would be a good consideration for uneven tone. Halo Laser can be combined with a hydroquinone based medical grade skin care such as Obagi.

There are a
lot of ways for us to remove facial brown spots. The least invasive and inexpensive
technique is a topical cream known as hydroquinone. Available in concentrations
of 4% to 8%, this can be prescribed for you by your board certified
dermatologist. In a month’s time, the brown spots will lighten.

Alternatively,
we have various chemical peels, most commonly trichloroacetic acid and glycolic
acid, that can lighten brown spots.

The final
option for removing brown spots is through a laser technique. There are a
variety of lasers available, such as a non-ablative, less intense laser that
includes the pulsed dye laser and the alexandrite laser. There are more intense
lasers that tend to have better efficacy include the CO2, or carbon dioxide,
lasers that are ablative.

However, we
cannot forget to mention a more old-school conventional method. With this
technique, your dermatologist will take a very light electric current called a
hyfrecator to tap the top of those brown spots. This allows the spots to crust
and then fall off.