What causes these unwanted spots?
Melanin is what give our skin its colour. The amount of melanin in your skin determines if you have a light or dark complexion. Pigmented lesions are dark in colour because the melanin is concentrated in one area of the skin, usually as a results of overexposure to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays.
How does a laser remove unwanted pigment in the skin?
Q-Switched Nd:YAG lasers produce a special wavelength of light that is absorbed by pigmented lesions. The light vibrates and shatters the pigment, breaking the melanin into micro-particles and lightening the lesion. You’ll notice the spot turning grey or white for a few minutes, a natural response of the skin as it absorbs the energy. The spot will then turn darker and slough off completely within one or two weeks.
What types of pigmented lesions can a laser remove?
Lasers work well to remove brown age spots, freckles and other brown birthmarks, such as café-au-lait spots and Nevus of Ota. Melasma treatment generally takes around 10 treatments, melasma can often come back and you need to maintain it with skincare and laser treatments.
Do lasers remove my normal skin pigmentation also?
No. The laser light is specifically designed to target the dark concentrations of melanin. After concentrated deposit of melanin is removed, some whitening could occur. However, your body’s natural regenerative system will replace the normal melanin over a period of time, returning the skin to its natural colour.
How many treatments sessions will it take to remove the pigmented lesion?
Most pigmented lesions are removed within one to two treatments. Some deeper lesions will require more treatments.
KM Surgical offer a complimentary consultation with our experienced laser cosmetic nurses to establish which treatment can best suit you.