I've had two types of treatment. I had 3 laser treatments on my face for brown spots and rosacea. This was several years ago, and the dermatologist used two different types of lasers with each treatment. At the time the clinic offered four treatments for a set price, but I couldn't believe it would take that long. I probably should have had the 4th. It did lighten the spots and dim the redness, but since it wasn't so bad in the first place, I can't really say. I'd have to look through my old files and see if I have any before and after, or what type lasers, if any of you are that interested.
The second time was a routine visit to my regular dermatologist. I had a lot of brown freckles and spots on the backs of my hands and said something in passing that I wanted to get them layered. She told me should could treat them. It took two treatments and the improvement was great. I should go back and have more done on the fingers and sides of my thumb knuckles--they weren't really treated before. This was only a couple of years ago.
Before I had the lasers I did the Obagi on the face and back of hands. I should have just done the lasers to start, but at that time I wanted to start easy.
The pain during treatment was tolerable--annoying more than painful.
I also use the tretinoin cream but like Mo, can only tolerate it 3X a week, and I often forget that. Of course, you have to stop using it for a week or so before any face treatment. My doctor tells me they don't really know for sure if the cream helps with preventing cancers or pre-cancers, but there is enough evidence in favor to keep using it.
I'm happy I've done both. I still have to deal with pre-cancers (actinic keratosis) and that is much worse to suffer through.
