Brown Spots, including unwanted age or "liver" spots, brown birthmarks, freckles, and many flat brown moles can now successfully be removed using a laser.

The laser works by specifically targeting the brown pigment, or "melanin," present in the skin of these spots. The pigment absorbs the laser's energy and becomes scattered within the skin's tissues. The skin's cleansing cells, called "macro-phages," then digest this excess pigment and clear it from the area. Brown spots visibly fade as the skin heals from the laser treatment. Other than some mild bruising and slight scabbing, the skin itself usually remains virtually unaffected while the brown spots disappear.

One treatment is usually sufficient to remove 20-40 spots on the hands, face or arms. (Brown lesions on the legs, chest or back may also be treated with this laser.) Some spots, however, may take more than one treatment to completely fade.

Some types of pigmented spots do not fade with the laser. Two examples are the large blotchy pigmentation, called "melasma," which arises from pregnancy or oral contraceptives combined with sun exposure and the dark discoloration, called "post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation," which arises from a scar or prior skin injury. This type of pigmentation is best treated with a combination of skin bleaching agents and light chemical peels.

Tattoo Removal

Tattoos may also be faded without scarring using the laser. As in the treatment of age spots, the laser targets only the pigment. In this instance it is the artificially placed tattoo pigment which absorbs the laser's energy. Meanwhile the laser light passes through the normal skin's surface leaving little or no effect.

Most tattoos generally require 4-8 treatments for maximum fading, although some may require more or less treatments. Amateur tattoos often contain more superficially placed pigment. These may require less treatments to achieve significant fading. Older, faded tattoos usually require less treatments than tattoos that are new and brightly colored.

It is best to wait at least two months between treatments to allow for optimal fading.

Laser treatment is safe and the risk of scarring, infection or pigmentation changes is low. Incomplete disappearance of the lesion treated may occur, but usually resolves by repeating the treatment.

For additional information visit our Medical Alliance website.