Dark spots
Dark spots appear gradually after age 35 and no cream can erase them.
For them to disappear, several solutions are available, but the quickest, most effective and safest remains laser treatment. With the latest generation equipment, the doctors of Centre Laser Lyon achieve great results for dark spots, be it sunspots, age spots or brown spots on the condition of having fair skin.
Can we laser treat all dark spots?
Solar lentigines and age spots
Dark spots, whether they are on the face, neck or hands are a sign of aging of the skin mainly due to UV aggression.
The most common are called solar lentigines. These are brown spots that can be light or dark, are smooth with uneven edges, and are located on the areas most exposed to ultraviolet light. Solar lentigines are from only a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter and are located mainly on the face, back of hands and forearms (exposed areas).
They appear after major sunburns or often once you’ve reached your forties in both men and women. This is due to an overproduction of melanin caused from the effects of UVB.
These patches respond very well to treatment with Nd YAG Q switched laser.
In one to two sessions, solar lentigines leave completely without any hypo-pigmentation which can be the case with dry ice.
Melasma or pregnancy mask
There are other types of skin spots on the face, such as melasma or pregnancy mask.
Mainly located on the forehead, cheeks and around the upper lip, these spots correspond to hyperactivity of melanocytes following sun exposure or when subjected to a particular hormonal environment (taking contraception, during pregnancy).
Melasma can not be treated by laser because the melanocytes are located deep inside the dermis. However, it is possible to diminish their signs by depigmentation peels such as Yellow Peel but they can never make them disappear completely.
Moles, beauty marks
Lasers should not be used to treat nevi and moles. Nevi and moles must be monitored regularly by a dermatologist and if they must be removed, it must be done by excision.
A laser session
At your first consultation, your doctor will examine your skin to determine the nature of dark spots that bother you. She or he will also determine if your skin is fair enough to carry out the treatment. Matte to black skin and cannot receive this treatment due to the risk of hyperpigmentation.
If the conditions are met to ensure treatment, your doctor will provide you with a detailed quote and will specify the equipment to be used as well as the rate and the number of sessions to expect.
In the case of treatment of pigmented lesions, physicians have at their disposal a Nd YAG Q switched laser that will have a photomechanical effect.
The photons of the laser beam are emitted at great speed on the melanin molecules to destroy them like a hammer.
Unlike pulsed light, the laser has a special wavelength that will only be absorbed by the pigments we want to get rid of.
These are the reasons why the Q switched laser is faster and more efficient than pulsed light to remove dark spots.
The day of treatment
On the day of your treatment, your doctor will ensure that you have not recently been exposed to sunlight. On cleansed and makeup-free skin, she or he will run the laser beam over the spots.
The sensation is pain free; you will feel a quite bearable heat.
As with all our treatments, wearing goggles is mandatory for you and your doctor.
After your laser session
At the end of the session, you will apply a moisturizer and in some cases, you may be prescribed a topical corticosteroid for topical application on the first day. The spots will darken very quickly and over a few days.
After a week, a thin layer of skin will fall off on its own, taking with it the dark spots.
The skin replaced by the eliminated dark spot will be the same color as the rest of your skin.
If a second session is necessary, it will be after a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks.
The use of sunscreen is then essential if you want to minimize the appearance of new spots developping.
Depending on the number of spots and skin area to be treated, the price of the treatment session varies from 150 to 250 euros.
For a customized quote, make an appointment for a free initial consultation with one of our doctors.