For brown spots, what's the best treatment, IPL vs Clear & Brilliant?

Our protocol for this condition includes Clear and Brilliant laser followed by twice daily application of Melarase Brightening Kit with Melarase AM, Melarase PM, Melapads, and Replenish retinoid cream.Best, Dr. KaramanoukianLos Angeles

At my practice, I suggest Pico Way 3-D Holographic Fractional laser for brown spots, specifically safe for Asian skin.  In addition, I suggest Lytera 2.0 by Skin Medica twice daily as a home care prescription to minimize the appearance of the brown spots.  Strict avoidance of the sun is recommended as well as mineral based sunscreen such as Elizabeth Arden Triple Protection Factor SPF 50.Pico Way is also safe for tattoo removal on all skin types.  Another great laser facial option is the Pico Way Resolve laser facial which includes two depths for improvement in pigment as well as lines and wrinkles.Clear & Brilliant is a great option for patients that are able to do five to six treatments, once a month.  In addition, Clear & Brilliant helps the appearance of pores and fine lines and wrinkles when multiple treatments are performed.Hope this helps.  Good luck.

We have seen some lifting of the pigments after 6 clear and Brilliant treatments, and recommend IPL for stubborn pigments not resolved with the laser. 

A combination approach will give the most improvement. Dark spots can be improved with a combination of lasers (IPL, Fraxel, Tattoo), Aerolase, microneedling/prp, skin lightening, peels, and skin care. Sun protection is essential. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a scarring expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Clear + Brilliant Perméa is safe but would offer only minor improvements for brown spots after a series of 4-6 treatments. IPL would offer more significant improvements, but may be risky for your skin type.
The safest treatment with the most dramatic improvements for brown spots would be PicoSure Focus. PicoSure shatters pigment and does not rely on heat like most lasers, making it ideal for patients with darker skin tones.
With PicoSure, you will see significant improvements after your first treatment, with a series of 2-3 for optimal results. We have treated a number of Asian patients with pigmentation who are all very pleased with their outcomes.

Find a good provider to do an evaluation for you.  The provider needs to be very comfortable with the technology they are using and have lots of experience treating Asian skin.   IPL can be very tricky, but can also be very effective in the right hands.  If you have lighter Asian skin and darker spots, it could be a great option for you.  Be sure to discuss when you first saw this pigmentation, if it was during pregnancy, IPL could potentially make it worse.  I often use Clear and Brilliant Permea on this type of pigmentation.  I have also used Fraxel on Asian skin for pigment issues with great success.  Be sure to find an experienced provider.  Good luck!

IPL is not ALWAYS the best choice for asian skin as it is not safe for treating darker skin tones. Clear and Brilliant is an option for all skin tones and usually requires a series of treatments (3-5) for best results. Clear and Brilliant is only a portion of the treatment protocol when treating brown spots/ hyperpigmentation. Using a pre-lightening regime of skin care products before the treatments, as well as a quality SPF is essential for achieving and maintaining the best results.  

I think that clear and brilliant should be part of a solution but not the entire solution. You need a comprehensive skin and sun protection program to prevent pigmentation and brown spots from forming in the first place. Pigment is easily removed with chemical peels which we do at our Beverly Hills office on patients of all skin types and colors. Clear and brilliant is a less invasive option but will require 3-6 treatments 4 weeks apart. It can give modest results alone but better results if combined with an expert skincare program

Great question. IPL can be tricky in Asian skin which has more melanin than seen. In general, IPL works best in lighter skin types. Clear + Brilliant can be used on all skin types and works well for both sun spots and melasma. With both treatments, a series is required. Combining IPL or Clear + Brilliant with chemical peels and at home skincare products provide the best results. Good luck!

Clear and Brilliant is recommended over IPL.  But, with that said, Please consult a licensed professional in Asian skin before any treatments are given to you.