POSTED UNDER Laser Resurfacing REVIEWS
Trying to Rid Myself of This Stubborn Cheek Sunspot - Overland Park, KS
ORIGINAL POST
I finally resorted to asking my dermatologist what...
WORTH IT$100
I finally resorted to asking my dermatologist what to do about this stubborn relatively large cheek sunspot. I have had Yag laser 3-4 times on it (this initially helped lighten it but then it came back after some time) and also used hydroquinone. My dermatologist thought we could try freezing it as the freezing process worked well for a precancerous lesion I had on my forehead. He said it works good for surface spots. I will have to follow up in a couple of weeks to see if it works because right now it is blistered and really dark. After it heals, we will see if it nipped this one!
beachgirl305's provider
Replies (12)
August 19, 2015
Do you know what he used to freeze your spot??
March 13, 2016
Liquid nitrogen. The stuff works like magic! For your face, just remember to only do one at a time. I hit many different spots on my legs and arms each time but only ONE on my face. The spots are gone forever! No need to keep hitting the same dark spot again and again as you have to do with lasers and other methods
December 20, 2015
Hi Beach Girl. I think you will be very pleased. I too had the same issue. Lasers work okay, but you need repeated treatments and that gets expensive. My dermatologist did this on several of my sun spots on my face. They crust over and fall off never to be seen again!!! Hooray. I did learn that I should just do one at a time (on my face at least) so people don't think you have some horrid skin disease. It does look bad. Sometimes old school methods are better than state of the art ones.
January 9, 2016
Oh, I did wonder what it looked like after being done. I have had pre-cancerous spots done and what you describe is exactly what it looks like. I was considering having many done on my face, but after reading your comment, I might want to reconsider.
Thanks for posting.
Thanks for posting.
January 11, 2016
Hi Libertybell and Beachgirl. So my friend seemed to have your procedure where the thing crumbled off and was gone. I got resurfx laser 2x already and going for 3rd on Tuesday...it hasn't shrunk much. Wondering what your procedure was actually called. Thanks and good luck
January 9, 2016
I have many of these spots and asked my dermatologist about it. She did recommend freezing and I am considering this. Price is reasonable, 5 minutes for $150 and she said she has been able to do approximently 70 during this time. I think it is very doable.
July 22, 2016
Sounds like a great deal! The only negative about freezing is how unsightly the places are until the scab falls off. But afterwards you have new, clear skin!
March 11, 2016
I would infact ask you to use a cream, which is effective to remove sunspots. One cream I would suggest is Dermaxsol, It is a Solvaderm brand, and works for all skin types. it has SPF-30 which nourishes and hydrates the skin and will help to defend against sunburn.
UPDATED FROM beachgirl305
1 month post
Update after a month healing time
The spot is pink now and keeps getting lighter and lighter. It is a lot easier to cover with make up. After trying everything else this was the way to go for this particular stubborn and relatively large sunspot. There is no scarring. I am also using Mederma which helps lighten scars. The doctor did say that if I go in the sun and do not use protection it could darken. I do not sunbathe these days, but will take extra precaution putting sunscreen on this spot. I wear sunscreen daily.
Replies (12)
May 13, 2015
Hey I'm looking for the same solution. Keep me posted on your progress. Good luck!
June 4, 2015
It really did lighten my spot a lot. It is still slightly there, but seems to be improving over time. I can definitely cover the slight uneveness with makeup.
June 5, 2015
Your skin looks great after freezing! Was your sunspot raised or just darker than your other skin before treatment? Also, how long did it take for your skin to heal after freezing and did you have to apply anything to the site as it was healing like polysporin or Vaseline or keep it covered? What kind of sun protection do you use on it to prevent darkening from the sun. I'm getting this done soon for a spot on my cheek also. Thank-you.
June 5, 2015
Thank you. I would not say the sunspot was raised but more like slightly indented. For example, if you ran your finger over it there was a noticeable difference in texture and almost like it was not even with my skin. I believe it took at least a week, but almost two for the pink to subside a week. I did not have to keep it covered or put anything on it, but then again I work from home so did not have to go out and about. I no longer sunbathe. I have not been in the sun at all in 8 years. I wear sunscreen on my face daily and also a makesup with spf.
June 5, 2015
Hi and thanks again! I had the liquid nitrogen freezing done to my cheek today at the dermatologist. I'm hoping for a great result like you. I try to stay out of the sun as much as possible, but I gave 2 small children that love to play outside so I will always wear my sunblock and limit my exposure. Did you wear sumblock on the site as it was healing or after the scab healed? Also, are you wearing makeup in the 1 month post-op pic you posted. It looks so good! What makeup with spf and sunblock do you recommend?
December 20, 2015
I recommend CereVe sunscreen. It has zinc oxide in it which is important. I use it all the time in case I end up outside longer than I think
February 12, 2016
What happened with the freezing process?
February 18, 2016
It scabbed up immediately and took about a week to 9 days to heal. The spot has gone and not come back. No scarring either!
July 15, 2017
Hi I'm searching reviews & wondering if your spot came back. I also have a brown spot on my cheek that I have had frozen 3x in the last 10 yrs but it always reemerges. I also had IPL about five years ago. I'm at my wits end!
March 14, 2016
I use Tri-luma cream to get rid of my sun spots . And once it is gone use a high SPF sun screen and a hat .
Good luck with your treatment! I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out for you. I have a cheek spot as well (more of a freckle than yours) so I'm curious to see your results.