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POSTED UNDER Laser Hair Removal REVIEWS

Hypopigmentation Following 3rd LHR Treatment - Carmel, IN

ORIGINAL POST

I had my 3rd treatment of LHR on my lower legs...

Wellthissucks
$750
I had my 3rd treatment of LHR on my lower legs about a month ago. The procedure was much more painful than the first two treatments, but nothing felt different about it after the treatment was over. The next morning I woke up with crescent shaped dark brown marks all over my legs, especially the shin area. I immediately called the laser center. They instructed me to use aquaphor and aloe, told me these burns were superficial and over a few weeks they would heal without complication. I'm now 4 weeks out and VERY concerned that I have permanent hypopigmentation. I'm extremely depressed at the thought if being sentenced to wearing full length pants and skirts and avoiding the sun like a vampire for the rest if my life!! It's so depressing. I'd rather have to shave a forest of hair off my legs every day than be scarred and forced to hide the rest of my life!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Wellthissucks's provider

Dr. Robert Jackson

Replies (9)

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September 7, 2014
Oh no! Sorry you are feeling so horrible, give it some time as hypopigmentation can resolve itself over a few months. Research Manuka Honey, I have had amazing results when using it both orally and externally for skin care, and I have read it can help with hypo/hyperpigmentation. Feel free to post a question to our doctors on site to see what they have to say. Keep us posted ok. 
December 4, 2014
I got laser hair removal for under arms and same thing happened to me. It was darker than before. I asked esthetician, she told me use the lighting cream or breach cream will helps. So I am still using skin lightening cream over one year but I think it's still same.... :( maybe I should go dermatologist. I hope you will recover:)
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December 6, 2014

Sorry that you are having some complications, are you seeing any improvement in the hypopigmentation?

UPDATED FROM Wellthissucks
2 months post

No change

Wellthissucks
Still no change. The doc had his esthetician do a chemical peel on my legs 5 days ago, which did nothing. It didn't even cause flaking. The esthetician was quite grim about my prognosis and flat out told me this was not going to go away. The doc does not know she said that.
He instructed me to start using Lyrera skin brightening/lightening lotion on my legs and return in 2 weeks. I'm trying to stay positive, but I'm very very worried. It's been really difficult to hide this for 6 weeks. I can't imagine having to hide the rest of my life! I lose sleep over this, have awful dreams about it and cry a lot. It's extremely depressing.

Replies (4)

September 28, 2014
hi there, please dont worry too much. my whole legs are affected and they are probably 10x worse than yours. i know the dermatologists say no cure and in most cases the pigment may come back but even then they are not sure which is horrifying. all i can suggest it to google mircoskin . they have foundation which lasts 2-3 days and you can buy samples to see which colour suits you best and just apply on your legs. that's what i am doing. my husband tells me that it is nothing compared to being diagnosed with cancer or life threatening illness and he is right. so i wish you all the best and like myself, i know you can learn to live life :)
October 4, 2014
Thank you for the encouraging words. I'm trying to stay positive. Please keep me posted on how your legs are doing too!!
September 28, 2014
hi there, please dont worry too much. my whole legs are affected and they are probably 10x worse than yours. i know the dermatologists say no cure and in most cases the pigment may come back but even then they are not sure which is horrifying. all i can suggest it to google mircoskin . they have foundation which lasts 2-3 days and you can buy samples to see which colour suits you best and just apply on your legs. that's what i am doing. my husband tells me that it is nothing compared to being diagnosed with cancer or life threatening illness and he is right. so i wish you all the best and like myself, i know you can learn to live life :)
February 20, 2017
Try using lemon and bicarbonate soda
UPDATED FROM Wellthissucks
3 months post

Now I have a new issue

Wellthissucks
Well the doc had his esthetician do another chemical peel on my legs. That was 9 days ago and for the past week I've been dealing with a horrible, red, hot, itchy rash. I'm going through lots of hydrocortisone cream trying to manage the severe itching. My legs looks SO bad!!! The hypopigmentation is unchanged, but the rash is a bigger concern at this point. I'm overwhelmed!!

Replies (3)

October 15, 2014
hey how have you goe? sorry to hear this has happened to you.. has it gone away now?
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October 24, 2014
How scary, have you seen any improvement yet?
April 8, 2015