Preserve Your Skin’s Natural Beauty
Just about everyone has a few obvious brown spots on their skin. Age spots, freckles, and various birthmarks are just a few of the commonly known marks generally referred to as lesions. Although most brown spots are easily ignored, many are quite conspicuous and can be detract from your skin’s natural beauty. Removal of pigmented lesions are performed by our doctor for patients in our region.
What Causes These Unwanted Pigmented Lesions?
Melanin is what gives our skin its color. Dark or light complexioned, we all have varying amounts of melanin. Pigmented lesions are dark in color simply because melanin is abnormally concentrated in one area of the skin. High concentrations of melanin can be due to various factors. Some types are present at birth, but most occur with age or as a result of overexposure to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays.
How Does the Laser Remove Unwanted Pigments in the Skin?
The laser is one of the most technologically advanced lasers from removing pigmented lesions. The laser removes pigmented lesions with the energy of light. A laser is designed to produce one or more specific light wavelengths, which are absorbed by the pigment. Pigmented lesions are either lightened or removed when the laser light is absorbed by the abnormal concentrations of melanin. The unwanted pigment is destroyed leaving the treated skin looking uniform in color and texture.
What types of brown spots or pigmented lesions will lasers remove?
Lasers are commonly used for removing brown age spots, “liver spots”, freckles and other brown birthmarks, such as café-au-lait spots. Our physician and staff will identify your specific type of lesion and discuss the removal success rate associated with your condition.
Important: The laser cannot be used for the removal of lesions that are cancerous or suspected to be cancerous. If there is any doubt, we will discuss the appropriate treatment methods with you.
Does the laser remove my normal skin pigmentation also?
No, the laser we use was designed to effectively target dark concentrations of melanin. After the abnormal concentrations of melanin are removed and treatment continues on normal skin, some whitening could occur, however your body’s natural regenerative system would replace normal melanin after a period of time, returning the skin to its natural color.
Is the laser process painful?
The laser emits light in very short pulses. The impact of the energy from the powerful pulse of light is similar to a snap of a thin rubber band. After the treatment, the area will feel similar to a slight sunburn. Typically, within 15 minutes or so, any discomfort disappears. The area may remain red for two to four weeks. After the redness clears, the skin returns to its natural color and texture.
How many laser treatment sessions will it take to remove the pigmented lesion?
Most common pigmented lesions are removed with one or two treatments. If a lesion covers a large area, the doctor may want to treat the area in several stages, to avoid unnecessary discomfort.
Can the excess pigmentation come back?
Common pigmented lesions do not return. Some birthmarks may return after a period of several months to a year. However, the procedure can be repeated with similar results.
What type of post treatment care is necessary?
Occasionally there will be a pinpoint bleeding associated with the treatment. An antibacterial ointment and a dressing will be applied to the area. The treated area should be kept clean with continued application of any ointment given to you. A shower can be taken the next day, although the treated area should not be scrubbed.Our staff will be happy to discuss this procedure with you.