Melasma after laser hair removal

[skincaretips]

I've been having laser hair removal on my upper lip and chin and now have developed a melasma moustache.

I've just got back from a sunny holiday, wearing spf50 but the sun has made it much worse.

I checked numerous times at my appointments with the women doing the procedures that I would be ok to go on this holiday and always was told that it would be fine, no warnings of any potential side effects. I had no idea what melasma was until I developed it and googled it myself, no warning from the company that this was a possible side effect (it's a national chain company) and I am just gutted to be honest. Debating whether to call them up and complain?

But does anyone have any experience of this or can recommend the best treatments to reduce it? Thank you

Wow that’s terrible.

I suffer with melsma too, interesting as I had laser hair removal years ago and developed it after, didn’t know there was a link….

Yes definitely complain.
Have you finished the course of laser? How close to the holiday did you finish or have your last app?
I had bikini line done and was told not to expose it to sun between treatments because it would be harder to pick up the hair colour after.
If you complain they could help fix it for free or a reduced cost if they have the means.

I’d definitely contact them and see what they can do to put it right.

I had melasma (chased by hormonal changes though - it’s really common) and a prescription from Dermatica for Tretinoin and Hydroquinone solved it.

Thanks everyone, I have ordered the Dermatica treatment and have also ordered 3 different mineral face sunscreens. Can already tell this is going to cost me a fortune.

I will call them today to complain, I'm just feeling a bit wounded and actually a bit emotional about it as just so gutted I have done this to myself due to a vanity beauty treatment, wish I could turn back the clock! So trying to 'put my big girl pants on' (as they say) and make the call

@Amelion please could you explain what tretionin is? Is it a cream, does it burn 😬

It was a loooong time ago but I had laser hair removal and was told to use spf50 ou higher for a while and to stay away from the sun (not sure exactly for how long but I think it was 2 weeks-ish or more). In fact I was told not to do it during summer and they also tested my skin a few weeks before to see how sensitive it was.
I'm pretty pale and the darker your skin the more prone you'll be to get melasma from laser hair removal and in most reputable places, if you're black-skinned they won't do it because the risk's too high.

@Workinghardeveryday I don’t want to sound unhelpful but loads of information available via Google or by searching the threads on here. Google will give you much more than I can.

I'm also pale and dark haired, I'm 99% sure it's the sun exposure that has done it although when I left my last treatment (before sun exposure) I did notice some discolouration above my lip then but assumed it was normal from the heat. Now am thinking otherwise.

I did phone the clinic and they told me to send in photos and come in this weekend so they can diagnose, but I'm not going to waste my time and will just go to a dermatologist instead. She said the upper lip area is prone to melasma and I asked why I was never given any warning to this, she said the consent form mentions pigmentation but by what I have read pigmentation and melasma are 2 different things. She kept saying about the melasma being hormonal and maybe I've always had it and the laser brought it out - I've never had anything like this before ever.

I'm just so gutted I now have to deal with this forever

OP, I'm not sure whether you should focus on Vitamin A or glycolic acid tbh. Instead of throwing money at things you aren't sure will work you should go to a dermatologist because a peeling with glycolic acid (done by a professional who uses higher concentrations which aren't available over the counter) might potentially sort out your problem in a way that will end up beeing cheaper and more effective in the long run and then you continue with the Vitamin A but a pro should be the one to advise you. You only have one face, don't be cheap on what matters!

OP, don't be upset! First of all, you should have been advised to not do it before going on holiday to a sunny place (I was! and to use SPF before/after and not do lasers after going to the beach either), now they're just trying to get out of it! I'm not sure it's legal to diagnose stuff like these over the phone but that's a personal opinion.
Don't despair, a proper peeling will likely get rid of any "stains" I think (though I'm no expert!). The thing is you should be advised by a professional because now might not be the time to do it (summer's around the corner) and you have to be 100% sure of what caused it.

Vitamin C serum is good for pigmentation.

I had similar with an IPL device - I think it darkened gradually over the sessions because one day I looked in the mirror and saw a shadow and then realised it wasn't a shadow 😫

Anyway, I started using a serum and I would say within a couple months my upper lip area looked back to normal. It started making a difference within a week.