Question 1

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

Some people only need a single treatment.
 
Often 1-3 treatments are needed with a 4-week interval to treat small areas of pigmentation/age spots.

Occasionally you may require more.

Question 2

How long does it take to heal?

Accepted Answer

Everyones skin healing is different, it may be up to 2 weeks for the skin to heal and the pigmentation to gradually flake away.

Question 3

What does it feel like?

Accepted Answer

You may feel some discomfort during the treatment, such as a stinging sensation. 
During your consultation, you will have a patch test, this will enable you to experience what it feels like, but more importantly, to determine the settings your skin requires and to make sure your skin has no adverse reactions before the full treatment goes ahead.
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Question 4

Is there pre-treatment advise?

Accepted Answer

No sun exposure, tanning beds, or fake tan for FOUR weeks prior to treatment. This will decrease the effectiveness of the treatment and increase the chance of post-treatment complications. 
Do not take Ibuprofen or Aspirin 48 hours prior to treatments. 
Do not use pure essential oils on the area 48 hrs prior. 
Remove all makeup, creams and products from the area prior to treatment.

Question 5

What is the post-treatment advise?

Accepted Answer

THIS TREATMENT CAN HAVE UP TO TWO WEEKS DOWNTIME WITH REDNESS AND PINPOINT SCABBING
99% pure Aloe Vera is useful to reduce any mild swelling and erythema (redness). Erythema may last for several hours and up to 48 hours following pigmentation treatment, a cold compress (not ice), or cold gel pad will help reduce this. 
Your skin may be fragile for 2 to 3 days. Use gentle cleaning – do not rub/scrub the treatment area.  Aloe Vera gel aids recovery and soothes.   
If small crusting/scabbing occurs (which is an expected outcome following pigmentation treatment), do not pick the tiny scabs. Pigmentation will gradually flake away over the following 2 weeks, once the skin below has fully healed in its own time. 
Especially important to avoid sun exposure and tanning creams on the treatment area during the entire course of treatments. Use SPF 30-50 on the treatment area if you are exposed to the sun.   
Avoid exercise/excessive sweating for 48 hours. No saunas.   
Avoid irritants and active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, Retin-A, Retinol, Renova, AHA/BHA especially glycolic and salicylic acid, antioxidants such as vitamin C, bleaching creams, general exfoliants and hair dye, on the area, for at least one week following the completion of your course.

Question 6

What will my skin look like after?

Accepted Answer

Your skin will feel a little sore, especially for the first few days. Pin-point scabs may occur, it is important that scabbing comes away naturally or your skin may scar if scabs are picked or rubbed. 
Once scabs naturally come away the pigmentation will reduce, you may then need another session or a review of the area.

Occasionally laser treatment can sometimes leave the skin looking a little pink or lighter in colour after (hypo-pigmented), these pigmentation changes will gradually improve with time and is often preferred over the original darkened pigmentation. We reduce this risk by ensuring energy used is low and that skin is not over treated.
Applying SPF50 or higher following laser treatment is important to help reduce the change of hypo-pigmenation.

Question 7

Am I suitable for treatment?

Accepted Answer

This is suitable for, up to and including a Fitzpatrick skin type 4 (see below).

Westfield Clinic requires you to complete a short Medical Questionnaire before you commence any laser or IPL treatments. This will be emailed to you prior to your initial consultation, which allows time to check your suitability. Some conditions or medications prohibit you from laser treatments and would be unsafe for you at that time. It is important for the effectiveness of the treatment that you are generally fit and well and that your immune system is not compromised.
 
Common medications that may cause photosensitivity can include but are not limited to: Antibiotics Antidepressants Antihistamines Antihypertensives Antiparasitics Antipsychotics Contraceptives Diuretics Hypoglycaemics NSAID and Retinoids. The medical questionnaire will ask you to list any medications, including the dosage so that we can check your suitability
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During the consultation, the treatment will be discussed thoroughly and a series of 3 small patch tests (at various energies) will be carried out, enabling the correct parameters to be established and check your skin's tolerance to light. Full treatment can then commence 3-14 days later following no adverse reactions.
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For more information on contra-indications that could prohibit you from treatment click here...

Question 8

Which laser is best for me?

Accepted Answer

This is based on the depth of the pigment, skin type (Fitzpatrick scale), and type of lesion presented. We have 1064nm, 532nm and 755nm.

Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser - 532nm
• 532nm (green light):
Highly absorbed by melanin, making it ideal for epidermal pigmentation such as:
• Freckles
• Lentigines
• Sun spots
• Superficial pigmentation lesions
We use this with caution on Fitzpatrick IV–V due to higher melanin content.

Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser - 1064nm (near-infrared):
Penetrates deeper into the skin with lower melanin absorption, making it safer for:
• Dermal pigmentation (e.g., nevus of Ota, deep melasma)
• Darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV–V)
• Cases requiring reduced risk of epidermal disruption

Alexandrite – 755nm
• The 755nm wavelength is absorbed strongly by melanin and targets pigmentation in the upper dermis and epidermis.
• Effective for:
• Age spots
• Sun damage
• Superficial pigmented lesions
Best suited to lighter skin types (Fitzpatrick I–III) due to risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker tones.

Sometimes we use just one wavelength, and commonly, sometimes all three in one session!

Question 9

Can it treat staining following varicose vein treatment?

Accepted Answer

No.
This often Haemosiderin staining (iron deposits), so a vascular laser or CO2 tends to work best.

Tri-Wave Laser