Q-switched lasers and picosecond lasers are commonly used in the treatment of skin pigmentation. Q-switched lasers produce pulses of energy that are extremely short (measured in nanoseconds) delivered to the skin. Picosecond lasers work by using even shorter, ultra-short bursts of energy (measured in picoseconds) to skin targets with minimal injury to the surrounding skin. Some common conditions that can be treated with pigment targeting lasers include solar lentigines, freckles, Hori’s naevi, Naevus of Ota and tattoos. Fractional picosecond lasers can also form Laser-Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) that stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture, leading to skin rejuvenation. Pigment targeting lasers are not painful.
What can I expect during a pigment laser treatment?
A topical anaesthetic cream is usually applied prior to the laser treatment. It is important to protect your eyes with opaque metal eye shields during the laser treatment. The whole process is quick and usually completed in minutes.
What can I expect after pigment laser treatment?
There may be slight redness over the areas treated with laser. For some conditions, e.g. solar lentigines or freckles, a thin scab may form over the treated area. This usually flakes off over the next few days to 1 week. For fractional picosecond laser treatment, the redness usually resolves within a day.
How many sessions of picosecond treatment do I need?
The number of sessions depends on the condition that the treatment is for. A quick guide is as follows
- Freckles – 1-2 sessions
- Solar lentigines – 1-3
- Hori’s naevi – 5-7
- Naevus of Ota – 5-7
- Tattoo (Black, Green, Blue)- 7- 10
- Café-Au Lait Macule – 3-5
