Laser Treatment for Pigmentation

During Treatment:

Most people experience a mild snapping or tingling sensation during laser treatment. While generally well-tolerated, a topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand to enhance comfort, especially for sensitive areas.

Immediately After:

You may feel a mild sunburn in the treated area for a few hours. Some redness is expected and entirely normal.

The Days Following:

Don’t be surprised if the treated pigmentation appears temporarily darker in the days following your treatment. This is a positive sign that the pigment is breaking down. A micro-crust will form over the next few days, eventually flaking off naturally within 7-10 days. It’s crucial to avoid picking or scratching the treated area during this time to prevent scarring and allow for optimal healing.

Post-Treatment Care: Your Guide to Optimal Results

Proper aftercare is essential to maximise healing, minimise discomfort, and achieve the best long-term results from your laser treatment:

• Hydrate & Soothe: Keep the treated area well-hydrated and soothed with a gentle moisturiser. We recommend Medik8 Hydr8 B5 serum and Ultimate Recovery Intense cream for facial treatments. Your practitioner will advise suitable product recommendations for body treatments.
• Reduce Swelling & Discomfort: Apply a cool compress to the treated area to minimise swelling, redness, and discomfort.
• Makeup: You can typically wear makeup, but we suggest using breathable mineral makeup like Issada Mineral Makeup to support skin recovery.
• Skip Harsh Skincare: To prevent irritation, avoid active skincare ingredients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, glycolic acid, and scrubs for at least one week after treatment. Stick to gentle cleansers and moisturisers recommended by your practitioner.

Limit Heat & Sweat: Avoid hot tubs, saunas, and activities that cause excessive sweating for 48 hours post-treatment.

Sun Protection is Paramount: Diligent sun protection is crucial to prevent hyperpigmentation and maintain your results long-term. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen every two hours, especially outdoors. Complement this with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing. We recommend Medik8 sunscreen, which is available in our clinic.

Maintaining Your Results:

A consistent skincare regimen, including medical-grade products and strict sun protection, will significantly prolong your results and help prevent future pigmentation issues. The Medik8 White Balance range, available in our clinic, is specifically designed to target pigmentation and enhance the results of your laser treatment.

Remember, adhering to post-treatment instructions is vital in achieving the best possible outcome. Should you have any questions or concerns, our team is here to provide guidance and support throughout your treatment journey.

Laser treatment for pigmentation is not suitable for you if you:

• Have an active infection at the site of treatment
• Have active cold sores at the time of treatment.
• Have excessively tanned skin from the sun.
• Have an impaired immune system due to immunosuppressive diseases or medications.
• Are taking strong blood-thinning medications.
• Have metal or other implants in the treatment area.
• Have a disease that may be stimulated by light, such as Epilepsy, Pyphoria and Systemic Lupus Erythematous.

In a nutshell, laser treatment can be a very effective solution for reducing many types of pigmentation concerns. However, the success of laser treatment for pigmentation depends on several factors, including:

What makes laser treatment a good option?

• Precision: Lasers target pigment directly without harming the surrounding skin, leading to more predictable outcomes than topical treatments.
• Effectiveness: Laser treatment can significantly reduce the appearance of pigmentation, such as freckles, age spots, sun damage, and even some birthmarks.
• Long-lasting Results: While multiple sessions are usually recommended, the results of laser pigmentation treatment can be remarkably durable.
• Collagen Stimulation: Many laser treatments also stimulate collagen production, improving skin texture and reducing fine lines for a youthful appearance.

Factors that determine successful outcomes:

• Type of Pigmentation: Superficial pigment issues like freckles and sunspots tend to respond better to laser treatment than deeper pigmentation, such as melasma.
• Skin Tone: Lighter skin tones often see faster results with fewer sessions, while darker skin tones require a more cautious approach to avoid unwanted pigmentation changes.
• Health & Medical History: Certain medical conditions, medications, or skin sensitivities can affect your suitability for laser treatment.
• Experience of the Practitioner: Selecting a qualified and experienced laser technician is crucial for achieving safe and optimal results.

Treatment times vary depending on your specific needs and can take anywhere from a few minutes for a spot treatment to up to an hour for larger areas.

On average, 2-3 treatments are needed, spaced four weeks apart.

However, the number of treatments required will be based on your body area, skin tone, and how deep the pigmentation is into the dermis layer of the skin.

While you’ll notice an immediate improvement in your skin’s appearance after laser treatment, the pigmentation will gradually fade. Here’s a general timeline:

Initial Days (1-3 Days):

• The treated area may appear darker as the targeted pigment breaks down.
• You may experience mild redness and swelling, similar to a sunburn, which typically subsides within a few days.

First Week (3-7 Days):

• The darkened pigment will start to flake or crust over, eventually sloughing off naturally.
• Avoid picking or scratching at the treated area to prevent scarring.

Following Weeks (1-4 Weeks):

• You’ll notice a progressive lightening of the treated pigmentation.
• Most individuals see significant improvement within 2-4 weeks, but complete fading can take longer.

Factors Affecting Fading Time:

Several factors can influence how quickly pigmentation fades after laser treatment:

• Type & Depth of Pigmentation: Superficial pigmentation, like freckles, generally fades faster than deeper pigmentation.
• Individual Healing Rate: Everyone’s skin heals at a different pace.
• Number of Treatments: Multiple treatments are often recommended for optimal results, fading becoming more noticeable after each session.
• Post-Treatment Care: Following proper aftercare instructions, including sun protection and recommended skincare, is essential for optimal healing and fading.

The number of laser treatments required to address your hyperpigmentation concerns varies based on several factors, including the type, depth, and severity of the pigmentation and your unique skin characteristics.

Generally, most clients observe a significant reduction (70% or greater) in superficial pigmentation concerns like freckles and sunspots within 2-3 treatment sessions. However, deeper or dermal pigmentation may necessitate six or more treatments to achieve optimal improvement. For more stubborn pigmentation, a combined treatment approach incorporating other modalities alongside laser therapy might be recommended.

Achieving and maintaining the best possible results go hand-in-hand with a consistent skincare routine. We recommend the Medik8 White Balance range, expertly formulated to target pigmentation concerns and enhance the outcomes of your laser treatment. It’s essential to recognise that deeply rooted dermal pigmentation can be influenced by fluctuating hormones, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions, which can impact the predictability of results.

During your personalised consultation, we will comprehensively assess your pigmentation, discuss your desired outcomes, and develop a customised treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

Our laser practitioners will perform an initial consultation to assess your suitability for laser treatment. You may be able to have treatment on the same day as your consultation; however, in some cases, you may need to wait a week or two to prepare your skin before treatment.

You will be reclined or lying down during treatment and will wear protective eye shields. Your practitioner will set laser parameters according to your skin type and the skin condition being treated and will talk you through the process.

The heat from the laser pulses may be slightly uncomfortable during and immediately following treatment, but is generally well tolerated.