Age Spots & Brown Mark Laser Treatment.
Pictures of Skin Pigment
Age spots can be faded by laser treatment, there may be some loss of tanning ability in the treated areas, so the best results are obtained on…
…pale hands. It is best to try the treatment on one age spot first before doing all the others. Bruising is likely for a couple of weeks after a treatment. Thereafter some pinkness may persist for a few weeks.
Age spots on the hands usually respond well to laser treatment.
A great variety of disorders can cause brown marks. Depending on the diagnosis treatments include prescription creams, laser, IPL and excisional biopsy. Pigment disorders can be difficult to improve and no treatment may be possible.
Occasionally serious diseases may be found.
Nd:Yag Laser Treatment
Important Patient Advice Information.
Please read the following below before considering treatment.
The NdYAG laser can be used to treat flat brown marks such as age spots or solar lentigoes. The best cosmetic result is achieved when it is used on people with pale skins.
How Does the Laser Work ?
The laser uses a powerful light beam that shines through the outer layer of the skin. The brown pigment absorbs the light energy and gets hot for a fraction of a second. This is enough to break up the pigment. It is usual to allow at least 2 months between treatments for the damaged pigment to be absorbed and the skin to recover.
What's Involved ?
The laser light is much brighter than sunlight and can seriously damage eyes, so everyone in the laser suite will have to wear protective goggles.
The laser fires in rapid bursts, these feel a bit like the spatter of hot fat from a frying pan or the flick of an elastic band. It varies with the sensitivity of the area being treated and the power used. The machine is noisy. The treated area may sting for a while afterwards. There is usually a fine white scab immediately afterwards. Underneath this is an unsightly bruise that will gradually fade. There maybe some pinkness of the treated area for several weeks. Another treatment may be necessary after an interval of eight weeks.
What are the side effects ?
Apart from the effects noted above serious problems are rare. Scarring, either depressed or raised is a potential problem but is unlikely. If it does occur it is usually in the form of some change in texture of the skin. There can also be some loss of naturally tanning ability in the treated area, but this often improves with time.; If your general skin colour is not white it is difficult to get an even tone in the treated area to match your natural skin colour. Age spots may recur, especially if you sun bathe and the treatment should not be regarded as permanent.
Advice on caring for the treated area.
You should not have many problems with the treated area. It generally settles rapidly and is best left alone. A suntan gets in the way of the laser light so avoid the sun, or use a strong sun block, before and during treatment. Keep the area to be treated as pale as possible. Be gentle with the treated area until it has settled down so as to minimise the risk of scars. It should not need a dressing as long as you can resist picking and scratching. If you are at all concerned after your treatment then get in touch with the clinic on 020 7435 7521.
Costs of Brown Mark and Age Spot Treatment
- Consultations without treatment £80.
- Laser treatments from £100 per treatment.
Two treatment visits are likely about 2 months apart.