Pigmentation after laser hair removal is typically secondary to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and this can unfortunately be a rather difficult problem to correct. With that said, we have several different modalities to treat this at Quintessa Medical Spa the most common of which is broadband light. Broadband light is a newer form of intense pulse light that can target the pigment in this area and help to get rid of it with no downtime. In conjunction with the broadband light, it is absolutely necessary that the patient apply sunblock to these areas on a daily basis as any sort of sun exposure is going to prevent the improvement from occurring and could potentially even cause worsening of the hyperpigmentation. In conjunction with the broadband light and sunblock we also place the patient on a skin care product that contains hydroquinone. Hydroquinone helps to block the enzyme that is used to create melanin or pigment and thereby makes it more difficult for the body to create these dark spots. Hydroquinone is really not a true bleaching cream, but it does prevent the deposition of additional melanin and the body’s own natural cellular turnover helps to get rid of the existing pigment as does the treatments with broadband light.
