Sun spots, liver spots, freckles and other unwanted pigmentation are often associated with skin ageing and over exposure to the sun or sunbeds. From the age of around 25 the skin is less able to regenerate from sun. Damage, freckles and age spots start to appear. Generally these marks on the skin pose no health risk, however they can be unsightly and create a patchy, less youthful appearance. Freckling and age spots are successfully lightened or removed with Laser treatment.
However not all pigmentation concerns are as a result of sun exposure and some people are born with pigmented birthmarks or may have melasma, a skin pigmentation condition often associated with pregnancy, hormones or ethnicity These types of pigment are not suitable for Laser pigment removal.
Laser Pigment removal treatment is a relatively quick and easy procedure. Age spots and freckles can be lightened or removed in as little as one to 5 treatment sessions.
How does it work?
The laser selectively targets areas of excess pigment safely breaking down the excess melanin. The sun spots or freckles darken in the first few days after treatment and then the excess melanin sheds naturally away or is naturally absorbed by the body’s immune system.
Treatment is suitable for you if:
• You want a more even skin tone
• You want to reduce areas of excess freckling
• You want to target a specific age spot
Laser treatment can remove the imperfections caused by a wide variety of benign pigmented lesions.
What the treatment feels like.
The light from the laser is emitted in pulses. Each pulse feels like a light elastic band snap against the skin. Both children and adults vary in their level of pain tolerance. An anaesthetic cream (EMLA) may be obtained at a pharmacy, without a prescription, for use by patients with a low pain threshold to minimise discomfort.
How the skin looks and feels after a treatment.
After each pulse of the laser light the targeted skin is grey/dark in appearance and you may see a red ring form around the pigment. Subsequent blistering and crusting may occur, as the top layer of the skin turns over. The length of time it takes for the crust to fall off depends on the depth of the pigment in the skin and the location of the lesion on the body. The pigment does not necessarily fade evenly, and several sessions may be required before all the pigment disappears.
Amount of Treatments Required
The number of treatment sessions depends on the size, location, depth and colour of the pigmented lesion. These factors also determine the cost.
Superficial lesions, such as age spots, usually require fewer sessions than a deeper lesion. In certain instances, not all of the pigment can be removed.
Treatment sessions are spaced four to six weeks apart. This allows the collecting cells of the immune system to gather up the maximum amount of left over pigment between each session.
Are the pigment removal lasers safe?
Yes, these Cynosure elite MPX laser is safe. Safety goggles must be worn by both the patient and the laser practitioner during the procedure to protect the eyes from the bright light.
Risks/side effects?
A potential complication with this procedure is hypopigmentation, where the treated area ends up being lighter than the surrounding tissue. The risk of scarring is very low because the laser light is absorbed by the targeted pigment, leaving the surrounding tissue relatively untouched. Infection is possible, but unlikely if the lesion is properly cared for by the patient after the treatment.
Take this opportunity to discover the positive effects laser therapy can have on your physical appearance.
For more information about:
Laser pigmentation removal at the Angel Laser Clinic contact us.