What Are These Stains After Alexandrite Laser Treatment for Hair Removal? (photo)

Question

Hi everybody. First of all, I'm sorry for my English, I'm spanish. I had alexandrite laser treatment for hair removal. This day I got stains. At first, stains were red, nine days after this They are brown. I've neve felt pain, neither crusts nor itchy. So I don't know If I got burns, hyperpigmentation, irritations or another kind of dermatitis. Thanks you in advance.

Michael B. Lyons, MD, FAACS · Answer

These represent increased pigment in the skin from the laser energy causing irritation (redness). The treatment I usually prescribe for this condition includes UV exposure avoidance for 6 months, sun block, bleaching cream (hydroquinone 4%), and if minimal or no response add Retin- A along with a mild topical steroid.

	I will usually avoid retreatment with the same laser. Good Luck, M.Lyons, MD

Omar Ibrahimi, MD, PhD · Answer

It appears that you had erythema and then hyperpigmentation from your treatment. Be sure to mention that to your dermatologist before your next laser treatment.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

They appear to be hyperpigmentation. Make sure you keep sunscreen on this area, as burning it could make the hyperpigmentation discolor more and even make it permanent. Please make sure your technician knows this happened, because increasing your laser settings at all could result in serious and possibly permanent burns.

What Are These Stains After Alexandrite Laser Treatment for Hair Removal? (photo)

Answers (3)