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The
Effect
Pigment specific laser treatment works by removing
pigmented or colored structures from the skin. This
procedure spares the surrounding structures while matching a
laser wavelength to that of a specific target and removing
it from the skin.
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The
Procedure
It takes a few minutes to an hour for this procedure and
may necessitate more than one session. This is usually done
on an outpatient basis except if this is combined with other
surgical procedures that need hospitalization. Anesthesia
used may be a numbing spray, local anesthesia or general
anesthesia.
A light-absorbing pigment is found in all pigmented lesions
and tattoos. This procedure uses laser light which hits the
skin and is then reflected, transmitted or absorbed. The
energy that is absorbed is the most accountable for the
clinical effect. This energy is translated to thermal
energy through absorption of heat by the intended targets at
the same time sparing the surrounding normal structures.
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Best
Candidates
Laser therapy is ideal for those who have had pigmented
lesions that were not effectively removed by other
treatments.
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Treatments
Laser
Treatment
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Side Effects
Expect some temporary swelling and discomfort after the
procedure. The other side effects are sensitivity to acute
sun exposure, increased sensitivity to makeup, and
lightening of the treated area. Some pinkness or redness (erythema)
may also last for up to six months.
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Recovery Time
The patient may be able to resume work in about two weeks.
And it would take about 4 to 6 weeks for the patient to
perform strenuous activities. Fading of redness of the
treated area will happen in three months’ time. Return of
pigmentation may occur within 6 to 12 months.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: How
does the laser treat pigmented lesions?
A:
With the use of light energy, the laser will precisely
target dark concentrations of melanin. Once the laser light
passes through the skin, the pigmented lesions become light
or are removed. The light is absorbed by abnormal
concentrations of melanin. The swift absorption of light
results in the destruction of the melanin; therefore,
reducing its concentration. A laser generates a beam of
highly concentrated light and different types of lasers
create different colors of light. The key to the laser’s
effect on the pigmented lesion is the color of light
generated by a particular laser. Certain colors of light
are absorbed by the pigments in the skin. The appropriate
pigmented cells are eliminated through the laser’s light
energy which is absorbed by the targeted lesion. Not all
pigmented lesion absorbs the same color of light. They vary
in color depending on the type of lesion and the natural
tone of the skin of the patient. Lasers used before only
emit one color of light which requires doctors to utilize
two or more lasers and even repetition of sessions in order
to treat the pigmented lesions. One pigment specific laser
treatment is the VersaPulse C Aesthetic Laser which
generates short pulses of wide spectrum of light colors to
treat the full range of pigmented lesions. No incisions are
involved in doing this procedure.
Q: Is the
treatment painful?
A:
Unlike other methods, treatment using the laser is
comfortable and has less recovery time. Most of the time,
anesthesia is not required by patients undergoing this
procedure. On the other hand, there are some instances
where the doctor chooses to use some form of local
anesthesia depending on the nature and location of the
lesion, as well as the patient's age. If you have had
pigmented lesions that were not effectively removed by other
treatments, laser therapy may be the answer to it as long as
the previous treatment did not cause any scarring or skin
damage.
Q: Why is
laser treatment safe?
A:
Laser has the exceptional ability to selectively treat the
pigmented lesion without harming or damaging the surrounding
structures which makes it a very safe and effective
procedure.
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