Sun Damage - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Sun Damage or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
KTP Laser
Overview:
This double pulsed Nd:YAG laser treats facial blood vessels and spider veins.
Expected results:
Reduction of unwanted blood vessels.
Preparation:
Sunscreen for several weeks. Avoidance of alcohol prevents the dilation of blood vessels especially with rosacea.
Post treatment instructions:
Sun protection for 6 weeks after each treatment. Avoidance of alcohol for 2 weeks after each procedure.
Time to desired results:
1-4 treatments 4-6 weeks apart may be necessary to eradicate unwanted blood vessels.
Contraindications:
Recent tan. Skin types that never burn.
Duration of desired effects:
5-7 years. After this time, our body will form new vessels, especially in genetically determined spider veins.
Downtime:
Redness, swelling and bruising for several days, bruising for up to 3 months with leg vein treatment. Scarring is rare but may occur.
Related Procedures
Hello,
I have had freckles all over my chest, shoulders arms and back since I was little. My stomach, legs, and face are creamy smooth with no freckles, spots or moles. I am not concerned with the moles on my back, I am concerned with the freckles on my arms, shoulders and upper chest/neck.
I spent $1,200 at a dermatologist in Center City Philadelphia with no result. They used IPL. They agreed that there were no results, they were shocked, they had said they thought the treatment would work “beautifully” on me, I have very pale skin.
They tried several different lasers at different strengths etc. Nothing worked and I felt awkward in showing up over and over again so I just stopped trying with them. I have read your other responses and see that spots on the body may be more difficult to treat than spots on the face. Is there any hope for me? Would you perform a “test” spot before treatment to confirm it would, indeed work?
Given the history of 3 unsuccessful IPL treatments as well as several failed distinct laser treatments, review of all treatments parameters is essential in planning any next step and to determine if treatment is possible. If you wish to get ahead, please schedule a cosmetic telehealth visit with me and forward all treatment records for review prior to this appointment. If treatment is possible, we will schedule complimentary test spots when the COVID 19 crisis is over.
I have post inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) on legs and arms. I am african American (Fitzpatrick V). Do you have a laser to remove PIH?
Post inflammtory hyerpigmentation on the face, chest and back can usually resolve with treatment, but it is not easy to remove post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on arms and legs, and there is no specific laser for this task.
Picosecond lasers often afford treatment possibility for stubborn hyperpigmentation on extremities. These types of lasers are colorblind and can safely be used on all skin tones. When we use we also assure that the process must be accompanied by meticulous sun protection (sun protective clothing or broad-spectrum SPF>30), fading agents including kojic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid or azelaic acid and by vigilant hydration of skin. You may schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our aestheticians to find out if you are a candidate.
I have like 5 to 6 times darker inner thigh and buttocks compared to my face. Can laser treatment correct it n bring it closer to my other body skin.
Darkening of skin occurs on inner upper thighs and buttocks occurs with repeated friction. Removal of friction removes the darkening. There are no known other remedies.
I’m 50, have very pale skin and have up to 1cm wide brown spots (from sun exposure) on my legs and forearms. My lower legs are my main concern. I had an expensive series of IPL with zero results. I’ve tried 4 treatments of 12.5% tca (2-3 layers each treatment) with zero results even though I peeled a lot. Once I had salicylic acid of unknown strength on one spot that worked very well (it burned/left area pink for a few weeks so seemed pretty strong). I had a spot frozen on my face that was 100% effective and not uncomfortable like the tca is. I don’t mind discomfort if it works. Can I have my spots reduced/removed on my legs by freezing? Or is there another treatment that would actually work, even if my spots are very resistant or deep? (I have never had my spots treated at Ringpfeil, and just to exclude the question, yes I’ve used sunscreen throughout all treatments; I wear it every day all over my body, even indoors). Thank you!
Sun spots on the legs are much harder too remove than on the face. Freezing is an option considering the failure of the other methods, yet success on the face does not constitute the same on the legs. Cryosurgery can leave the skin lighter than the surrounding. In this scenario, you should aim to treat one spot first, see if and how it responds, and only proceed with treatment of others after 6-8 weeks if you are happy with results.
Hello Dr. Ringpfeil,
I have a medium dark skin tone and suffer from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from blemishes. What would be the best treatment to get rid of my brown spots? Peel, laser, or cream (I am currently using Differin because I don’t want to use hydroquinone)? In the past, I got some brown spots when I used the retin-A that never faded.
I have two cafe-au-lait macules on my leg and my stomach that I also want to get rid of. Would laser treatment be the best option?
Best regards,
Melissa
This blog format addresses general concepts. An in-person consultation would be most appropriate to address your very specific concerns.
I have acne scarring hypo pigment from laser and the previous acne. I also have some melasma.
Please schedule a consultation at our office.
Dear Dr Ringfeil,
I am an Asian (Fitz IV -V) in my mid-forties with freckles. I have tried long pulse Alexandrite with good improvement, but then after a few years (about once a year visit) seemed to stop making a difference.
Please can you let me know if you have a recommendation?
Thanks very much.
Y
You might try the Picosure Focus Lens.
Hello,
I am a 45 year old Asian woman and I have hori’s nevus on my cheeks and nostrils. I also have melasma on my cheeks and forehead/temples. I have read that a Q-Switch ND Yag Laser 1064 nm or picosure laser could help fade this. I have used the melanage peel twice and have used the jessner peel twice as well (both a few years ago). The melanage peels made the melasma on my temples worse. The jessner peels did nothing to fade the discoloration. Have you had success with either of these laser for my issues? and what would be the cost for the entire face?
Thank you.
Both lasers can treat Hori’s nevus. The picosure laser can treat both Hori’s nevus and melasma. Both conditions will need several treatments at least 6 weeks apart. And both can be treated at the same time.
Hi. I fell about 9 months ago on the concrete sidewalk which left a really dark spot under my eye almost immediately. Can that discoloration be removed and what would be the best laser for it if it’s asphalt tattoo?
If the darkening is from asphalt, and ablative treatment is usually the way to remove the asphalt particles. Fractional ablation by CO2 laser rather than full ablation by CO2 laser or dermabrasion might be sufficient. With a fractional technique the healing is very fast and there will be no difference in color between treated and non-treated skin but several treatments might be needed for full success. If the darkening is from a deep seated bruise, fading agents combined with microdermababrsaion or picosure laser would be appropriate. You may schedule a consultation with me at the Haverford office.
I am an African-American man who suffers from hyperpigmentation on the back, buttocks, shoulders and upper arms due to acne scaring. I have recently started using a 10% benzyl peroxide wash, which has helped to keep the acne at bay, but it does nothing for the dark acne spots. I have read that microdermabrasion and/or chemical peels may not be the best option for those with darker or sensitive skin. However, I am open to suitable treatment options. Does your practice offer any services for this issue?
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the type of darkening of skin created after inflammation resolves. It is often prominent with acne. It is generally treated with fading agents, microdermabrasion or theor combination and peels depending on the extent and spread on the body. Microdermabrasion is safe for all skin types and shades. (Dermabrasion is only suitable for fair skin). Peels that simply reduce pigment such as Melanage peel are color blind and were created for all skin types. Glycolic acid peels up to a certain percentage can be safe, too. The strength that will help improve hyperpigmentation is usually used in medical offices but even low percentage peels in spas can help. Glycolic acid peels are not usually used as the sole method of pigment fading, whereas as any of the others above are.