Are you suddenly noticing some dark or brown spots on your face that make you feel insecure and leave you with low self-esteem? Today’s world forces our skin to bear the brunt of everything, including changing environmental conditions, unhealthy habits, busy schedules, increased sun exposure, and pollution. Hyperpigmentation, or the appearance of dark spots or patches on the skin, is the most common condition affecting people of all ages, men and women alike.
Not all dark spots are harmful for the skin, but they can impact skin confidence. When it comes to your skin beauty, there should not be any compromise! In this blog post, we will discuss the effective laser treatments to permanently remove dark and black spots from the face and share the precautions, side effects, and aftercare needed after the treatment.
What are the dark spots on the face?
Melanin excess is the cause of dark spots on the skin, including birthmarks, liver spots, age spots, and sunspots. Darker skin is caused by a skin pigment called melanin. Overexposure to UV light is the catalyst for this overproduction.
Both the sun and artificial sources, like tanning beds, can cause this. The cause of this hyperpigmentation, which mostly manifests in middle age, is overexposure to sunlight early in life, especially for people who burned a lot or did not wear sunscreen. Although some dark spots may be signs of cancer, most dark spots are not harmful.
There are several options available if you dislike how these dark spots on your skin appear. Laser therapy is one way to get rid of the dark spots.
What are the different types of dark spots?
Melasma, sun spots, age spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are three different kinds of dark spots.
1. Melasma
Dark spots on the skin, commonly observed on the nose bridge, cheeks, forehead, chin, and upper lip, are the outward sign of melasma. Women who use oral contraceptives, other hormone therapies, or are pregnant are the main populations affected by this type of hyperpigmentation. It is more common in women with moderate-to-high skin phototypes or darker skin.
2. Age or sun spots
These are dark areas on the skin that develop when the skin is exposed to the sun without proper protection. They are easily identifiable because they are typically tan to brown, flat, oval patches of increased pigmentation. Who is more likely to get these dark spots? people with fair skin and reddish hair, or those who have burned themselves repeatedly over the years.
Age or liver spots typically appear after the age of 50, whereas sun spots typically do so after the age of thirty. Additionally, the latter typically appear on the hands, feet, and upper back.
What are the typical causes behind the appearance of dark spots after treatment?
The reasons behind the appearance of dark spots are:
- Melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour, can either accumulate or be produced in excess, which leads to the formation of dark spots.
- The two main sources of dark spots are tanning beds and the sun.
- Individuals who have fair skin or hair and a history of severe or frequent sunburns are especially vulnerable.
- When a person has skin inflammation, dark patches may appear. Skin damage, acne, psoriasis, and eczema are a few of the ailments that can induce inflammation.
- Whether brought on by ageing, medical conditions like pregnancy, or even menopause, women’s bodies experience a great deal of hormonal change. These changes may lead to pigmentation and dark spots on the face. Melasma, a common disease characterised by brown spots on the skin, is also caused by changes in hormones.
- The darkening of certain skin areas may be a symptom of diabetes. People may mistake two diabetes-related conditions for age spots: acanthosis nigricans, which causes darker, velvety skin, and shinies, also known as diabetic dermopathy.
What are the various non-surgical options to remove dark spots permanently?
Though dark spots on the skin are not always required to be treated, some people might still want to remove them for cosmetic reasons. The right dark spot treatment might depend on the reason behind the black spot, its size, and the area of the spot. If you have dark spots on your face, a dermatologist may recommend these following best treatments for the removal of dark spots on the skin:
1. Microdermabrasion
Using specialised instruments that exfoliate the skin, a skin expert delicately removes the top layer of skin during a microdermabrasion treatment to lighten acne scars, sun spots, and other imperfections. New collagen formation is promoted. This is the best dark spot treatment, and it’s painless and soothing. There is no healing period, even though the skin may swell or become inflamed for a short while.
2. Laser Therapy
An increasing number of people these days opt to use different laser procedures to correct skin discoloration. This is accomplished by a dermatologist using a laser beam through the best and most advanced Alma Q laser to target discoloured areas.
3. Chemical Peels
This procedure promotes skin regeneration after the outermost layer of skin is removed. When comparing professional chemical exfoliants to over-the-counter options, peels work better. Stronger peels are used to treat deeper layers of skin, but healing takes longer in these cases..
Why are non-surgical or laser treatments becoming more popular for removing dark spots?
For the removal of dark spots, lasers are a non-invasive treatment option that doesn’t involve incisions, needles, or knives. To break up the pigmentation without harming the surrounding tissue, lasers are able to penetrate the skin. Patients can resume their daily activities right away following the non-invasive procedure, which also requires little recovery time. This means that there is no prolonged healing period. A topical anaesthetic may be administered to patients in order to numb the affected area and minimise discomfort during treatment.
Lasers, with their ability to precisely target a treatment area, are a great option for treating both large and small brown spots. The following are just a few advantages of laser-dark spot removal:
- Numerous laser treatment options
- Targeted care that addresses both small and large areas
- Secure and efficient
- Minimal recovery and downtime
- The laser treatment is a quick procedure.
- Durable outcomes
- Increases the synthesis of collagen.
Are the results of the laser dark spot removal treatment permanent?
Generally speaking, very long-lasting results are what you can expect from dark spot laser treatment. Depending on the type of pigment concern being treated, some people may even see permanent results. The results for dark spot removal will last as long as you can prevent additional sun damage, which will increase the skin’s production of melanin.
The quantity of dark spots and the size of the treatment area determine how many treatment sessions are required. A skilled dermatologist can evaluate the area being treated and determine how many sessions the patient needs.
Are there any common side effects involved in laser dark spot removal treatment?
The majority of patients do not have any side effects; however, some might experience:
- Irritation or redness
- Bloating
- Minor bruising
- Peeling or crusting
Who is suitable to do laser dark spot removal treatments?
Most people with unwanted dark spots are probably good candidates for laser treatment because most of them are safe for all skin types and tones. A candidate’s skin should be in good condition if, within 14 days of your appointment, there are no active cases of sunburn, eczema, psoriasis, acne, or cold sores. You might not be eligible for this treatment if you are pregnant at the moment.
To find out if laser treatments are appropriate for your skin concerns, you must schedule a consultation. Our skin specialists will assess your skin concerns and obtain your patient’s medical history during the consultation.
What after-cares or precautions are needed following laser dark spot removal treatment?
It may not always be possible to eliminate facial dark spots. For example, it is impossible to prevent the hormonal changes that can result in melasma during pregnancy. Nonetheless, there are a few actions people can take to reduce the possibility of dark spots and stop them from becoming darker:
- Wear sunscreen at all times, even in milder weather.
- Additionally, protect your skin by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
- Treat skin conditions like acne that can lead to inflammation.
- Following a laser procedure, the area needs to be kept clean. Your dermatologist may be able to suggest some mild cleaning agents that are able to remove oil, grease, and bacteria from the affected area without overly irritating the delicate skin.
5. After having a facial laser treatment, it’s critical to moisturise your skin. It hydrates the skin, promotes healing, and forms a barrier that keeps germs out. Additionally, moisturising can help stop scabs and crusts from forming.
Why should you visit the eEpiderma Clinic for laser dark spot removal treatment?
If you want to permanently remove dark or brown spots through laser treatments, the eEpiderma clinic is definitely the right option for you!
Our clinic provides treatments with the utmost safety and with world-class and FDA-approved laser technologies that guarantee 100% results and safety with no risk or side effects. We provide treatments with board-certified dermatologists who examine the patient’s skin and inform them about the right treatment options, outcomes, precautions, and many more.