What causes dark spots on the skin?
Dark spots or hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces too much melanin, the pigment that provides skin with color. Several factors can trigger the formation of dark spots, including sun damage, age-related changes, diseases, certain medications, hormonal fluctuations, trauma, and scarring.
How do lasers work to remove or reduce dark spots in the skin?
Lasers use intensely-focused heat energy that's directed at the pigmented cells, breaking down these cells so they can be transported out of the body naturally over time. At the same time, the laser heat works to stimulate healing as well as the production of collagen so skin looks and feels healthier and skin tone and coloration are more evenly distributed. Darker pigments absorb more of the laser energy, so treatment can be specifically and precisely directed at pigmented cells while leaving the surrounding cells and tissues unaffected and undamaged.
How is laser treatment of dark spots performed?
Laser treatment uses a special handheld device to transmit energy through the skin to target areas of discoloration. A special cooling gel will be applied prior to treatment to keep your skin comfortable and facilitate consistent application of energy through the skin for superior results. The time it takes to perform your procedure will depend on the extent or size of the treatment area as well as other factors like your skin type and tone.
How will I feel afterward?
Following your treatment, you may have some soreness or redness in the treatment area similar to that experienced following a mild sunburn, both of which will resolve within a few days to a week or so of treatment. Many patients go back to work and continue their normal skin care and make up routine the same day.
