Can you get an even tan after getting laser treatments for skin discoloration?

Question

I was told I could get a skin treatment with fractionated lasers or IPL to help with the redness and sun damage from years of using no sunblock. I tan very easily naturally. I am wondering if I use sunblock and still tan will the last treatment be pointless? Or will I finally tan evenly without white/red spots all over my face? I have no intention of using tanning beds and I plan on using sunblock after on a daily basis. but I am curious how the face tans after laser treatments.

Elham Jafari, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! While as a general rule you should always protect your skin from sun damage by continuous proper application of SPF 30+ broad spectrum sun block, it's even more important to do so before and after Fractional laser treatment. Doing so before the laser will allow your provider to use a higher setting of laser, increasing the effectiveness of the treatment (we often even give brightening creams before laser to be able to go higher on the settings). After the treatment and while your skin is healing, it is also more prone to develop pigmentations (PIH) and hence you need to pay extra attention to protect it from sun damage. Once the healing is completed (2-3 months for deep Fractional CO2 laser), you can go back to your routine plans, although sun damage is never good and it's the leading cause of skin aging as well as skin cancer. The CO2 laser is not expected to have a long lasting impact on the pattern your skin tans. I hope it helps and good luck!

Robert G. Aycock, MD, FACS · Answer

When it is your first time having IPL treatments. It's recommended to have a series of 3-4 treatments to help improve the complexion of the skin. Then you can maintain the results with treatments 6 months apart. No matter how much we slather on sunblock, your skin will accumulate sun damage. White spots on the face typically means the pigment in the skin is no longer there due to sun damage. This cannot be reversed, IPL will help target the reds and browns in the skin. This should result in your skin looking  brighter and less discolored.

Violetta Mailyan, DO, MS · Answer

Please make sure you protect your skin with sunscreen and avoid any kind of tanning after a laser procedure, it is very likely that you will get hyper-pigmentation, hope that helps, Dr Violetta Mailyan.

Can you get an even tan after getting laser treatments for skin discoloration?

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Can you get an even tan after getting laser treatments for skin discoloration?

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Everything you need to know about Fractional Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.