Many animals are known for their spots: leopards, dalmatians, giraffes, etc… And though you’d never think to define people as spotted, most humans have dots, marks, or specks peppering their bodies. They can be freckles, moles, sun spots, liver spots, Nevus of Ota, pigmented birthmarks, or melasma. They can come from a variety of sources: birth, sun exposure, skin trauma, ingredients in cosmetics, and even pregnancy. Many pigmented lesions are completely medically harmless but cause discomfort and embarrassment in their visibility. The Fotona™ line of laser tools now provide a quick, non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical solution to these many spots.
The laser removal process has three basic steps. First, the laser produces nanosecond pulses of laser light that are absorbed by the melanin in the lesion. This absorbed light transforms into photoacoustic waves that break up the melanin into smaller particles. Once broken down, these minimized pigment particles are processed and destroyed by the body’s immune system, removing the pigment from the spot. Depending on the amount of pigment, up to four treatments could be required. The precise construction of the laser allows the light to pass through the top layers of skin without damage, keeping the dermis non-ablative.
The benefits of laser treatment for pigmented lesions are many. As a non-surgical procedure, there is a fast recovery time with no anesthesia or lengthy treatment time is required. As there are no sutures, there are no scars or stich removal appointments. The procedure’s aftercare is similarly simple. Skin redness and irritation is common after the procedures, but should fade after an hour. It could last for up to three days. To soothe this burn, you can apply a cool compress every one to two hours or dab hydrocortisone 1% over-the-counter cream to intact areas twice a day. If the irritation persists past three days, call the office. Patients should avoid activities that cause facial flushing for 24 hours or until the irritation has faded. Patients must also wash their face twice a day with a gentle cleanser, avoid irritating skin products, and wear a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF. Immediately following the laser procedure the treated areas will appear darker due to the scattering of melanin particles. They will continue to darken over one to two weeks before flaking off and becoming lighter before they disappear.
As a fast, pain-free, and effective procedure Fotona laser treatments for pigmented lesions are tantamount in convenience, feeling, and quality. Westtown Dental Care is happy to now offer this procedure! If you are interested in this treatment, please call us at 484-887-0777 for a consultation. Our staff will be happy to assist you!