Avoid the sun for 4 weeks before and after treatment, and during any treatment courses. You may develop hypopigmentation (white spots) after treatment if skin is tanned. The use of self tanning products must be discontinued one week before treatment.
A treatment can take as little as a few minutes to as long as an hour, depending on the size of the area being treated. Often the strength of the laser pulse is changed depending on the reaction on skin and patient comfort.
Each pulse of light feels like the flick of an elastic band. Most patients do not find the treatment too painful. Cold air spray and local anaesthetic cream could be used to reduce this discomfort.
Immediately after the treatment, there will be redness and swelling on the treatment site which may last up to 2-3 hours or longer. The treated lesion will appear darker in colour and may look shrivelled. This is normal. The area can be cooled using cold compresses or ice pack. Post-operative care consists of applying Aloe Vera gel or Liposome complex 3-4 times a day and avoidance of sun exposure in an effort to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Avoid exercise for 24 hours after treatment.
The most important thing about pigmentation is that the patient follows all instructions and takes a long-term view to the process of skin lightening. There are very few quick fixes and people usually come to us having been disappointed elsewhere. Improving your pigmentation as much as possible (varies from person to person as we are all individuals) depends on a team-work approach between us and you.