What are pigmented lesions?
A lesion is an non-specific term referring to abnormal tissue in the body. It can be caused by any disease process including trauma, infection, neoplasm, metabolic and autoimmune. Pigmented lesions, and in particular age spots, are increasingly regarded by the persons affected as a cosmetic blemish. Age spots occur with 50% of women and 20% of men from the age of 50 onwards.
What kind of pigmented lesion can be treated?There are many different types of pigmented lesions which differ from one another fundamentally in terms of their morphological and histological characteristics. For this reason the evaluation of and possible therapy for pigmented lesion should always be the reserve of doctors with specialist’s knowledge. Benign pigmented lesions such as lentigo simplex, lentigo senilis (age and sun spots), café au lait stains and many types of naevi may be treated with laser devices in various ways.
How does removal of pigments with laser work?
The laser beam enters the skin, it interfaces the upper skin layer and the melanin of the pigments absorbs the light energy. Through the mechanical effect of short light shots the enclosed Melanin is abruptly blasted and pulverised. Afterwards the pulverised pigments can easily be removed by the bodies own lymph system. For removal of Pigments, a number of treatments might be necessary depending on the indication.
How will the treatment take course?The distance piece of the hand piece of the laser is put onto the skin. After the activation of the Laser with the foot switch a light impulse is sent which feels like a small stitch. The areas to be treated are than moved over with the hand-piece of the laser. The treated area looks white, and it shows blisters. After the treatment reddening of the skin and a strong feeling of warmth might occur. After a few hours the treated areas might darken an a small crust can build up. This degenerates within a few days. The next treatment, if necessary, can be done after 6 to 8 weeks.
What needs to be considered before the treatment?Ø shave the hair one day before the treatment
Ø avoid tanning of the skin
Ø avoid cellulite treatment up to 4 weeks before the treatment
Ø do not do plucking, waxing or electrical depilating 4-6 weeks before treatment
Ø before treatment apply Elma-salve to sensible areas of the skin to be treated
Ø remove make-up and deodorant
What needs to be considered after the treatment?Ø cool the treated skin as long as it is comfortable to you
Ø if crusts built up, do not manipulate them
Ø protect treated areas against sun light or intensive light (solarium)
Ø use suntan cream (20-50) if you stay outside longer
Ø If skin changes should occur, that are not named above, contact your doctor immediately
What complications may occur?No medical treatment is totally free of risk. Normally laser-treatment is very low in risk. Lightening of the skin or hyper-pigmentation can temporarily occur. Both is regulated by the skin itself. In very few occasions small scars can occur.