Fraxel laser caused /revealed lots of dark freckles. Will they go away? (Photos)

Question

I just received Fraxsel laser treatment around my eyes for wrinkles. While the wrinkles look to be gone, what has also appeared are new dark freckles in the treated area. I’m a natural redhead and already had freckles but they are very light and few. My treatment was yesterday- will they go back to normal? F

William J. Hall, MD · Answer

If you already had the freckles there before and they were light, the fraxel treatment will bring them out make them look darker and then flake off and they will pretty much be gone once the skin is healed. Let the healing process take its course. Your skin will look brighter and better once the haling is done. Your skin should start flaking 3 days after the treatment and will continue to heal for the next 5 days.

William Groff, DO · Answer

Fraxel’s laser energy has initiated a healing response in your skin. Hyperpigmented lesions, like freckles, are now darkening in response to the energy, but will soon flake off, leaving your skin looking clear and bright. This takes weeks, because it’s a natural process. Be sure to consult your board-certified dermatologist if you don’t see glowing, healthy, and clear looking skin a few weeks from now, but my guess is that you will!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

It can take several weeks for laser results to settle. I recommend following up with your Doctor for recommendations for aftercare. We use a specific protocol of exfoliation, hydration, and moisturizing along with protection after laser treatments. PDT therapy can calm any inflammation. I always combine lasers with Microneedling/PRP to get more of an outcome. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Marguerite A. Germain, MD · Answer

Hi Missy, 
What you are experiencing now is the healing process of swelling and pigmentation coming to the surface.  The pigmentation will slough off starting around day 3 and will take 5-7 days to slough off completely.

Christopher Dannaker, DO, MPH, FAAD · Answer

Hi Missy: 
You probably had a Fraxel “Restore”1550 nm treatment. Even though this is a non- ablative wavelength there is some skin dryness and slight to moderate darkening as the deep pixels of heated skin exfoliate, working their way to the surface, typically 3-4 days post treatment. These tiny dry dots of skin should flake off nicely over the next week and are temporary. To prevent post treatment hyperpigmentation, which could occur later- at approximately 3 weeks post treatment- remember to follow your physician’s instructions to protect the treated area from ultraviolet light, usually with physical barrier type sunblocks.
 Treating eyelid lines with non-ablative lasers is a great choice but remember it will require a series of three or more Fraxels. While the skin is laying down new collagen, usually for three or more months after a treatment, lines may, as swelling dissipates, temporarily appear to be more pronounced. There is no need to be concerned. Best to evaluate your results three months after a series of three or more Fraxel Restore treatments.
Always seek out an experienced board certified physician to help avoid potential complications and to maximize your results. Physicians will usually increase the laser power and /or density settings with each treatment provided your previous treatment healed as expected.

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

The minimal standard of after care should have been discussed. Your wrinkles are less due to swelling. Collagen stimulation takes 2-4 months. Your dark spots should fade in time and flake off within 5-6 days. A diagnosis should have been given regarding your skin condition, as Fraxel can make freckles better but worsen melasma. Post op care should be discussed with the patient one on one, not on a forum, as we don't  have 1. Your pre laser photos 2. Your history 3. Your diagnosis 4. Your treatment levels. We try our best to help the community but cases like this should have been followed up by your provider. Dr Davin Lim. Fraxel Advisory Board- International.

Fraxel laser caused /revealed lots of dark freckles. Will they go away? (Photos)

Answers (6)

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