Will laser hair removal clear hyperpigmentation and blackheads in bikini line?

Question

I have recently grown more hair than normal and after three pregnancies and a bit of weight gain, the hyperpigmentation in my inner thighs never fully want away. After waxing and shaving regularly for years, I also have a lot of blackheads in my inner thigh. Will laser hair removal fade the hyperpigmentation and blackheads?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser.  Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.  
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Laser hair removal will remove the hairs that caused the dark spots, but the dark spots must be treated separately.  In my patients I use a combination of topical agents for home use (like 4% hydroquinone) and in office treatments using TCA peels. Best of luck!

Tianna Tsitsis, MD · Answer

Laser Hair Removal will not get rid of hyperpigmentation and can exacerbate it depending on your skin type.  It will not help "blackheads" if that really what is there.  I would recommend seeing an experienced provider in person to give you a reasonable expectation after they examine you.

H.L. Greenberg, MD · Answer

Laser Hair Removal is a great treatment for reducing unwanted hair and shrinking the size of those hairs.  Additionally, there may be a reduction in the number of ingrown hairs after an initial series of treatments.  Anytime you change the way in which you remove hair- waxing, epilating, shaving, using an electric razor or layering, you will get a reaction.  We have 2 lasers for hair removal in my office a Yag laser for darker skin types and an Alexandrite laser for lighter skin types.  Make sure the right laser is chosen for your skin type.  Black heads need to be extracted, lasers probably won't get rid of them.  Hyperpigmentation may fade in lighter skin types with an Alexandrite laser as a side effect of the treatment, but most likely another therapy- bleaching cream or Q switched Yag may be necessary to remove the unwanted discoloration.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

A bleaching cream will help decrease the pigmentation in the area and laser hair removal will reduce the hair and prevent the breakouts in that area.  Please make sure they choose the correct laser hair based on your hair and skin type.  Best, Dr. Green

Will laser hair removal clear hyperpigmentation and blackheads in bikini line?

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