Pigment spots can be removed or reduced effectively, using laser or intense pulsed light (IPL), which gently damages only the pigmentation spots, leaving the rest of the skin intact.
About pigment Spots Removal with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Treatment with laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) can effectively remove or reduce pigmentation spots, also called liver spots or age spots, pigmentation changes, or pigment blotches.
The method of treatment can be used against all forms of pigmentation changes, including the stains that can occur during pregnancy, seeing as the skin reacts differently here to the effect of the sun.
Besides being able to remove or reduce pigmentation changes, non-ablative laser and IPL is effective against several other unwanted skin conditions. You can read more about this under skin renewal.
Generally on non-Ablative Skin Laser and IPL
Non ablative laser, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and RF (Radio Frequency/Radio Waves) make use of special filters to decide which part of the tissue that is to absorb the heat energy from the light and thereby disintegrate.
There are several different laser, IPL and RF machines available in the many different clinics out there. The manufacturers each claim that their equipment is the best, and each clinic will typically prefer a particular machine.
Here is a list of some of the different non-ablative lasers, IPL, and RF machines in use today:
- Ellipse (IPL)
- PowerLite (IPL)
- Harmony (IPL)
- Elos (IPL & RF)
- Accent (RF)
- CoolGlide (Laser)
- LightSheer (Laser)
- Diodelaser (Laser)
- Fraxel (Laser)
- Pixel (Laser)
Suitability
Fit and healthy people over the age of 18 are suited for treatment with laser, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), and RF (Radio Frequency).
The procedure
Prior to the treatment, the treatment provider should gather information on allergies that the patient might have, the patient's use of medicine, former skin problems or infections, sun exposure, and tendency of forming hypertrophic scars or keloids.
In some cases, a cooling gel is applied onto the area to be treated.
Anaesthesia
The treatment is most often performed without the use of anaesthetics, and done on an outpatient basis. In some cases, a locally sedative gel can be applied onto the area to be treated.
The treatment can cause anywhere from mild tickling to moderate pain, depending on the area and type of tissue that is treated.
Side-effects
After the treatment, the skin might go red and break out. This will quickly fade, though.
After the treatment the patient will be left feeling sunburnt. This will usually go away after an hour or so. Some may experience itching.
In some cases, the skin will be reddish or bronze coloured 5-7 days after the treatment. Minimal swellings might occur, but these will wear off within 2-3 days.
Risk of complications
Possible complications with the non-ablative laser and IPL treatment are long lasting reddening of the skin, wound formation, swelling, blistering, pigmentation changes with dark, light, or white colouring of the skin, infection with bacteria, virus or fungus, and scar tissue formation.
Complications after treatments with these non ablative lasers and IPL/RF are very rare, though.
Healing and recovery
During and after the treatment, the treated areas can easily absorb pigmentation from the surrounding skin, and even short periods of exposure to direct sunlight can recreate pigment changes.
Due to this, it is necessary, that you during and after the surgery use a sunscreen cream with a high protection factor.
After the treatment, the patient will be able to return to normal activities. It is strongly advised to avoid direct sunlight during the first 2-3 days after the treatment.