Sun Damage, Age Spots, & Pigmentation
What are pigmented lesions?
Pigmented lesions, also known as brown spots, are benign lesions that are very common and often appear with age. Pigmented lesions are caused by a proliferation of melanocytes or increased amount of melanin in the skin. Treatment is commonly performed on the face and hands, and helps restore a more youthful appearance and skin texture.
How does the treatment work?
The light-based system emits intense light energy onto the targeted area skin. The unwanted pigment absorbs the light energy, eliminating excess melanocyte cells and brown spots while the surrounding tissue remains unharmed. The light energy also stimulates collagen production in the skin, improving the skin’s complexion and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
How many treatments will I need?
Most patients only need one to two treatments to see complete removal. Patients may come in for touch ups as needed.
Is the procedure painful?
The procedure is fast and tolerable and is often compared to having a rubber band snap against the skin. There is very little discomfort.
What results should I expect?
Over the weeks following your treatment, you may experience temporary swelling, redness, or increased flushing. Treatment for brown spots and pigmented lesions will likely result in scabbing. Once the scab area flakes off, the skin underneath will be brighter and less pigmented. Each additional treatment will eliminate any remaining excess skin pigment. To maintain results, protect your skin from daily sun exposure and maintain proper skincare.
Using the Pico laser
The Pico laser is the most effective laser to treat brown spots or sun damage on the skin. The laser fires in a trillionth of a second using photoacoustic energy (as opposed to photothermal heat with traditional lasers) to shatter pigment in its path. This is a painless, no downtime procedure. The brown spots will darken initially and then slough off within 1-2 weeks revealing clearer skin. Three sessions 1 month apart is ideal to obtain optimal results.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
What is IPL? Intense Pulsed Light
IPL stands for intense pulsed light and is somewhat similar to a laser treatment. Instead of one wavelength of light to reach the skin, as in a treatment from a laser, IPL penetrates the first layer of skin, called the epidermis, to treat the second layer, or dermis. This causes less damage to the outer layer of skin. The damaged area from the treatment beneath the first layer is then removed by the body’s natural skin repair mechanisms, resulting in a smoother and more youthful appearance of the skin. Within the skin, pigment layers convert the light energy to heat, which destroys unwanted pigmentation to clear the appearance of freckles and other unwanted spots. IPL treatments are effective for face, neck, décolleté, hands, arms and back but can be used anywhere on the body but may not be as effective.
The ideal candidate for IPL photofacial treatments is someone concerned about age-related skin conditions such as discoloration and fine lines. Additionally, people with acne, rosacea, age spots, and freckles can benefit from a series of IPL laser treatments. IPL treatments are suitable for people with lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick skin type I-III).
IPL Can Improve
- Skin pigmentation caused by aging, medication, or sun damage
- Spider veins and broken capillaries
- Inflammatory acne
- Rosacea
- Hemangiomas (a benign tumor of blood vessels that forms a red birthmark)
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Shallow acne scarring with large pores
