Pigmented Laser

What is a pigmented lesion and which ones can be treated with laser?
The most commonly treated conditions are solar lentigines, also known as "age spots," "liver spots" or "sun spots"; café au lait birthmarks; and freckles. These benign pigmented lesions are due to an excess of pigment in the skin, usually due to sunlight exposure and congenital factors. Age spots may appear as enlarged light freckles on the face and hands. Café au lait birthmarks may appear as light brown markings anywhere on the body and can be quite large.

Before & After laser for brown spots

Before & After laser for brown spots

Before & After laser for brown spots

Before & After laser treatment for tattoo removal

Before & After laser tattoo removal

What does the treatment involve?
Treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the type of lesion, size of the affected area, color of the patient's skin and depth to which the abnormal pigment extends beneath the surface of the skin. Some lesions, such as "age spots," will require only a few pulses, while others, such as café au lait birthmarks, will require more. Some lesions require re-treatment, necessitating multiple patient visits.

Is treatment with the laser painful?
Treatment with the laser is more comfortable and requires less recovery time than some other treatment methods. Most patients do not require anesthesia. In some very rare cases, depending on the nature and the location of the lesion and the patient's age, the physician may elect to use some topical anesthesia. Pigmented lesions that have not been effectively removed by other treatments may respond well to our laser therapy, providing prior treatment did not cause excessive scarring or skin damage.

Why is treatment with a laser for pigmented lesions and tattoos safe and effective?
Treatment with a laser for tattoos is safer than traditional methods because of their unique ability to selectively treat the pigment in the tattoo. The laser will eliminate the tattoo pigment while often leaving the surrounding skin and skin pigment intact.

What types of tattoos can be treated with laser?
The most easily treated tattoos are blue-black tattoos, both amateur and professional. The effectiveness of the laser is dependent upon the location and depth of the tattoo, as well as the composition of the pigments. Tattoos with bright to tan colors are more difficult to remove.

What does the treatment involve?
Treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the age, size and type of tattoo, color of the patient's skin and depth to which the tattoo pigment extends beneath the skin's surface. All tattoos will require re-treatment at 4-8 week intervals. Laser treatments are less painful and require less recovery time than some other treatment methods. The degree of discomfort varies with each person, depending on his/her pain threshold. Most patients do not require anesthesia. In some cases, however, depending on the nature and location of the tattoo, the physician may elect to use topical local anesthesia.

Tattoos that have not been effectively removed by other treatments may respond well to laser therapy, providing prior treatment did not cause excessive scarring or skin damage. Patients will experience some temporary discoloration or reddening of the skin around the treatment site. Some patients may also experience a temporary lightening of the skin for a few months following treatment. The skin will typically resolve to normal pigmentation color. It is important to follow the recommendations of the treating physician for proper post-treatment skin care.