Pigment laser

Treatment Time

15-60 minutes

Numbing

1 hour

Discomfort

Minimal

Recovery Time

3-5 days

Service Overview

Pigment lasers target brown, pigmented or darker patches or lesions on the skin, such as lentigines, freckles, age warts, liver spots, seborrhoeic keratoses, brown birthmarks, melasma, pigmentation from sun exposure, drug side effects, failed iron infusions and colloidal silver supplements, as well as tattoos of all kinds. We have a range of pigment lasers, each suitable to a variety of conditions, including the Q-Switched Alexandrite, Q-Switched 532nm Nd:YAG laser, Q-Switched 1064nm Nd:YAG laser, Picosure Picosecond Alexandrite, Erbium:YAG and Intense Pulsed Light.

What To Expect

Treating pigmented lesions requires a consult with our dermatologist, who can determine that the pigment or lesion is safe to treat, and which laser is best suited to your lesion and skin type. Once your initial consult is complete, you have the option of undertaking the treatment on the same day, or returning at a time more suitable to you. You’ll have numbing cream applied for one hour, and treatment with the laser usually takes 15-60 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.

How To Prepare

Please avoid unprotected sun exposure and fake tanning products for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to treatment. Do not wear contact lenses, valuable jewellery or make-up to the clinic on the day of treatment, including lipstick and mascara. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Aftercare

Immediately after treatment, you’ll be given an ice pack to apply to the treated area, which will soothe the skin and help reduce swelling. It’s recommended that ice packs be applied for up to 10 minutes, every hour or two, for the rest of the day of treatment. It’s advisable to sleep with your head elevated to limit swelling if your face has been treated. You can shower/bathe as normal, using your usual products. Make up can be worn as usual, but avoid applying perfume to treated areas. Vaseline can be applied 2-3 times a day, for 3 days, to assist with healing.Alcohol, strenuous exercise and activity should be avoided for the rest of the day of treatment. SPF 50+ sunscreen should be regularly applied to the treated area until the skin has fully healed. Treated skin should also be covered, or a hat should be worn in the sun. Some patients may be prescribed a “fading cream” containing hydroquinone. This is usually commenced 2 weeks after treatment with a pigment laser, and used nightly for 2-3 months.

The Benefits

  • Reduction in the appearance of pigmentation on the skin
  • Little recovery time
  • Quick treatments
  • Visible improvement in as little as one treatment, dependent on lesion type, size and darkness, though several may be required to achieve optimal results.
  • Minimal impact on daily activity.
Terence inspecting a hand of a client

Before and After

What does this treatment feel like?

The sensation of the laser varies from patient to patient and can depend on the area being treated and darkness of the lesion. For most people, it feels like being flicked by an elastic band. We apply numbing cream for an hour before treatment, and oral analgesia can be given, if required. Our goal is for patients to feel little discomfort during their treatment.

How much does treatment with a pigment laser cost?

The cost of treatment will be dependent on the type and size of the lesion. This will be determined during your consult with the dermatologist, along with the estimated number of treatments required to achieve an optimal result.As a guide, pigment laser treatment can begin at $550.

What are the possible risks or complications of vascular laser treatments?

As with any laser treatment, some risk does exist, though lasers are considered very safe treatments for skin conditions.

  • Post treatment discomfort, much like the sensation of a mild sunburn tingle, redness and oedema (swelling) are not uncommon. This is normal and temporary.
  • Hypo-pigmentation (fading of the colour of skin). This is very uncommon.
  • Hyper-pigmentation (darkening of the colour of the skin). May occur in darker skin types. The dermatologist will consider whether this is a risk for your skin during your consult. 
  • Blisters. Very uncommon.
  • Infection. Very rare. 
  • Scarring. Extremely rare.

Who is not suitable for this treatment?

Most patients are suitable for pigment laser.

Love the skin you’re in

At Neutral Bay Laser & Dermatology Clinic, we’re committed to providing the most effective treatments for your skin, with the utmost safety, for the whole family. That’s why the first step of every treatment is a review by our dermatologist, Dr Terence Poon. Make your appointment today to love the skin you’re in.

A woman smiling with her hands on her face.