Laser correction of pigmented lesions
Hyperpigmentation is a common problem, where some areas of the skin become darker. The pigmentation is usually the result having too much of the pigment melanin.
It can occur in men and women; it is more common in middle-age and latter stages of life but can occur also in younger people.
There are several kinds of pigmentation changes with different morphological and histological characteristics (freckles, sun spots, aging blurs, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, chloasma). Therefore, it is important to first conduct a clinical and dermatological exam and sometimes, also a histologic examination of certain pigmentation changes. A laser treatment can only be performed after the pigmentation changes have been properly diagnosed.
The laser treatment, designed to remove hyperpigmentation and other pigmentation changes, is not complicated. It is performed in an outpatient clinic without a local anesthetic.
A laser emits a narrow high-energy beam of light that affects the pigment melanin. Due to the thermal effect of short lighting strikes, the melanin quickly warms up and is separated from the dermis. After that, the pigmented lesions are gently removed with a sterile gauze.
The skin is cooled before and immediately after the procedure.
After the treatment, the skin can become slightly red, which usually vanishes in 24 hours. There is a possibility of scabbing, which falls away in 5–7 days.
After the treatment, direct sin exposure and the solarium should be avoided for at least 10–15 days and protective skin products with a high sun-protection factor should be used.
If necessary, the next treatment can be performed in 4 to 6 weeks or when the skin on the treated lesions has peeled off.
Unfortunately, some pigmented lesions cannot be removed effectively with a laser, especially spots that have pigment in deeper structures. However, they can be substantially toned down if the instructions for maintaining the achieved results are followed.