FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHICH PIGMENTATION PROBLEMS ARE TREATED WITH LASER?
Our laser sun spot removal is ideal for addressing sun-induced pigment issues and hereditary freckles. Key concerns include:
Sun Spots / Age Spots: Flat brown or black spots caused by years of sun exposure (also known as solar lentigines or liver spots).
Freckles: Small scattered brown freckles (ephelides) that may darken with sun exposure.
Other Brown Spots: Certain other benign pigmented lesions can also respond, such as post-acne marks or pigmentation on the hands and arms due to aging and sun damage.
(We will evaluate your spots to ensure they are benign and suitable for laser treatment.)
WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED?
Virtually any part of your body with sun and age spots can be safely treated. The face, chest, shoulders and arms are the most popular areas for treatment because they have typically had the most sun exposure. Discrete brown spots, excessively ruddy complexions and skin densely covered with freckles respond well to treatment.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING TREATMENT?
You'll wear protective goggles and get comfortable. The provider will prep the skin (cleansing and possibly shaving the area if needed for better contact). A test spot may be done to check settings. As the treatment begins, You'll feel a series of quick zaps on each targeted spot. Most clients tolerate this easily - the built-in cooling spray of our Candela laser helps minimize discomfort. The session is brief, with no messy gels required, and typically no numbing needed due to the quick, mild nature of the pulses.
HOW LONG WILL THE TREATMENT TAKE?
The actual treatment will only take a few minutes. And, since there is no need to apply gel or any topical anesthetic, your total appointment time can easily fit within your lunch hour.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
Many clients see noticeable improvement after just one session. In fact, small freckles or light sun spots often clear with a single treatment. For more pronounced sun damage or multiple spots, a second session may be recommended about 4-6 weeks later to achieve optimal results. Typically 1-2 treatments are sufficient to see significant fading or removal of sun spots and freckles, though very extensive pigmentation might require a third session. We will assess your skin at your follow-up to determine if any additional sessions would be beneficial.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE TREATMENT?
Immediately following the treatment, the spots may start to darken. You may notice a slight reddening of the surrounding skin. This typically subsides within a couple of hours. Over the course of the next one to three weeks, darkened spots will fade and flake off. Your mottled complexion will clear.
IS THERE ANY DOWNTIME OR SIDE EFFECTS?
There is virtually no downtime with our laser pigmentation removal. You can resume normal activities immediately after your appointment. Side effects are mild and temporary. The treated areas often have some redness and feel like a light sunburn for a few hours post-treatment. The spots will turn darker in color as described, then flake off over several days. During this flaking period, the spots look like small dark specks which can be covered with makeup if needed. It's important to avoid picking at the flakes to prevent any potential scarring. Occasionally, individuals with very sensitive skin might experience minor swelling or itching around the treated spots, but this is not common. Our laser's cooling system and the expertise of our practitioners keep discomfort and side effects to a minimum. We will advise you on proper aftercare (like moisturizing and sun avoidance) to ensure a smooth healing process.
IS THE TREATMENT THE SAME AS IPL?
It is related, but not exactly the same. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a older light-based therapy that also targets pigmentation; however, IPL uses a broad spectrum of light wavelengths, whereas our system uses a specific laser wavelength. In practical terms, a laser is more focused and powerful on the target, which often leads to better results in fewer sessions.