Pigmentary changes
- Cosmetically disturbing pigmentary changes (e.g. old-age spots or cafe au lait (milk-coffee) spots) can be removed, nowadays, as can be tatoos, without scarring by using q-switched solid-phase lasers. Lasers employed for this purpose are the ruby, alexandrite or neodyme:YAG lasers which emit a q-switched (short) impulse. Often, one treatment suffices to clear the lesion. Alternatively the so-called IPL- technique, a high-energetic flash-lamp, can be used, and in some cases, even abrasive lasers such as the erbium:YAG laser are employed.
- Chloasma or melasma are pigmentary changes caused by hormonal changes of the organism, such a pregnancy or oral intake of hormones (e.g. contraceptive pill) and are aggravated by exposure to sunlight. Most laser specialists do not treat such lesions by laser anymore, as they tend to recur. We recommend treatment by a drematologist as well as strictly avoiding sun exposure.
- Congenital or aquired pigmented moles (atypical nevi) should never be treated with lasers, since a necessary histologic exam cannot be carried out after the removal. In case of doubt, a surgical excision and histologic examination should always be performed.
- Freckles (ephelides) can be removed by laser, however, they tend to recur upon UV-exposure.
For further questions, please turn to your chosen specialist.
