Laser Treatment for Dark Spots
We can classify the dark spots on the skin as:
- 1. Birthmarkss
- 2. Sunspots (Melasma, solar lentigo)
- 3. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (due to increased sensitivity after eruption of the skin, for example eczema; or spots formed after peeling)
- 4. Freckles
In the treatment of these spots chemical peeling and laser applications are used apart from the pharmaceuticals. Alexandrite and diode lasers are effective especially in treatment of freckle, solar lentigos and age spots. Alexandrite laser is applied for 1 or 2 session in this type of spots. The treatment should be applied in winter period in which there are not harmful effects of the sun.
Sun rays can cause the formation of spots on our skin.
Q switched NdYag lasers are used in reducing or destruction of the congenital spots and the spots developing due to sun, hormonal changes (pregnancy, thyroid dysfunctions etc.) and medicines (like birth control pills). The carbon-based solution applied before the application provides to get more effective results by also making a kind of peeling effect. Treatment protocol is between 6-10 sessions. These types of lasers target the pigment melanin in dermis without causing any damage to the upper surface, epidermis in a word. It can easily be applied in summer and winter. Session intervals are between 1 week and 15 days.
In our day, treatment of most of these spots is available.
Most of us have spots formed either at birth or later. Especially when the spots formed in our face disrupt our appearance, we search for remedies to get rid of them. Treatment of most of these spots is available today. However, before the spot treatment process, it is required to determine why the spot was formed and whether it is formed as sign of a disease.
Spots Formed Afterwards
POSTINFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION
This kind of spots occur after trauma, eczema, acne and some dermatological diseases. They can be epidermal or dermal. Spot treatment of the epidermal ones is easier. Dermal ones may resist to the treatment.
PHYTOPHOTODERMATITIS
It is spots formed by sun exposure after body contact of some plants and fruits. Among these fruits orange, lemon, fig; and among these plants parsley, carrot, dill and celery can be considered.
MELASMA
It is spots formed symmetrically on face (forehead, cheeks, moustache) generally in women. Pregnancy and using birth control pill trigger the spot formation. However, even only contact with the sun light may cause the melasma. It may also form in men.
SOLAR LENTIGO
It is brown spots formed on sun-exposed areas especially on face, arm and hands. They usually occur after the sun exposure in the people with advanced age.
FRECKLES
They are light-colored small spots especially on the nose and body. They are seen especially in light-skinned people. Sun protection is important.
Congenital Spots
OTA NEVUS
It is brown, mostly blue-black colored lesions that are one-sided on face around the eyes, on the region ranging to the forehead and sometimes the ear.
ITO NEVUS
It is blue-black colored lesions located on the back and shoulders. The regional spots observed at birth and few months later are not important if they are not in large number. However if their numbers is large, they should be evaluated in terms of neurofibromatosis.
Spot Treatment in Congenital Spots and the Spots Formed Afterwards
Methods to be applied in the spot treatment process can be divided into three as;
- Medical Treatments
- Chemical Peeling
- Laser Treatments
The most commonly used agents in the medical treatments are hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid and retinoic acid. Chemical peelings can be used with good results in appropriate patients. In chemical peeling, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, pyruvic acid, ascorbic acid and trichloracetic acid are the most frequently used acids. Lightening in the spots is possible with the spot treatment to be applied once a week or every fifteen days. Because it may cause increasing in spots in dark-skinned people, it should be applied carefully.
In the laser treatment, Alexandrite laser and Diode lasers can help removing of the skin spots occurred due to UV rays, age and suchlike reasons. The skin spot treatment found appropriate for treatment as a result of examination 1 or 2 sessions made with the Alexandrite laser give quite good results. Winter period is the best period for the treatment. But it can be also applied in summer for those who can protect the regions applied treatment by keeping closed during 2 weeks.
Q switched NdYag lasers are used in removing the congenital spots and the spots developing due to sun, hormonal changes (pregnancy, thyroid dysfunctions etc.) and medicines (like birth control pills). It is possible to get rid of the spots in 6-10 sessions with applications made by applying carbon-based solution. This type of lasers targeting the pigment melanin in dermis without causing any damage to the upper surface, in a word epidermis can easily be applied in summer and winter. Sessions are carried out between 1 week and 15 days.
Nevus Treatment with HOPSL Laser
HOPSL application can be applied by obtaining successful results in hiding and closing of capillaries seen on face and legs, in reducing rash, redness on cheeks, in treatment of roza or, colloquially, rose disease, spots and suchlike situations, in treatment of sunspot, acne, and red scars remained on the skin after acne.
Look : Birth Stain Treatment
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