I had 5 laser treatments to remove brown spots earlier this year. I am obsessive about using sun protection and staying out of the sun. I am finding that most of the spots that were either removed or greatly faded are back! In addition, I have a lot of new ones. I recently read Dr Baumann's book and I am a DSPW, age 42. I knew I was all four of these, so it didn't come as a big surprise, however, what did come as a huge surprise was the list of ingredients she gives as promoting pigmentation. Some of these ingredients were in my skin care products, especially my cleanser. I have since stopped using those products, but I am left wondering if it is normal to have aggressive laser and having the spots return. Has this happened to anyone else who has undergone laser? Thank you.

I had 5 laser treatments to remove brown spots earlier this year. I am obsessive about using sun protection and staying out of the sun. I am finding that most of the spots that were either removed or greatly faded are back! In addition, I have a lot of new ones. I recently read Dr Baumann's book and I am a DSPW, age 42. I knew I was all four of these, so it didn't come as a big surprise, however, what did come as a huge surprise was the list of ingredients she gives as promoting pigmentation. Some of these ingredients were in my skin care products, especially my cleanser. I have since stopped using those products, but I am left wondering if it is normal to have aggressive laser and having the spots return. Has this happened to anyone else who has undergone laser? Thank you.

Yes, I had the laser treatment done on about 4 medium sized brown spots on my face about three years ago mine was a one time procedure though. I had similiar results as you. It looked good for the first two years, but this year I noticed they were starting to show again. I am pretty diligent with the sunscreen as well, but I have two small children and I am outside alot with them. I should probably wear a hat, but I just don't really care for them.

I didn't realize that certain products can affect pigimentation so I will keep a look out for that. This does go to show that either laser isn't as good as it brags to be, because for the cost they should be highly effective or our skin is extremely "high maintenance" (don't like to use that word but.....).

Have your tried using any of the perscription lightening creams? I have an appointment with the dermatologist in a week and I am going to ask if I can try it for a couple of months and see if it will lighten them back up. I am thinking it might help as they haven't gotten as dark as they origianlly were.

Good luck,

Karen

I think I have been on 4% hydroquinone for as long as I remember. It lightens slightly and only some of my spots. My worst area is a melasma patch I have on my lower right cheek, which so far, I have been unsuccessful lightening with the Rx. I am probably going to try Triluma next. I have never tried any retinoid product since my skin is so flaky and peels naturally. I did have several very strong TCA peels almost 2 years ago and that did absolutely nothing- I didn't even peel. My dermatologist said I probably have "chemically resistant skin."

The shadow I have on my upper lip (since my pregnancies) is what bothers me the most. No makeup or concealer truly covers it. It is a mix of red broken capillaries and light browning. I had the capillaries lasered and it looked good for about 2 months but they came back.

I just don't know what to do..... ??? :- Maybe I should try Triluma first and another round of laser later.

I had been on hydroquinone, too, plus varous over the counter combos of other ingredients, for years. And nothing did more than minor lightening. The TriLuma was absolutely a miracle! For the first time in years I have been able to use only a tinted moisturizer and have no sign of three fairly large spots on one cheek.

I am now using it less frequently in a maintenance mode.

It is expensive, though, so be sitting down when you get it priced.

I posted this elsewhere, but if you do get tri-luma, go to their webiste (www.triluma.com, I believe) and they have a rebate program. You have to have your original pharmacy receipt, but you do get $25 back!