Does Laser Pigmentation Treatment Hurt?
Understandably, a lot of patients are concerned that laser pigmentation treatment will be a painful procedure. But the good news is that most patients report minimal discomfort during the treatment. The laser has been described as having rubber bands snapped on the skin, which means there is a slight sting during treatment. But, patients do say that the air cooling system helps and makes the treatment a lot more comfortable. There is the possibility that a topical anaesthetic cream may be applied to help patients that are sensitive and worried about laser pigmentation treatment.
What Can I Expect after Treatment?
There are minimal after effects to expect from laser pigmentation treatment. Some patients experience some minor swelling in the area that is treated. But, this can be made comfortable with a cold compress and usually fades within 24 hours of treatment. In addition, the skin can appear red and look a little like sunburn. Again, this will subside by itself.
One of the signs that laser pigmentation treatment has been successful is when the scabbing and skin starts to flake. This can take several days to appeal and it is a sign that the area is healing. After around two weeks, patients can expect to see a difference in their complexion and in the previous pigmentation in the area.
If patients are self-conscious and worried about their appearance after laser pigmentation treatment, makeup can be applied to the skin the next day to hide any redness or darkened spots that have appeared. Any exfoliating products should be avoided.
Is There any Downtime?
There is no downtime associated with laser pigmentation. This means that you are not required to take any time off work for the procedure. A lot of people will return to work straight away and resume their normal routine. It is only recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise or hot baths straight after the pigment laser procedure. It is also recommended to stay out of the sun for a while after treatment to ensure the skin is able to heal healthily. The skin can be more sensitive right after the procedure so care should be taken to apply protective sun block.
When Will I See Results?
The results from laser pigmentation treatment will gradually appear after the procedure. While they are not visible straight away, you will see subtle and natural changes in the appearance of your skin and the diminishing of the pigmentation. The skin will not be noticeably different straight after the procedure. Once the redness has subsided, there is skin flaking that happens. Once the flaking has stopped, this is when the final results of laser pigmentation treatment can be realised. This can take around two weeks.
If you would like to find out more about laser pigmentation treatment or whether this procedure is right for you, you can arrange a personal consultation today.