A Q-switched laser removal of flat pigment stains on the skin

What is the pigmentation of the skin?

 

The pigmentation is a nuance or colouring due to the pigment melanin which is in the skin. The more it is – the darker the skin is. Apart from the racial and ethnical factor the production and storage of this substance depends on plenty of internal and external reasons. These are hormonal background, innate or age alterations of the skin, local or general use of some pharmaceuticals, traumas, different diseases, sun activity or additional ultraviolet irradiation (solarium for example).

The disbalance in steady distribution of melanin in the skin is known as depigmentation. The most common causes for it are sun burning, pregnancy, innate flat pigmentation type “milk and coffee”, age skin alterations with limited pigment stains.  

 

What methods are used for hyperpigmentation facial removal?

 

One of the simplest and harmless, but not especially effective methods is the use of depigmentating local means, scrubs, superficial peeling .  

Other widely used methods are dermabrasion, deep peeling , laser abrasion with Er:YAG I CO2 laser. Using these procedures there is a risk of increasing the pigmentation, depigmentation, or scars formation.

Sometimes there could be satisfying results in diffuse pigmentation when using IPL appliances, and for limited stains – aleksander or ruby laser is used.   

The most effective method of removing restricted and diffuse pigmentation is the short-impulse lasers, with high culminant capacity such as the Q-switched laser.

 

 The principal for hyperpimentation removal using Q-switched resembles to tattoo removal, as the skin hyperpigmentation is a kind of biotattooing. The melanin effectively consumes the laser impulse with wave width 532nm. Sometimes infrared irradiation with width length 1064 nm is used for its destruction 

 

What happens during the procedure?

 

During the procedure the pigmentation colour intensifies and in the laser influenced areas there is a slight swelling, sometimes even bruises. For about a week the pigmentation gradually dissolves. No anaesthetic is necessary during the procedure.

 

How long is the procedure?

 

The duration depends on the length of the treated part. For restricted pigment stains the treatment lasts a few seconds, for the whole face treatment, diffuse pigmentation removal the procedure lasts about 30 minutes.

 

How many procedures are necessary?

 

Usually for a restricted pigment stain removal -3 procedures would be enough. For diffuse pigmentation removal 5-6 procedures are required as the whole face is treated.

 

When could these procedures be applied?

 

During a strong sun activity no skin hyperpigmentations are treated. The most favorable season for such procedures is October till April. 

 

Is any special care required after the procedure?

 

Directly after the procedure nutrition creams are applied. Make-up is acceptable right after the procedure. The usage of sun-protecting products during the course of procedures is a must. на слънцезащитни продукти.

 A successful course of facial hyperpigmentation removal does not exclude the appearance of new relapses, therefore it is necessary that the treated area is extremely well guarded, especially during the summer.

The whole diffuse pigmentation course treatment leads to significant improvement of the skin’s general condition (compare Skin rejuvenation with Q-switched).