I have been an esthetician for over ten years and have helped countless clients improve their skin’s health and appearance. My heart’s desire is to make people comfortable in their own skin, and I recognize that for some, this means addressing pigmentation issues like; Laser for Pigmentation on Face.
Freckles, age spots, and melasma are just a few of the pigmentation issues that patients have brought to my attention. Also, I’ve seen a wide variety of products, some good and some not so good, that claim to help you combat pigmentation. It’s for this very reason that I’ve come! Because we want to make sure you get the product that best suits your needs and that it actually delivers on its promises.
Laser for pigmentation on face
The Victorian Cosmetic Institute offers several options for treating freckles, age spots, sunspots, and other types of uneven pigmentation. Depending on the needs of the patient, a variety of treatments such as lasers, prescription drugs, and chemical peels are accessible. Continue reading to find out about case studies and figure out what kind of treatment could work best for you.
Quick Facts
- Excessive skin pigmentation can be due to a number of causes including UV exposure, hormones and skin trauma. It could also be congenital (existing from birth).
- Pigmentation can be treated with lasers and lightening creams.
- The mode of treatment used will be dependent on the type of pigmentation, patient preference, and patient risk tolerance.
- Pigmentation can be classified into epidermal (superficial), dermal (deep) and mixed.
- Different lasers are used for different types of skin pigmentation and skin types.
- UV protection/sunscreen is paramount in the treatment of pigmentation.
- Laser treatment on olive or darker skins needs to be approached with caution.
What is skin pigmentation?
Abnormal melanin production and deposition by the melanocytes leads to excessive skin pigmentation. Melanocytes are specialized cells that produce melanin. Our skin tone is established by the number of melanocytes in our epidermis. Melanin is a skin defense mechanism that is triggered by exposure to ultraviolet light and is produced in response to sun exposure.
Excess melanin production and deposition cause hyperpigmentation (darkened patches on the skin). Hypopigmentation occurs when skin loses its normal color. This topic will not be covered further.
The causes and cures for hyperpigmentation of the skin are discussed here. Pigmentation that occurs within the skin itself will be the focus of this article; pigmented lesions that occur on the surface of the skin, such as moles and skin cancers, will not be discussed further.
What causes excessive skin pigmentation?
An overabundance of melanin is typically the root cause of hyperpigmentation, also known as excessive skin pigmentation. This leads to the excess production and clumping of melanin, and the appearance of brown or darker spots of pigmentation in the skin.
Reasons for skin pigmentation problems are;
- UV radiation – in most cases, especially in areas of high UV radiation levels like Australia, skin pigmentation problems can be caused by excessive UV or sun exposure (most common).
- Hormonal – as seen in melasma or chloasma that is a type of pigmentation usually caused by pregnancy or the pill (common).
- Trauma to the skin – this can be a result of physical trauma to the skin, chemical peels, laser treatments, or acne. This is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (common).
- Birthmarks and acquired pigmentation – skin pigmentation can be present at birth (birthmarks), appear in childhood, or adulthood. Examples of these include; congenital melanocytic nevus, cafe au lait spots, spilus nevus, hori’s macules, and nevus of ota.
How is pigmentation treated?
Lightening creams applied topically or laser surgery are the two mainstays in hyperpigmentation treatment.
The primary distinction is that lasers can typically deliver the desired outcome more quickly and efficiently.
Pigmentation can be lightened with topical lightening agents, but it won’t be eliminated entirely.
Lasers offer greater benefits than lightening agents, but they also carry greater risks. A worsening of the pigmentation, a loss of normal skin pigmentation (hypopigmentation), or scarring are all possible outcomes (rare).
Additionally, there is typically a period of recuperation following laser treatment. The type of pigmentation treated, as well as the patient’s preferences and level of comfort with risk, will determine the mode of treatment that will be employed. It is possible to treat pigmentation anywhere on the face or body, including the back, shoulders, chest, and even the palms of the hands.
Laser treatment for freckles before and after
Freckles are hyperpigmented spots on the skin that develop from prolonged exposure to the sun. Though they pose no health risks and can be ignored without treatment, some may seek out methods to get rid of their freckles for aesthetic purposes. Freckles are best treated with laser or BBL intense pulsed light, both of which utilize light as their active ingredient. Exercising caution when caring for your skin and limiting your time in the sun are both crucial for maintaining a natural skin tone.
How to get rid of freckles
Pigmentation develops in the skin as a defense mechanism against UV radiation. When they are young, people with fair skin often have a large number of pale tan freckles. Freckles get bigger and darker as you get older and expose your skin to the sun more. Age spots, liver spots, and sun spots are all common names for these. They are most common on the face, hands, and décolletage, which are all subject to intense sunlight. The correct name for this type of freckle is lentigo/lentigines. Sun spots can also refer to another skin condition (solar keratoses). When we say “sun spot” here, we mean a lentigo-type freckle.
There are a number of options for getting rid of freckles. All the most effective treatments require a consultation at a medical or cosmetic skin clinic.
Some skin cancers can resemble freckles. If you have a freckle that’s changing, or in some way different from other spots on your skin, you should have it examined by an experienced skin cancer doctor or nurse before having it treated.
Keep your skin covered after treatments for reducing freckles or pigmentation, as these marks can return after being exposed to sunlight.
Different types of freckle treatments
There are several effective treatments for fading freckles. Each has advantages and disadvantages and should be considered with your specific requirements in -references in mind.
Laser freckle removal
The skin is exposed to a strong beam of light in order to facilitate the laser treatment. Depending on the wavelength of the light, it is absorbed by skin structures of different colours, generally red (blood vessels) or brown(freckles and other pigmentation) (freckles and other pigmentation).
Freckles can be effectively eliminated by laser treatment. They use a single wavelength of light, optimised for a specific function. This meanwhile a laser can do one job extremely well, any given laser might not be as effective for other purposes. For example, a hair removal laser often might not be able to perform laser freckle removal or laser pigmentation removal.
When compared to laser, other light-based treatments like IPL (intense pulsed light) and BBL (broadband light) utilize a broader range of frequencies to achieve their therapeutic effects. Even though laser and IPL are different treatments technically, for convenience we often refer to any light-based treatment as “laser treatment”.
IPL laser treatment
Although IPL (intense pulsed light) functions in a similar way to laser, it employs a broader spectrum of wavelengths (colors). This suggests that a device designed to remove freckles may also be useful for treating other conditions. For instance, sun-damaged skin typically includes both freckling and redness/prominent blood vessels. It is possible to treat both issues with just one session of IPL laser therapy.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments are typically less intense than traditional laser, which may reduce post-treatment pain, redness, inflammation, and recovery time.
BBL laser treatment
Broadband light (BBL) is the form of intense pulsed light we use at Spot Check Clinic. The benefits of BBL treatment include:
- Multiple different treatment settings: more than one issue can be treated in one session, e.g. blood vessels as well as pigmentation or freckles
- Large areas of freckles or other sun damage can be treated quickly and comfortably using the “in motion” technique. The dermal therapist or nurse gently glides the treatment handpiece over the skin rather than repeatedly “stamping” the skin.
- Other treatment benefits are frequently seen: these include reduction of wrinkles, smoother skin and a generally younger appearance.
Before and after photos: BBL freckle removal treatment
The following photos show patients treated at Spot Check Clinic using our Sciton mJoule BBL device for treatment of freckles and pigmentation.
BBL treatment is effective for many skin conditions
BBL is versatile: the operator can adjust the settings so that it can treat multiple skin conditions. At Spot Check Clinic, we have successfully used BBL for:
- Flattening raised scars
- Tightening loose skin, e.g. under the eyes and on the neck
- Hair removal: BBL has substantial advantages over traditional hair removal laser due to its “in motion” capability. Large areas can be treated with much less pain than traditional laser.
- Rosacea, a condition of inflammation and enlarged blood vessels in the facial skin
- Acne
Removing freckles effectively usually requires a course of several treatment sessions.
Using retinoids to remove freckles
Ds are a form of vitamin A that has been shown to have significant anti-aging effects. Pigmentation, redness, and fine lines are all improved by them. Retinoids can improve the appearance of wrinkled and sun-damaged skin by increasing collagen production.
The most potent, efficient, and cost-effective topical retinoids can only be obtained through a doctor’s prescription.
Hydroquinone, a common ingredient in skin-lightening products, is often combined with retinoid in prescription formulations. Researchers have discovered that using this mixture for a prolonged period of time can reduce the appearance of freckles.
As opposed to laser removal, this method of dealing with freckles is both more affordable and less painful. But some people can’t use prescription topical retinoids because of the irritation and redness they cause to their skin.
Chemical peels as a freckle treatment
Chemical peels can be used for treatment of freckles, and some types of peel are especially useful if “there are also “sun spots”, known as solar keratoses by doctors. These are small patches of pre-cancerous sun damage.
Chemical treatments used at Spot Check Clinic include:
- Prescription cream used twice daily for 4-6 days(depending on the area and the condition being treated)
- Photodynamic therapy: a cream is applied in the clinic and left on the skin for 2-3 hours. It is then activated using LED red light or BBL
- Both treatments cause redness, pain and sometimes swelling, blistering and sores of the treated area. This takes 2-3 weeks to settle
Due to the significant discomfort after treatment, we normally reserve these treatments for people with substantial pre-cancerous sun damage, or certain types of skin cancer. These are often present in the same area as freckles.
Chemical peel treatments used at Spot Check Clinic have a skin rejuvenation effect. In most cases, the skin is much smoother and clearer following treatment.
When the 4-day prescription cream is used, the treated area is less likely to develop certain types of skin cancer for 2-3 years.
Cryotherapy for sun spot removal
Cryotherapy can be used to get rid of freckles and solar keratoses one by one (freezing with liquid nitrogen).
This treatment option is low-cost and can be completed rapidly during a doctor’s visit.
Treating multiple or large facial freckles at once can cause uneven pigmentation, so a test patch should always be treated first.
Choosing the right kind of freckle removal treatment for your skin
When considering treatment for freckles, take into account the benefits and disadvantages of each treatment.
| Treatment | Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Intense pulsed light / broadband light (BBL) | Effective at fading large numbers of frecklesGood for treating a large area quicklyAlmost no risk of scarring or hyper/hypopigmentation after treatmentNo downtime after treatmentUseful for treating multiple skin problems including blood vessels, angiomas, pigmentation, wrinkles, loose skin, keloid scars, rosacea and acne | Usually requires several treatment sessionsMore expensive than cryotherapy, retinoids or skin peel treatments |
| Laser | Effective at fading large numbers of frecklesAlmost no risk of scarring or hyper/hypopigmentation after treatmentPowerful lasers are more effective for very resistant freckles and pigmentation | Usually requires several treatment sessionsMore expensive than cryotherapy, retinoids or skin peel treatmentsMay lead to redness and soreness and downtime after treatment |
| Cryotherapy | Inexpensive (sometimes free if part of a medical consultation)Quick: each freckle is treated in secondsUseful if treating a single freckleMay form a blister or sore after treatment, which can take 2-3 weeks to heal | May lead to increased or decreased pigmentation of the treated skinGentle treatment (to reduce the risk of hyper/hypopigmentation) might not be as effectiveSome people find cryotherapy painful |
| Retinoids | PainlessRelatively inexpensive | Long course of treatmentNot as effective as other methodsMay cause skin irritation |
| Chemical peels / photodynamic therapy | A single treatment session, or a brief course of topical medication applied at homeHighly effective at treating sun damage other than freckles, and some types of skin cancerRejuvenation effect: skin is noticeably smoother and clearer after treatmentMay prevent certain types of skin cancer | Photodynamic treatment is more expensive than topical treatments or cryotherapy (but usually cheaper than laser or IPL)Usually causes significant redness and soreness of the treated areaMay lead to swelling, blistering and soresPhotodynamic therapy can be very painful |
Before you choose, remember:
- Some skin cancers resemble freckles, so you should have freckles checked by an experienced skin cancer doctor or nurse before having them removed. Most laser skin clinics in Australia can’t offer this service
- A combination of treatments is usually more effective than a single treatment. If you have BBL treatment for freckles at Spot Check Clinic, we will discuss ongoing skin maintenance, which may include a range of topical products including a prescription retinoid
- Ongoing skin care and reducing exposure to sunlight is important to reduce the risk of future freckles and skin cancers
- Freckles are a normal and harmless result of sun exposure. If you don’t mind your appearance with freckles, there’s no need to have them treated.
Q switch laser for freckles
Q-Switched Laser Treatment is an effective facial treatment that removes dark spots, freckles, and tattoos from the skin. It rejuvenates the skin and enhances it from deep within the layers. Giving you a naturally glowing skin, the treatment is recommended by specialists all around the world for patients having wrinkled skin.
ABOUT THE Q-SWITCHED LASER TREATMENT
Q-Switched lasers’ endogenous melanin, which is very selective, acts as a very fast shutter. The laser rods have a large capacity for storing energy and dispersing it efficiently, focusing on the skin’s most damaged regions. For the skin to heal from the inside out, the high-velocity pulses must leave their mark on the problem areas. The pulses only last nanoseconds, and the bean doesn’t change at all as a result, so there’s no risk of damage. Fractional hand pieces are used to shorten the amount of time the laser beam is in contact with the skin. Because prolonged sun exposure can also cause skin damage. Laser energy aids in the speedy repair of damaged tissues and the improvement of the skin’s outer layer by correcting the underlying pattern.
Some worry that a laser’s heat will burn their skin if it’s used on them. But that’s not the case; at most, you might experience a mild tingling sensation. This treatment is so gentle that it can even be used to remove tattoos from the skin or those pesky dark spots.
BENEFITS OF Q-SWITCHED TREATMENT
Up to 75% to 100% of your dark and brown spots can be removed in just one treatment session. Even though many patients see significant results after the first session, some are advised to return for a second or third appointment. Skin creams can be used to remove the remaining spots. In addition, Q-Switched treatment guarantees a complete and irreversible absence of freckles. If you get rid of them, freckles won’t be coming back anytime soon. The effects, with proper care, have the potential to last for years. The best Q-Switched laser treatment can be found in Dubai.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE Q-SWITCHED TREATMENT
After receiving treatment, your skin may appear slightly gray and white due to the absorption of laser energy. If your skin has a lot of melanin, you might bruise a little more easily. A crust may form over the affected area of skin from shallow blisters that can last for days. A properly healed skin takes about 7-10 days. Pigmentation causes the treated skin to become pink and blend in with the surrounding skin. In extremely unusual cases where skin healing takes longer than one to two weeks, the skin becomes vulnerable to further sun damage. After some time has passed, the skin’s pigmentation will have stabilized and the skin will have returned to its normal, healed state.
THE PRE AND POST LASER MEASURES TO TAKE FOR Q-SWITCHED TREATMENT
It’s better to learn about the pre and post-laser treatments to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. Read on!
PRE-LASER PREPARATION
- Do not tan your skin when planning to go for the Q-Switched Treatment
- Do not consume aspirin-consumed drugs and products for about 2 weeks
- Do not apply too many facial creams and lotions before the treatment
POST LASER PREPARATION
- It may take 10 to 14 days to remove the dark brown colored scab from the skin after the treatment whereas the bruising may last longer than a few days
- To cover the side affects you can apply makeup if you want
- Do not get exposed to sun frequently, stay in as much as you can
PROS AND CONS OF Q-SWITCH LASER
The skin lightening treatment- Q-Switched Laser Treatment is highly regarded and recommended by the people around the world due to its long-lasting outcomes. No matter how stubborn your brown marks are the treatment has the capability to heal them completely. So, here are some pros and cons of the treatment.
PROS OF THE TREATMENT
- Q-Switch laser tighten the skin and remove the sagging face. It heals the wrinkles and removes the dark spots.
- It removes acne scars and heals the tissues permanently to give you a smooth looking face
- It boosts the self-esteem and gives you a younger looking skin
- It treats the facial pigmentation and removes the discoloration
- It eliminates the dead skin cells and wipes away the blemishes and uneven skin tone
- It thoroughly cleanses the skin and rejuvenates from within the tissues
- It ensures to provide minimal side effects to the skin
- It decrease the unwanted hair growth and remove them permanently as well
- It is used as a tattoo removal treatment as well
CONS OF THE TREATMENT
- In most places of the world, Q-Switched treatment is charged for a much higher price. You need to look for a healthcare department that is affordable and ensures promising results
- Sometimes the patients complain to experience a lot of pain. It happens with those who have a poor and loose skin. An over sensitive skin might get more side effects like bruises for sometimes
- Though it causes no extreme damages to the skin but you may get blemishes and sores just after getting the treatment
- The healing time can be between 7 to 10 days or can last for more than two weeks depending on your skin type
HOW OFTEN CAN I DO A Q SWITCH LASER?
The results of Q Switched laser treatment lasts longer than you expect. However, you can get the next sitting after 2 to 3 sitting. You will not need more than 3 sitting at an interval of 3 months period.
IF THERE ANY RESTRICTION TO GETTING THE TREATMENT?
The Q Switched procedure is an option for anyone who wants to get rid of fine lines, tattoos, or uneven skin tone. Treatment is available without limitation or special conditions. Since laser is the least invasive option, it does not cause as much harm to the tender skin of a young patient. Therefore, you can confidently acquire it.