Is hyperpigmentation from HALO laser permanent? Do I need to treat the hyperpigmentation and if so what treatment(s)? (Photos)

Question

I'm a 30-year-old caucasian female and I got the HALO laser treatment done 5 weeks ago by a board-certified plastic surgeon. 3 1/3 weeks after the treatment I noticed hyperpigmentation on both of my cheeks. 1. Is the hyperpigmentation permanent? 2. Do I need to treat the hyperpigmentation or will it go away on its own? 3. If treatment is needed. Please advise on what type of treatment I should seek. 3. Lastly, what caused the hyperpigmentation? Was this due to improper technique?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced cosmetic dermatologist. Hypopigmentation can typically be improved with a combination of lasers and microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Matthew Bridges, MD, FACS · Answer

This may be what's called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.  You should talk to your surgeon about possibly going on some hydroquinone or other lightening treatment to settle it down.  It's definitely treatable.

Susan Buenaventura, MD, FACS · Answer

Please call your plastic surgeon right away to re evaluate this.  It is not due to improper technique; rather it is the pigment cells in your skin over reacting to the laser.  You must wear strong sunblock everyday if you haven't been, and you need a bleaching cream regimen.  It is a good time frame to treat it.  It can be treated but is not likely to go away on its own.  If you let your skin get exposed to sun early after HALO this can also contribute.  It is a side effect of laser.

Rebecca Gelber, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question and sorry you're going through this. The first thing to do is to call your doctor's office. He needs to know what is going on as he's the one with the records of the settings used and will have before as well as after pictures to compare.From there, the office is likely to start you on very strict sun avoidance and physical blocks (scarves, hats and zinc or titanium containing sunblocks). The addition of prescription strength hydroquinone, kojic acid and occasionally retinols usually make a huge difference as well. Well managed, it is very unlikely that your post-laser pigment won't resolve.

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

Was pigmentation there before HALO, if so, one needs to identify the TYPE of pigmentation. HALO is designed as a low downtime laser to treat sun spots, sun damage, and freckles, as well as provide overall skin rejuvenation. The flip side is that it can make melasma pigmentation worse. If this is melasma, medical treatments should be incorporated along with lasers (NOT HALO), but other methods like nano or pico lasers. See you plastics for advice. HALO may also have un masked the underlying melasma. All the best, Dr Davin Lim

Is hyperpigmentation from HALO laser permanent? Do I need to treat the hyperpigmentation and if so what treatment(s)? (Photos)

Answers (5)

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