DESCRIPTION
Laser Pigmentation Removal - Adelaide
Living in Australia with its harsh UV rays, prolonged sun exposure can cause freckles, sunspots, age spots, and darker pigmentations to appear over time. Other factors such as ageing, genetics, hormone changes, and other medical issues can also contribute to hyperpigmentation. These minor blemishes are developed by a natural substance in our bodies known as melanin, which is responsible for giving our skin its colour. An overproduction of melanin in certain areas causes hyperpigmentation, which is how darker spots such as freckles and sunspots develop.
Some individuals find their pigmentation concerns contribute to an unwanted, aged appearance, and in that case, laser pigmentation removal is the best option. Laser pigmentation removal is designed to only target hyperpigmented lesions in the skin, using safe and effective laser technology that does not damage the surrounding skin and tissue.
If you are concerned about unwanted facial pigmentation, it is always a good idea to consult with our doctor to discuss the best method of pigmentation removal for you.
The Benefits
1. Targeted Treatment:
Laser pigmentation removal precisely targets the melanin in the pigmented areas, leaving surrounding skin unaffected, resulting in more effective and precise treatment.
2. Even Skin Tone:
Laser pigmentation removal effectively reduces or eliminates the appearance of dark spots, sunspots, age spots, and other types of pigmentation irregularities, resulting in a more even complexion.
3. Minimal Downtime:
Unlike more invasive procedures, laser pigmentation removal typically requires minimal downtime, allowing individuals to resume their normal activities shortly after treatment.
4. Non-Invasive:
Laser pigmentation removal is a non-invasive procedure that does not require incisions or anesthesia, making it a safer and more comfortable option compared to surgical alternatives.
5.Stimulates Collagen Production:6.
Laser pigmentation removal stimulates collagen production in the skin, which can improve skin texture, firmness, and elasticity, resulting in a more youthful appearance overall.
6. Long-lasting Results:
While individual results may vary, laser pigmentation removal can provide long-lasting results, with many individuals experiencing a significant reduction in pigmentation irregularities that lasts for months or even years with proper skincare maintenance.
How it works
How does laser pigmentation removal work?
At Advanced Cosmetic Medicine, we use advanced laser technology to target pigmentation concerns present in the skin effectually. The laser emits a specific wavelength of high-energy light to selectively heat the upper dermis layer of the skin, where melanin has gathered to cause pigmentation. A small burst of this heat is delivered to the targeted areas where the melanin pigments are shattered, triggering your body’s natural healing responses to produce collagen. The dark spots and pigmentation concerns with crust over and darkens before flaking away entirely up to 14 days after the treatment. The treatment will significantly lighten and fade the appearance of pigmentation concerns, improving overall skin quality for a plumped and youthful complexion.
Am I a suitable candidate for the treatment?
We recommend laser pigmentation removal for individuals who suffer from a wide variety of skin pigmentation issues, such as:
- Nevus of Ito and Ota
- Café au lait spots
- Nevi (moles)
- Melasma
- Sunspots
- Age spots
- Freckles
- Acne
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
All body areas can be treated with laser pigmentation removal, but the most common areas are the face, neck, décolletage and hands, the most often sun-exposed areas. At a consultation with Dr Targett, she will assess the areas with pigmentation issues to ensure you are suitable for the treatment and will benefit from the treatment.
How is laser pigmentation removal performed?
The treatment will likely be performed several weeks after your initial consultation with Dr Targett to ensure your skin is prepped correctly before your treatment.
The treatment can take up to one hour. You will be reclined or laid down and given protective eye shields to wear at your session. The laser’s parameters will be set to your specific skin type and the pigmentation concerns being targeted. A cooling gel or topical numbing cream may be applied if you are worried about discomfort, as it can feel slightly uncomfortable, but most patients tolerate the treatment well. The laser is then passed over your skin in the chosen areas.
It will take around seven to ten days for results to be seen. Most patients experience up to approximately 80% improvement of skin blemishes and pigmentation after one course of laser treatment.
What should I expect after my treatment?
Immediately after your treatment, the treated areas may feel warm or flushed, similar to a sunburn. Treated pigmentation concerns often look darker and worse than before treatment, but this is your body’s normal response to the laser treatment. You may also notice some redness. After several days, a crust will begin to form on the treated pigmentation, and these dead skin cells with flake off over the next 7-14 days post-treatment.
We will provide you with aftercare instructions to make you achieve the best possible results and optimise your body’s healing. Aftercare for laser pigmentation removal may include:
- Avoid direct sun exposure for seven days and use a high SPF sunscreen.
- Use a cold compress to minimise redness, swelling or heat.
- Do not pick, pull, or rub the flaking skin.
- Avoid vigorous exercise that may cause excessive sweating, such as saunas, spas, and steam rooms for several days.
- Avoid direct heat from hot showers and hair dryers for 1-2 days.
- Do not use any active skincare containing vitamin A, vitamin C, glycolic acid, or other high-intensity skincare products for seven days.
- Avoid exfoliating your skin for one to two weeks post-treatment.
- Avoid electrolysis and facial waxing treatments.
Our aftercare recovery plans are designed to minimise the potential for risks or complications and reduce any discomfort, swelling or redness caused by the treatment. This will help you achieve the desired outcomes and support your body’s healing.
Are the results permanent?
If patients adhere to their pre- and post-treatment instructions and incorporate the use of a strong, high-quality sunscreen into their skincare routine, it is unlikely that the pigmentation will return. However, excessive sun exposure over time can still cause sunspots, freckles, and other pigmentation issues. Suppose the cause of hyperpigmentation is due to other factors such as pregnancy, genetics, medications, or medical conditions. In that case, it will depend on the extent of those causes to determine whether the pigmentation will return.
The Doctor
Dr Rahma Targett
Dr Rahma Targett is a General Practitioner(FRACGP), with a specialty in Cosmetic Medicine. She founded Advanced Cosmetic Medicine in 2016 and has since become well known as a trusted and in demand Cosmetic Physician in Adelaide. She has a Diploma in Dermoscopy and a Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine with the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. Dr Targett is a leader in her field and regularly attends Cosmetic conferences to keep up to date with modern aesthetic techniques. At advanced Cosmetic Medicine you can always be reassured that you will be welcomed and treated personally by Dr Rahma Targett.
There are contraindications for this treatment that can make some individuals unsuitable, including individuals who:
- Have active cold sores or infections at the treatment site.
- Have had sunburn or excessive sun exposure in the last several weeks.
- Are taking blood-thinning medications.
- Are immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system due to diseases or medications.
- Have metal or other implants around the treatment site.
- Have a medical condition relating to light stimulation, such as epilepsy.
An in-depth consultation with Dr Targett will help determine whether laser pigmentation removal is a safe and suitable treatment for you. If you are unsure, it is worth booking a consultation, as there may be other treatments better suited to your health and anticipated outcomes.
To attain the best results, we recommend a course of 2-3 treatments at 4-week intervals, but this depends on the extent and complexity of your concerns. The darker the pigmentation lesions are, the more treatments may be required to achieve an optimal outcome.
You must have a skin check with a doctor before receiving your treatment. This ensures there are no abnormal moles or spots that could be cancerous. Once your treatment is booked in, you will need to:
- Avoid direct sun exposure for several weeks before the treatment.
- Do not use fake tans, such as sprays, creams, or solariums, as the treatment of tanned skin can cause blistering.
- Avoid laser, IPL, skin needling, and chemical peel treatments.
- Stop using any skincare products containing vitamin A one week before treatment.
Medical-grade laser technology is designed to penetrate the epidermis layer of the skin gently yet effectively and should not cause any permanent scarring. So long as patients follow their pre-treatment and aftercare instructions, any superficial damage caused by the treatment will disappear soon after.
Because there is a lack of information available on the effect of laser treatments on pregnant or breastfeeding women, we cannot recommend this treatment for them. This is a precaution to maintain your safety, and we advise patients to speak to their doctors if thinking about laser treatment.
Individuals with fair to light skin tones are best suited to this treatment. While some laser treatments can be suitable for individuals with deeper skin tones, the treatment is not ideal in some cases. This is because the laser targets melanin, which is found more prominently in individuals with darker skin tones, and therefore, laser treatment may unnecessarily strip melanin from the skin.
Other types of pigmentation removal offered at ACM are;
