Pigment Removal

We all want flawless looking skin!

But blemishes from hours spent under the sun, picking away at acne and blackheads and pesky pigment spots have always made it tricky to treat and conceal, Especially Melasma.

Well, not anymore!

We house the most effective and  most advanced multi-application aesthetic laser system in the business for Hyperpigmentation.  Combining four wavelengths  in a single treatment we make best use of the unique laser-tissue interaction characteristics of each laser wavelength, and can dramatically improve the outcome of laser-assisted treatments to achieve superior clinical results.

Our new Fotona SP and StarWalker Line Lasers combats a wide range of skin concerns, including skin resurfacing & rejuvenation, veins and vascular lesions, pigmented lesions &  and much more!

HOW WE TREAT MELASMA

StarWalker is a third-generation technology that uses photoacoustic rather than photothermolytic energy. Therefore, acoustic shockwaves, rather than heat, break apart melanosomes (skin pigments). The micro-particles are then carried out of the body via the lymphatic system.

Melasma pigment requires precision to reach the intended skin layer and not the surrounding cells. Rather than a sweep of energy with ablative effects, micro-pigments absorb focused energy and disintegrate while the skin stays intact, unharmed.

The device also features specially designed, titanium handpieces for the controlled delivery of energy pulses to various target sizes.

Nothing beats the versatility of StarWalker. Multiple settings address concerns ranging from hair removal to vascular lesions and brown spots on the skin.

Pigment Removal
Melasma Before and After | Skintellect
Melasma Before and After | Skintellect
  • Faster treatment and results
  • Consistent results with personalized recorded settings
  • High intelligence and smart design record your personalized treatment settings
  • Minimal discomfort
  • Fewer passes for effective pigment reduction
  • Reduced complications like skin damage, scarring, or unwanted pigment changes
  • Lower on the pain scale
  • Third-generation ASP technology for safety, precision, and efficacy
  • Broadest range of pulse modes, including the unique Ma QX, VERDE, FRAC 3, and VERSA 3 treating pigment, collagen, and more
  • An impressive line of smart-control handpieces
  • Intuitive, easy-to-use
  • Non-invasive, safe treatments with little downtime
  • Patient satisfaction after fewer treatments
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Melasma
  • Uneven Skin Tone
  • Brown & Red Spots
  • Sun Damage
  • Age Spots
  • Freckles
  • Skin Discoloration
  • Intimate Area (ISB)

Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of an area of the skin caused by the overproduction of melanin, a pigment that gives color to human hair, skin and eyes. Because melanin lives in the outermost layer of the skin, by nature, dark-skinned people have more melanin and pigment than those of light skin tone.

Melanin also serves as the body’s natural sun protectant. When skin is exposed to long-term UV rays, melanocytes are triggered to produce more melanin. Essentially, a “tan” is the skin working to protect itself, yet often causing hidden damages that can surface years later, in the form of splotchy patches of hyper pigmentation, ones we often refer to as age spots, sun spots or freckles.

The most common disorders of increased pigmentation are melasma (chloasma), solar lentigos (sun spots) and freckles. Solar Lentigos, the brown spots that appear in sun exposed areas like the tops of the hands and face, are the most common pigmentation problem that we treat. All the other disorders can also be treated very successfully with laser  our therapy.

Luckily, hyperpigmentation by any cause is a benign condition, but it can be very frustrating for men and women alike. For women, makeup has often provided some coverage. Yet, there are far more effective and lasting ways to reduce and remove the effects of too much melanin.

From least to most aggressive, treatments for hyperpigmentation include:

  • Topical Suppressants: Hydroquinone and kojic acid calm the melanocytes that cause dark spots. They are frequently recommended prior to treatment with laser or light therapies.
  • Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion stimulates new skin growth by exfoliating the outer layers with a combination of suction and our diamond tip wand.  Please visit our Microdermabrasion section for more information.
  • Chemical Peels: Peels help stimulate the growth of newer, healthy skin by stripping away outer layers and dead skin cells.  Please visit our Chemical Peels section for more information.
  • Laser: Laser Pigment Removal treatments work to send deep pulses of light energy to the affected areas of the skin, resulting in pigmented lesions breaking up and becoming naturally absorbed in the body.

The wavelengths of light produced by our laser technology are designed to be absorbed by the pigmented areas; the powerful light then “shatters” the pigment, causing it to be dispersed by the body’s lymphatic system. The spots will gradually disappear.

Our latest generation laser is a new age technology that removes all unwanted skin discoloration. For brown age spots, freckles and other brown birthmarks, 1-4 treatments are recommended to accomplish the mission. Our Laser Pigment Removal treatment is non-invasive and has no side effects. The spots removed by laser usually do not recur and but new hyper-pigmentation may form due to sun exposure or other factors.

Other skin hyper-pigmentation conditions such as melasma are more complicated and may require more treatments. Melasma can often comeback; you need to maintain results with homecare products and laser procedures.

After completion of the recommended sessions of Laser Pigment Removal treatment, your skin will be rejuvenated, appearing brighter, cleaner, and smoother.

You will meet with one of our providers for an in depth discussion about your pigmentation. Your skin will be examined and you will be given an opportunity to ask questions and to discuss your medical history. A patch test involves applying the laser to a small area of your skin in order to ascertain you are suitable for the treatment and to check that no adverse reactions are apparent.

  • If you have had a history of herpes simplex virus and are scheduled for facial treatment, prophylactic antiviral therapy may need to be prescribed.
  • The intended treatment area should not be exposed to sunlight or tanning booth light for 14 days prior to treatment.
  • Patients who are taking the medication Accutane should not have a Laser Skin Tightening Treatment until at least six months after they stop using the drug.
  • Please discontinue using any retinol products (Renova, Differin), all alpha hydroxyl acid products (those containing glycolic or lactic acid), salicylic acid products and other topical acne medications such as benzoyl peroxide 1 to 2 weeks prior to your appointment if you are receiving laser hair removal on the areas where those topicals are being applied. This can make your skin more susceptible to damage from the laser.
  • Please avoid antibiotics and/or any photosensitizing medications during the time of treatment.  For patients who are on antibiotics, please allow two weeks from the last day of your medication to come in for an appointment. If taking any hormone stimulating or anti-depression medication, please notify our technician prior to treatment.  Many of these medications can make you photosensitive and susceptible to damage from the lasers.
  • Pregnant women should postpone treatment until after they give birth.
  • If you develop a fever or other illness before your appointment you must reschedule.
  • Patients with tanned or naturally dark skin may experience changes in skin pigmentation after treatment and may not be good candidates for the procedure. You will need a skin evaluation and discuss possible side effects before opting for this procedure.

The eyes are covered with protective eyewear and a thin layer of gel is applied to the treatment area. The laser is placed on your skin and you will be aware of a series of bright flashes as the laser is moved over the treatment area.

Laser pigmentation removal is not painful for the vast majority of people; some report a minor prickling or tingling sensation but this is only while the laser is in action.

  • Most patients experience an initial darkening of the pigmented areas immediately after the treatment. This reaction is a confirmation that the pigment was successfully targeted by the laser. Over the next day or two the pigmented areas develop a mottled brown look that will gradually fade away over the following week or two. Any of the pigmented areas can be easily camouflaged with base while the effects of the laser fades.
  • After your treatment is completed please avoid direct sun exposure on the area which has been treated for 2 weeks.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise and hot environments for at least 24 hours. This is due to the effect which heat can have on capillaries.
  • Your technician may suggest using Aloe Vera or an ice-pack on the area that has been treated to calm down any redness.
  • For most patients, between 1-4 treatments are required depending on the size and damage of the pigmented area, scheduling one treatment every 4 weeks.  A 50-90% reduction in pigmentation can be expected.
  • If the underlying cause of the problem persist, like continual excessive sun exposure, then the pigmentation can reappear over time. Every patient is therefore given a post treatment plan to minimize the chance of the pigmentation returning.