Skin Renewal
If you have some sort of skin discoloration, you’re not alone. In fact, facial brown spots and discoloration are the top reasons for cosmetic visits to dermatologists.
Although you may have tried and failed with previous efforts to erase pigment, newer technologies have resulted in some remarkable outcomes. Laser treatments represent a breakthrough in age-defying skin care that treats skin non-invasively.
What are pigmented lesions?
Pigmentation is the color in your skin produced by melanin, a natural pigment that also determines eye and hair color. However, if too much melanin is produced in one area, the result is a brown patch on your skin. Too much melanin can result from:
• Sun exposure
• Aging
• Heredity or congenital factors
Common pigmented lesions include:
• Age Spots or “Liver” Spots: Smaller darkened patches usually on older adults who have been exposed to the sun for many years. These spots can be seen on the face, forearms and backs of hands.
• Post-inflammatory Hyper-Pigmentation: This type of hyper-pigmentation results from any inflammatory injury or trauma to the skin. For example, acne often leaves dark discoloration after a blemish heals. Rashes like psoriasis and eczema often darken the skin as well.
Pigmented lesions can vary in size, shape and depth. Some are no bigger than a fingertip or even a pinhead, while others may be as large as a hand and occur in 15
conspicuous places such as the face, neck or arms. They can be either raised or flat and are usually a cosmetic rather than a medical concern. However, all pigmented lesions need to be looked at prior to treatment to confirm. During your consultation we will determine if your pigmented lesions are safe to treat.
†Models used for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary and are not guaranteed.
How it Works
What is laser treatment for pigment?
Laser treatments use short, safe bursts of light to target and treat specific skin conditions. Today’s lasers are very sophisticated and carefully deliver the appropriate amount of energy for your specific skin.
Our lasers are specifically designed to target the excessive pigmented cells producing the unwanted spot. They provide a treatment that’s fast, easy and well-tolerated. It can make your skin look younger by removing age spots, sun spots, uneven pigmentation, diffuse redness and by stimulating collagen production thus improving your skin texture.
How does laser treatment work?
Our lasers deliver precise amounts of energy to effectively treat unwanted pigment and improve sun-damaged skin. The laser handpiece is placed over the skin where the brown spot or other pigmentation sits and a bright flash of light is released. This light is absorbed by the pigment in sunspots and converted to heat. The heat damages the cells that created the pigment and cause your body to naturally dispose of this tissue while creating new, healthy tissue.
Technology We Use
Here at Elena’s Medi Spa I use the most advanced system available – the Elite+™ laser from Cynosure®. The Elite+™ is best-in-class and lets us give you the results you want.
2 in 1. The Elite+™ is actually two lasers in one system. Each laser is better at targeting different unwanted conditions, giving you the best result possible. 16
Safe & Effective. Thousands of treatments have been performed with the Elite+™ laser and it has been proven safe and effective on patients of all skin types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treatments are very well tolerated. Many clients describe the treatment as a ‘warm sensation’ or the snap of a rubber band.
The procedure typically takes less than 20 minutes to perform depending on the size of the area or number of pigmented lesions being treated.
Often you will see great results after the first treatment session but 2-3 sessions may be required for optimal outcomes.
You will need to avoid the sun, tanning beds and self-tanning creams and lotions prior to treatment. There may be some medications that you will need to avoid and your physician will cover these during your consultation.
Some patients experience a mild sunburn sensation for a short time after the procedure. We may apply some ice immediately following your treatment to help minimize this. 20
The pigmented lesions will darken over the next few days. The area will look a bit “dirty” or dark for about a week. Over this time, the treated skin will slough off, revealing fresh new skin.
Typically, you can resume regular daily activities immediately following treatment. Makeup can be applied to the treated area immediately, if necessary.
It is extremely important to apply a moisturizer with SPF30 sun block and avoid sun exposure on a daily basis to prevent additional sun damage.
Our laser specialists can give you a consultation and talk with you about your skin type to confirm if you would be a good candidate for this treatment.
Laser pigment clearance can be performed on the face and chest, as well as on the hands, arms and legs.
This will often depend on the pigmented lesion you have. For some brown spots, only a single treatment is needed, for others, a series of treatments may be recommended. Often you will see improvements within a couple weeks, with further improvements on subsequent treatments until you have achieved the over-all improvement you desire.