AESTHETIC TREATMENTS
Green Toning & Angel Whitening: laser pigmentation treatments
Laser treatments can fade dark skin lesions such as freckles, age spots and melasma.
- Suitable for all skin types
- Effective for deep and shallow pigmentation
- Other benefits include hair reduction, treatment of acne, fading capillaries and improving skin texture
Laser treatment for skin pigmentation is a versatile approach that targets unwanted dark spots, freckles, and uneven skin tone.
High-energy laser beams are precisely directed at the affected areas. These intense light pulses penetrate the skin, selectively breaking down excess melanin, the pigment responsible for freckles, age spots and other dark lesions. When melanin absorbs the laser energy, it either heats up or shatters into smaller particles, which are then removed by the immune system.
Laser can also stimulate collagen production, giving a smoother consistency and more even complexion.
Benefits of laser pigmentation treatment
Our Fotona Starwalker laser operates at a wavelength (1064 nm) that penetrates into the dermis (deeper layer of the skin). It can fade shallow pigmentation, such as freckles and age spots, and deeper pigmentation such as melasma.
This wavelength is also absorbed by vascular structures and water molecules, providing multiple other benefits:
- Reducing broken capillaries.
- Treating acne.
- Reducing facial redness and rosacea.
- Smoothing fine wrinkles.
- Hair reduction.
Green toning: for lighter skin types
Green toning uses an additional wavelength (532 nm) which is strongly absorbed by melanin. This wavelength is effective against freckles and other structures on the surface of the skin, such as seborrhoeic keratoses. Treatments at this wavelength can generate heat, which sometimes causes unwanted pigmentation in darker skin types; it’s best used in skin types I-III.
Recommended treatment protocol: Four treatments, four weeks apart.
Angel Whitening: for darker skin types
Angel Whitening is a gentle treatment that avoids heating which could cause unwanted pigmentation in people with darker skin. It’s a series of multiple passes at different energy levels and covering different areas of the face.
Recommended treatment protocol: Four to six treatments, two to four weeks apart.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
How it’s done
Laser appointments usually last about 1 hour. The treatment area is cleaned, and you will be asked to wear glasses or goggles to protect your eyes. The treating doctor, nurse or dermal clinician will systematically guide the laser over the treatment area. The laser emits a pulse of light from 4mm to 8mm in diameter. The pulses are about 1 second apart. The laser light is guided across the treatment area in a “painting” motion, varying between up-and-down and side-to-side motions, making sure that the entire area is covered.
During treatment, your skin may feel warm, but there is usually minimal discomfort. Once the treatment area is completely covered, your skin will be cleaned, and a soothing balm or silicone gel and sunscreen will be applied.
How to prepare
Get better result and reduce downtime by following these steps.
Keep your skin as pale as possible. Avoid unprotected sun exposure on the area to be treated. Wear sunscreen and a hat if your face will be treated.
Don’t apply fake tan or take supplements that promote tanning.
Don’t apply tinted cosmetics, tinted moisturiser or tinted sunscreen to the area to be treated.
Don’t apply any of the following to the area to be treated:
- Topical products containing retinoids, tretinoin, vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs.
- Perfume or essential oils.
If you are taking medication, check the list at Dermnet and if you are taking any of these medications, ask your prescribing doctor if it’s safe to stop taking it for 2-3 days before your laser procedure. If not, contact us, and our doctor or registered nurse will provide advice.
In the morning, wash your skin using a gentle, non-soap cleanser.
Don’t apply any skin products to the area other than low-irritant sunscreen with no pigment.
Please don’t apply make-up on the day of treatment.
For the first few days, you need to manage discomfort and inflammation. Following that, avoid sunlight and skin irritants for several weeks.
Learn more about laser pigmentation and rejuvenation (non-ablative) aftercare.
Side effects and warnings
Both laser and intense pulsed light can damage the eyes. Glasses or goggles must be worn at all times.
Intense treatments can cause skin irritation and redness, bleeding, burns, blisters or bruising. Before administering a treatment likely to cause such side effects, we will advise what to expect and provide information about aftercare.
Avoid known photosensitising drugs and chemicals before light-based treatments such as laser, IPL/BBL and LED light therapy. If you are taking these medications, be sun smart every day.
More infoCold sores are a known side effect of surgical, laser and IPL treatments. You can reduce the risk by taking antiviral medication before treatment, or immediately if you notice the onset of cold sore symptoms after your treatment.
More infoRedness, swelling, blisters and sores are often a common result of aesthetic and skin cancer treatments. In most cases, they can be managed easily and settle gradually over the following weeks. However, it’s important to notify the clinic if you are very uncomfortable or concerned about your reaction being abnormal.
More infoBruising is common after procedures involving bleeding. It appears as a blue or purple patch under the skin and gradually changes colour and fades over 1-2 weeks.
More info
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