Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that may be caused by a variety of factors, including sun damage, genetics and the use of certain cosmetics or skincare products. Hyperpigmentation can appear as dark spots on your skin, which can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available to minimize these dark spots. The best treatment for you depends on the severity of your hyperpigmentation and its cause.

If you have hyperpigmentation near me, laser therapy may be an option for treating it. This treatment uses light energy to break up the dark spots on your skin and reduce their appearance. Laser therapy has been shown to be effective for treating hyperpigmentation in many clinical studies. In this guide we will discuss how laser therapy works, how much it costs and what types of laser therapy are available near me.

Laser for hyperpigmentation near me

Hyperpigmentation symptoms can be frustrating, but Goodman Dermatology can help you find a solution to these symptoms so that you can enjoy lasting relief. We welcome patients from Roswell, Marietta / East Cobb, Woodstock and Dawsonville, GA.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a condition that causes patches of skin to develop a darker color than the surrounding areas. The cause for this is an increase in melanin, a skin pigment, in the affected area. There are many different causes for hyperpigmentation, which can include both genetic dispositions and lifestyle habits.

Fortunately, hyperpigmentation does not have any harmful symptoms, and it can be effectively treated. Goodman Dermatology offers hyperpigmentation treatment to patients looking for the best treatment for hyperpigmentation to achieve clearer skin.

How Much Does Hyperpigmentation Treatment Cost?

The cost of hyperpigmentation treatment will vary depending on the techniques used, and may be covered by some health insurance providers. At Goodman Dermatology, we understand that each patient is entirely unique. With different skin types, cosmetic features and treatment needs, each patient deserves a personalized treatment that is designed with them in mind. For these reasons, we are not able to provide an exact cost for treatment until we have the opportunity to assess your treatment goals and develop a personalized treatment plan.

During your consultation, we will discuss your needs and treatment goals in order to determine this treatment plan and inform you of your hyperpigmentation cost. To make our treatments more affordable for our patients, we are proud to offer financing options through CareCredit®.

How is Hyperpigmentation Treated?

There are many treatments that are effective for addressing hyperpigmentation symptoms. In most cases, the treatment that is best for you will depend on your skin type and the severity and location of your symptoms. At Goodman Dermatology, we specialize in many non-invasive hyperpigmentation treatments, including hyperpigmentation laser treatment. This advanced technique targets melanin in the skin and breaks it up using laser energy.

Many of our skin rejuvenation treatments can also be effective in addressing hyperpigmentation. With these techniques, we offer the following skin pigmentation treatment services:

• Freckles, birth marks, and port stains
• Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatment
• Acne hyperpigmentation treatment

Are There Any Side Effects from Hyperpigmentation Treatment?

The side effects from your hyperpigmentation treatment will vary depending on the treatment method used. However, we strive to offer treatments that are gentle on the skin to minimize side effects as much as possible.

Is There Any Downtime Required After Hyperpigmentation Treatment?

For most hyperpigmentation treatments, there is no downtime or recovery period necessary. Some laser treatments may cause mild skin irritation, which will not directly require downtime, but may require you to alter some of your normal habits in the days following your appointment.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect from Hyperpigmentation Treatment?

The results you achieve from hyperpigmentation treatment will vary depending on the treatment method used. During your consultation, we will discuss your treatment options to determine the treatment plan that will deliver the best results. At this time, we will let you know what kind of results you can expect. Patients are encouraged to maintain healthy lifestyle habits following their treatment to ensure that their results last as long as possible. 

Best laser for hyperpigmentation on dark skin

You read a lot about the wonders of Botox and the benefits of lasers, but you don’t always hear about the potential side effects involved. The technology for in-office beauty treatments has come a long way, but it’s still not perfect. Additionally, some of those popular lasers and light treatments pose more risks than rewards—especially for skin of color. We asked licensed esthetician and skincare expert Kerry Benjamin to help us figure out what to try and what to avoid.

MEET THE EXPERT

Kerry Benjamin is an L.A.-based esthetician. She is the founder of StackedSkincare and the StackedSkincare spa in Santa Monica, CA.

Scroll through to find out which beauty treatments women with dark skin should stay away from. 

“Lasers can be very dangerous and often cause permanent damage for darker skin tones,” Benjamin says. “Putting heat on skin that already has a propensity to pigment will likely only worsen the problem; I’ve seen this way too many times with my clients.” That said, darker skin tones, including type four, five, and six skin can safely have laser hair removal with an ND-Yag laser.¹ Not every laser is for every skin type.

“You need to treat dark skin with caution, or you can cause serious permanent damage,” Benjamin says. “Microdermabrasion, medium-depth chemical peels, dermaplaning, and microneedling are all super safe and effective at treating acne, pigment issues, and scarring.” It may take more than six months of treatments, but when you’re dealing with the delicate skin on your face, “slow and steady wins the race” is a pretty good philosophy to adopt. And even though these procedures may not be as intense as laser treatments, you can combine multiple treatments for better results (without creating pigmentation risks). But, use caution if you have a darker skin type, or if you’re prone to hyperpigmentation with medium depth chemical peels (superficial are safer!).²

At home, Benjamin recommends broadband SPF 30 or higher (duh), retinol, and products with exfoliating and skin-brightening ingredients like lactic acid, kojic acid, azelaic acid, arbutin, and licorice extract, all of which will help with skin texture and tone irregularities. “For hyperpigmentation and acne scarring, the Collagen Rejuvenating Kit is ideal,” Benjamin says. It includes an epidermal growth factor activating serum, a mineral peel with exfoliating willow bark extract and nourishing seaweed extract, and a collagen-boosting at-home microroller. “The combination of these treatments will stimulate collagen, speed up wound healing and cell turnover, and break down scar tissue to brighten and smooth out the tone and texture of the skin.” There is one caution: “People with active pustular or cystic acne should not use a microneedle. Once the acne is gone, it is safe to microneedle at home to remove any post-inflammatory pigmentation or scarring left behind from the acne.

can laser remove pigmentation permanently

Pigmentation Removal With Laser: What To Expect

Pigmentation can appear out of nowhere.

One morning you wake up and look in the mirror, and you can see little brown patches across your forehead and dotted around your face. These unwanted dark spots can build up over time and damage your self-confidence. 

But pigmentation doesn’t have to be permanent. PicoSure is the most advanced laser treatment for pigmentation removal.  You can get clearer, younger-looking skin without the downtime and side effects of more invasive laser treatments. 

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about PicoSure pigmentation removal. 

What Is Pigmentation?

Pigmentation is the colouring of your skin. Melanin is the pigment produced in your skin cells that determines the colour of your skin. When your body produces too much melanin, it causes hyperpigmentation, resulting in darker patches of skin.

Change in pigmentation can appear on almost any part of the body but usually appears on the face and other areas exposed to the sun’s powerful UV rays. 

While hyperpigmentation isn’t harmful, it can make you appear older than you truly are. 

What Causes Pigmentation?

There are lots of different causes for changes in pigmentation. However, for most people, pigmentation is caused by an excess of melanin. When too much melanin is produced in an area of the skin, it leads to discolouration and noticeable pigmentation. 

The most common causes of pigmentation include:

• Sun exposure
• Genetics
• Change in hormones
• Birthmarks
• Damage to the skin
• Medical conditions
• Medications

Sun exposure is one of the leading causes of hyperpigmentation. This is because sun exposure triggers the body to produce more melanin to protect the skin. This is why your skin becomes darker after exposure to sunlight – a suntan. 

Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays causes excessive creation of melanin which is deposited in the skin, resulting in hyperpigmentation.

Is PicoSure Laser Good for Pigmentation?

PicoSure laser treatments are the best way to treat hyperpigmentation. You can remove freckles, sun-damaged skin, pigmentation, and age spots without the downtime and risks involved with more invasive cosmetic treatments. 

In a clinical study published in the Annals of Dermatology, PicoSure laser sessions were shown to be an effective treatment for melasma and pigmentation. PicoSure also has a much lower risk of adverse side effects when compared to other laser therapies. 

How it Works

Your clinician can target the discolouration with PicoSure laser energy. Because the discolouration is darker than the surrounding skin, it attracts and absorbs the laser energy. 

Unlike some laser therapies, PicoSure laser treatments do not damage the surrounding skin. The laser energy is delivered in one trillionth of a second. The short burst of energy doesn’t heat the skin like traditional laser treatments.

The excessive melanin deposits in the skin are shattered into tiny pieces. Your body can then naturally remove the shattered pigment from your skin, leaving you with a clearer and even-toned complexion. 

A laser treatment session usually lasts around 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and the type of pigmentation. 

What Happens After the Treatment?

Laser treatments are the fastest way to remove hyperpigmentation, but it still takes time to see results.  Pigment will darken for 1-3 weeks following the treatment, then will begin to fade.

Immediately following a laser session, you may experience redness, tenderness, and mild swelling. Many clients say that the sensation is similar to the effect of sunburn. You may want to use a cold compress on the area to make it feel more comfortable. 

It’s important that you don’t rub or scratch the area to avoid any side effects and allow the skin to heal properly. 

Many people go straight back to work and social activities immediately following treatment. Any side effects should subside within a day or two of treatment. During this time, you should avoid applying any skincare products or makeup that could irritate the skin.Do I Need To Prepare?

You should avoid any laser treatments, skin needling, or chemical peels for 2 weeks before the procedure. It’s also important to protect your skin with sunscreen and avoid direct sun exposure in the week leading up to your laser session. 

Your clinician may also recommend that you stop certain medication and topical skin creams a week before treatment as they can increase the light sensitivity of the skin.

 If you take regular medications and/or use high grade or prescription skincare it is best to consult with our clinicians prior to your treatment. 

Does Laser Pigmentation Removal Hurt?

The level of discomfort can depend on the location of the treated area and the type of pigmentation. PicoSure is a much more gentle laser treatment. Most people do not require anaesthetic and describe the sensation as similar to an elastic band flicking against the skin. 

We also use a skin cooling system to minimise any discomfort. 

Is There Any Downtime?

There is no downtime associated with PicoSure laser pigmentation removal. You don’t need to book any time off work or cancel any social plans. However, to allow your skin to heal your clinician will recommend that you avoid the following for the next 24 hrs,  strenuous exercise, saunas, hot tubs, chlorinated pools and do not expose the treated area to direct sunlight. 

Your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight immediately following treatment, so you should apply SPF 50 sunblock before leaving the clinic. 

How Many Laser Sessions Are Needed for Pigmentation?

The number of sessions you will require will depend on the depth and type of pigmentation you want to treat. We usually recommend a series of up to 6 sessions spaced 3-4 weeks apart to achieve the best results. You will see an improvement after each session. 

During your free consultation at b clinic, your clinician will provide a personalised treatment plan for your aesthetic goals.

Will Laser Pigmentation Removal Work for My Skin Type?

It’s essential that you see a qualified practitioner for any laser treatment. During your consultation, your clinician will determine the type of pigmentation and your skin type before recommending a treatment plan that will provide the best results.

Does Pigmentation Return After Laser Treatment?

You will require a series of laser sessions to remove pigmentation from the skin. After each session, you will see an improvement as more of the melanin deposit is shattered and flushed away by the body. 

Pigmentation can return as several factors cause discolouration of the skin, including sun exposure. However, you can maintain your results for longer and stop pigmentation from appearing by protecting your skin from the sun with SPF 50 sun cream, by using high quality skincare at home and avoid prolonged exposure.