Pigment Spots
Dark areas of skin discoloration are caused by overproduction of melanin by pigment cells. Sun exposure is the primary cause of pigment spots, but other causes such as hormonal changes may contribute to the problem. Treatments include sunscreens, bleaching creams, retinoid creams, glycolic acids, and chemical peels. These treatments are useful for larger diffuse areas and also beneficial following laser treatment.

The laser is ideal for smaller and discreet areas of discoloration since the laser selectively removes the pigment cells but does not injure the adjacent normal skin. The goal of the treatment is to diminish the difference in the skin color so it is important to understand that the treatment may not eliminate the excessive pigmentation entirely. A good skin care program is critical in maintaining the effectiveness of the treatment.

Common Questions
How does the treatment work?
The laser light is absorbed by the pigmented areas, which selectively removes the darker spots. The deeper skin layers are not damaged since only the top layer of skin cells are removed.

Does the laser treatment hurt?
A topical anesthetic cream is applied to the skin for about 30 minutes before treatment. A pin prick sensation or slight burning may be felt during the treatment. A local anesthetic is given for larger areas to minimize pain.

How many treatments are needed?
Usually one or two treatments are sufficient to eliminate the pigmented area. If a second treatment is needed, it is generally performed after three to four months.

What can I expect after the treatment?
Initially, the treated area will become crusted and darker for about one week. The crust will fall off in one to two weeks and the skin will be reddened for one to three months. An ointment or moisturizer is applied to the treated area after gentle cleansing for the first several weeks.

Afterwards, a sunscreen is recommended to prevent darker discoloration. Steroid and bleaching creams may be recommended to lessen the redness or pigmentation. Some areas may lose pigmentation altogether so that the skin color is a shade lighter than the surrounding color.

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