Laser treatments have been part of a major revolution in non surgical cosmetic treatments to diminish the appearance of age spots and pigmentation.
Skin pigmentation, more often known as 'age spots', are pockets of melanin that form in the skin due to damage created by excessive sun exposure over time.
The results are achieved by the lasers specific wavelength being gently pulsed onto the skin, gently removing damaged skin cells layer by layer until a smoother, more uniform skin appearance is achieved.
How laser pigmentation reduction works
At Aspire Clinic we use the Elite+ laser to deliver our laser pigmentation treatment. This laser uses short bursts of light to target specific areas of concern. The laser is placed over the skin and releases a bright flash of light which is then absorbed by the pigment in your sunspots and is converted to heat. The heat generated damages the cells that have created the pigment and your body will naturally dispose of this tissue whilst producing new, healthy tissue. This treatment can make your skin look younger by removing age spots, uneven pigmentation and stimulate collagen producing to improve your skin texture.
During your treatment you may feel a slight heat sensation but a fan attached to the laser immediately cools the skin to ensure your comfort. Laser treatments can last 10 to 30 minutes and depending on the size of the area treated, two to five treatments are generally needed to get the best results.
Immediately after treatment you can expect some mild redness, which will quickly disappear. The area will form a slight crusting within 4-7 days and the crust will fall away naturally, taking the pigmentation with it. You will notice a visible result following your first treatment and this result will continue to improve over your treatment course.
Before and after photos
View GallerySkin pigmentation FAQ
How long will it take?
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.
Am I a good candidate?
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.
How many treatments will I need?
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.
What is skin pigmentation?
Skin pigmentation is caused by melanin production in the skin. This is a natural pigment that also influences eye and hair colour. Brown patches can occur on the skin when too much melanin is produced in one area, this can be a result of:
- Sun exposure
- Ageing
- Heredity or congenital factors
Common pigmented areas include:
Age spots/Liver spots
These are smaller dark patches that tend to occur on adults who have been exposed to the sun for many years. These can be on the face, forearms and the backs of hands.
Post-inflammatory Hyper-Pigmentation
This results from an inflammatory injury or skin trauma. This can be caused by acne, psoriasis or eczema.
Skin pigmentation can vary in size, shape and depth. These lesions can also be raised or flat so we will determine if your lesion is safe to treat during your consultation.