At a Glance
Do you have any pigments on the skin such as freckles, age spots, birthmarks, moles, certain vascular lesions, ephelides, melasma, seborrheic and actinic or keratoses? You can improve the appearance of any skin pigments with the use of lasers. This is a desirable way to remove pigments without the use of chemicals or resorting to surgery.
About
Pigmented lesions can often be seen as aesthetically unappealing. They can often be very prominent and noticeable on the face, which can cause negative self-image problems and lower self-esteem.
Fortunately, this can be remedied with laser treatment. This is a quick, safe and effective way to remove pigmented lesions, without involving any incisions. At Centre for Surgery, we use Fotona’s SP Line laser system for all pigmented lesion removals.
Laser removal of pigmented lesions is suitable for those who are wanting to avoid a recovery time and do not wish to have any sutures or scars.
Candidates
You will be a suitable candidate if you have a pigmented lesion which you wish to have removed through laser therapy.
You will need to be at least 18 years old to undergo this procedure.
Laser therapy is a suitable procedure for all ethnic skin types.
You will need to have reasonable expectations about what the procedure can achieve.
Before undergoing any treatment, you will need to meet with your surgeon to have a consultation. The surgeon will be able to assess your skin and decide whether or not you are an eligible candidate for the procedure or whether another option is more suitable.
Procedure
Laser removal of pigmented lesions works by destroying the pigment of the skin without the need for excision.
The procedure will involve three steps.
- Light absorption: light from the laser is absorbed by the melanin pigment in the skin.
- Pigment break-up: photoacoustic waves from the laser will break up the pigment into smaller particles.
- Pigment removal: the body will then naturally remove the small particles and the area will be clear of any pigments.
You may feel some mild pain during the procedure, however, most people are able to tolerate this without the use of any topical anaesthetic.
This is a quick, safe and non-invasive procedure which will leave you with an improved skin appearance.
You may need to have numerous sessions to achieve the best results. Many people will require three to four sessions. Repeat sessions can be performed after two weeks.
Recovery
As this is a non-surgical procedure, there is very little downtime. You will be able to return home straight after the procedure.
Ensure you take care of your skin following the treatment. This can be done by applying sunscreen when you are outside. Failure to do so may result in the return of pigments.
FAQs
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What is a pigmented lesion?A pigmented lesion is a name for freckles, age spots, birthmarks, moles, certain vascular lesions, ephelides, melasma, seborrheic and actinic or keratoses.
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How does laser removal work?The laser will target the pigment on the skin, with photoacoustic waves causing the pigment to break up into smaller particles. These smaller particles can then be naturally absorbed by the skin, giving your skin an improved appearance.
Centre for Surgery uses Fotona’s laser therapy for all laser removals. -
Is this suitable for my skin type?Laser removal of pigmented lesions can be undertaken on all skin types and colours.
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Am I a suitable candidate for this procedure?You will be considered a suitable candidate if you have a pigmented lesion which you are wishing to remove through methods other than surgical excision.
You will need to be at least 18 years old to undergo surgery. -
Will the laser hurt?You may feel some discomfort during the procedure. Most people are able to tolerate this and do not require any topical or local anaesthetic.
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What is the recovery period like?This is a non-invasive procedure, so there is minimal recovery time. You will be able to resume your usual daily activities straight after the procedure.
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Will I need repeat treatments?To achieve the best results, you may need to undergo multiple treatments. Most people will require three or four sessions. These repeat treatments can be undertaken two weeks apart.