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CHNPigmentation
My pigmentation looks darker after laser treatment. Why?
You expected it to fade after treatment, but a few days later the patch looks darker, which is unsettling. You may worry that the treatment went wrong, or that it will stay like this.
After pigmentation treatment, the color you see on the surface may look darker for a while, so not every case should be seen as a warning sign. Here we set out which changes are fine to observe and which need to be checked.
Why does the color look darker after treatment?
Pigmentation treatment works by delivering energy to target the pigment, so right after treatment the area may look dark or a scab may form. After this period, as the skin recovers, the color often changes.
However, not every change is this kind of general course. If the skin is irritated and becomes inflamed, new pigment may be deposited in that area, so the darker state may continue over time.
What should I be careful about while watching the progress?
During this period, sun protection and moisturizing are the basics. If there is a scab, do not forcibly remove it, and avoid face washing that involves rubbing, as well as exfoliation. It is also advisable to reduce heat stimulation (such as saunas).
The table below shows the direction generally used as a reference. It varies with the type of treatment and your skin condition, so the clinic's instructions come first.
| What to check | General response |
|---|---|
| A scab or flaking skin forms | Do not forcibly remove it; moisturize and wait for it to fall off naturally |
| Sun exposure | Take care with sunscreen, a hat, and so on for a period of time |
| Face washing with rubbing, scrubs | Avoid right after treatment |
| The color keeps getting darker and lasts a long time | Have the condition checked at the clinic |
When should I go to the clinic?
If the color keeps getting darker or the area gets wider, if there are blisters, oozing, or severe pain, or if there is no change even after the course period you were told to expect has passed, please have it checked at the clinic where you were treated.
Keeping a record of the treatment date, the products you are using, and your sun exposure helps in finding the cause.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can I remove a scab when one forms?
A. Forcibly removing it may leave wounds or pigmentation, so in many cases you are advised to moisturize and wait for it to fall off on its own rather than removing it yourself. If it bothers you, please ask the clinic.
Q. How long should I wait before judging the result?
A. It depends on the type of treatment and your skin condition, so it is hard to give one answer for everyone. Rather than judging by how it looks right after treatment, it is good to have your condition checked at the point in the course that the clinic told you about.
Q. Can I have an additional treatment right away?
A. Adding irritation to skin that has not finished recovering may be a burden on it, so it is safer to decide after checking the progress.
