Hypopigmentation from Laser Hair Removal

Hypopigmentation is a lightening of your skin color. Injuries or skin conditions are the primary cause of hypopigmentation. Treatment depends on what caused hypopigmentation, but it may involve medications or therapies. If you have scars or albinism, there’s no treatment available.

Hypopigmentation is a condition characterized by a low amount of melanin in the skin, resulting in patches of lighter-colored skin compared to the surrounding areas. Melanin is the pigment responsible for giving color to our skin, hair, and eyes. When the skin cells fail to produce enough melanin, certain areas of the skin may appear lighter in color. This condition can be caused by various factors, including genetics, certain medical conditions, and exposure to certain chemicals or medications. Treatment options for hypopigmentation may include topical creams, laser therapy, or cosmetic procedures to help even out the skin tone.

Loss of colour after laser hair removal

Not long ago, I had a reader call about treating light spots on her face. She got them after a laser treatment. When your skin loses color like hers did, it’s called hypopigmentation. It often happens after laser treatments that target one specific color – called a chromophore. Lasers that work this way are very good at removing dark spots, tattoos or hair; but in some cases, they work too well. The dark spot, hair, or tattoo is removed, but so is all of the pigment in the treated area. Only a light spot remains.

The people most frequently affected have dark skin and have had multiple treatments. Usually their color loss is temporary, but for some it is permanent. This also happens in people who have skin resurfacing treatments where the entire top layer of skin is removed.

So now you are aware that low levels of melanin can result in hypopigmentation, a light spot on the skin. (Melanin is what gives skin its color.) But there are other causes of color loss besides lasers.

Diseases (like Vitiligo, Seborrheic dermatitis, or Tinea versicolor) can cause light spots. And skin injuries (like infections, pimples, blisters, or scrapes), burns, or any kind of trauma can also cause hypopigmentation. When an injury causes inflammation and damage leading to color loss, it is called post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, or PIH.

So what can you do about light spots and hypopigmentation?

Treating hypopigmentation is tricky. If you get light spots that don’t go away, be sure to see a dermatologist. The best treatment option will depend on what’s causing your hypopigmentation, the amount of light skin you have, and the result you want to achieve.

There are many treatments for hyperpigmentation. There aren’t nearly so many for hypopigmentation.
Phototherapy is effective if you have hypopigmentation from laser treatments (laser-induced hypopigmentation). These treatments include laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal or laser skin resurfacing. It uses ultraviolet (UV) light from special lamps.

Best Cream for Hypopigmentation

Hypopigmentation is a common skin condition that can result from the production of too little pigment in the skin, leading to patches of skin that appear lighter than their surrounding skin. Treatment options for this condition include micro-needling, skin grafting, blister grafting, bimatoprost and laser treatment, combination therapy, and cosmetic solutions like makeup, cosmetic tattooing, and Dermablend makeup.

Micro-needling involves creating tiny punctures in the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing process to produce new collagen and elastin. Skin grafting or blister grafting are recommended if other treatments are ineffective, as they leave no scarring. Bimatoprost and laser treatment, which increases pigment production and enhances penetration into the skin, have been shown to be effective in treating hypopigmentation. Combination therapy studies have also shown that combining fractional laser treatments with bimatoprost and other topical agents can lead to over 50% improvement in the condition for more than 85% of participants.

If medical treatments do not yield desired results, cosmetic solutions such as makeup, cosmetic tattooing, and Dermablend makeup may be beneficial. These treatments can be combined to create a personalized approach to managing hypopigmentation. It is essential to consult a dermatologist to develop a personalized approach to managing hypopigmentation.

Hypopigmentation disorders, such as vitiligo, can cause skin to lose its color, leading to hypopigmentation. If a skin condition causes hypopigmentation, medications may help restore color to the skin, while genetic conditions may make hypopigmentation permanent. It is crucial to use sunscreen on light patches of skin and consult a healthcare provider if hypopigmentation affects mental health.

Hypopigmentation treatment depends on the cause of the skin’s lightening. If hypopigmentation is caused by injuries or skin treatment, it usually goes away after a few weeks or months. If hypopigmentation is a symptom of a skin condition, certain medications can be used, such as corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors. Phototherapy is effective for treating laser-induced hypopigmentation, including laser hair removal, tattoo removal, or skin resurfacing.