Laser Treatment For Pigmentation: Expert Opinion 

Pigmentation usually occurs for three main reasons: sun damage, trauma to the skin, or hormonal influence.

Do you know which one yours is? If not, you’re in the right place. Let me quickly help with this. Oh, and by ‘pigment’, what I’m talking about today is HYPERpigmentation; an increase in pigmentation on the skin, rather than HYPOpigmentation which means a loss of pigmentation.

Let’s start with sun damage. Often sun damage is accumulated over years of accidental exposure to UV light and usually appears in areas often exposed to sunlight (makes sense huh), so we’re often talking about the head/scalp, face, neck, decolletage, shoulders, arms, and hands. The pigmentation can show up in different forms; freckles, sunspots, and a general unevenness to the skin tone and colour.

Pigmentation that occurs after a trauma to the skin is technically called post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This form of hyperpigmentation frequently happens after a breakout of spots or after a cut or graze. The hyperpigmentation is restricted to the area of skin that experienced the trauma.

Hormonal pigmentation is called melasma. Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that you have heard being called ‘the mask of pregnancy’. This is because melasma quite often shows up during pregnancy due to the changes and surges in hormones. Melasma isn’t restricted to occurring solely during pregnancy however; a change in hormonal contraception and the menopause can trigger this skin condition. From what I’ve said, you’d imagine melasma to be a female-only issue but it’s not, males can also develop melasma, it’s just far less common.

How Can You Treat Pigmentation & Uneven Skin Tone?

There are lots of skin treatments, including the lasers that we’re focusing on today, that can help you improve your skin pigmentation. I’m going to discuss these below but know that a consultation is important when seeking out any kind of professional skin treatment for pigmentation.

The key thing I’d love you to take away is no matter what type of hyperpigmentation you have, SAFE SUN HABITS reign supreme.

No Ma’am, I’m not just talking about during the summer or on sunny days; those UV rays are hitting our skin 365 days a year. UV rays can penetrate through clouds, through windows, they’re even out and about over winter.

UV rays stimulate the pigment in our skin cells which can make your pigmentation issue worse. There’s absolutely no doubt about it, if you have pigmentation, UV rays are enemy number one.

It’s advisable to make wearing a high SPF as part of your daily routine. Hats, sunglasses, and shade are also your best friends if you have pigmentation issues.

Of course, we need to be extra vigilant when the UV index is high; we would recommend sun avoidance wherever possible.

TIP: if you have an iPhone, your weather app will show you the UV index for the day if you scroll down beyond the 10-day forecast. You’ll know that you’ll need to implement sun safety actions if you’re out and about such as wearing a hat and popping your sunscreen in your bag so you can reapply.

Pigmentation Laser Treatments for Sun Damage

This is an extremely common skin concern that our clients want to discuss at our Hertfordshire skin clinic. Each client will be given recommendations based on their skin, medical background, preferences, and more. However, our absolute go-to pigmentation treatment laser is releases doves the Fraxel Dual laser.

Fraxel laser treatment is the OG when it comes to fractional resurfacing lasers.

It’s testament to its technology, safety profile, and results that New Beauty recently named it the 2024 Best Resurfacing Laser award although Fraxel laser treatment has been around for decades. Even after all these years, with new treatments coming out, Fraxel is still knocking it out of the park.

Learn more about Fraxel Dual.

Pigmentation Treatment Laser for Melasma

Ok, here’s the thing. We have more experience and knowledge than the average skin clinic when it comes to lasers that are approved for treating melasma; Fraxel Dual is FDA approved for melasma, as it the Clear and Brilliant laser and our founder and nurse, Jane, was the UK, European, and Middle Eastern trainer for both of these skin lasers. We have some serious experience under our roof.

Nevertheless, we approach treating melasma with lasers very cautiously because there’s the potential to aggravate the condition. We have protocols in place to reduce this risk and we have alternative options if you decide against the laser route; this includes the Obagi Nu Derm melasma treatment.

It’s important to note that melasma cannot be cured. All melasma treatments are there to reduce the symptoms and allow you to manage the condition. It stands to reason that you should expect to maintain your results, no matter what skin treatment you opt for.

I can’t emphasis this enough, sun avoidance and safe sun habits all year round are your best weapon before, during, and after melasma treatments.

Pigmentation Treatment Laser for Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

It’s common that our clients will seek pigmentation treatment for the face after having acne; it’s not at all unusual to be left with dark, pigmented marks on the skin after having spots. In fact, there can be many different forms of acne scarring in just one small area alongside these marks, including indented scars such as rolling scars, boxcar scars, and ice pick scars. Different scar types often require different treatment approaches to get the best outcome however, in terms of acne scarring, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is one of the least complex concerns to treat.

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or pigmentation following a trauma to the skin anywhere on the body, can also be experienced after surgery or following a scuff, burn, or cut to the skin.

At our Hertfordshire skin clinic, we have a couple of favourites when it comes to lasers to treat this particular skin concern.

Fraxel laser for pigmentation: I sung her praises above when talking about laser for sun damage, the same applies here. Fraxel Dual is the Queen of pigmentation lasers. Learn about Fraxel Dual here.

We also have, and love, the Clear and Brilliant laser: Clear and Brilliant is known as the Baby Fraxel; made by the same laser wizards, she uses the same fractional technology as the Fraxel Dual laser but she penetrates the skin at a more superficial level which can be ideal for the, often, superficial pigmented marks that we’re talking about here. Learn about the Clear and Brilliant laser here.

If your consultation can include a scan of your skin so that your practitioner can gauge how deep your pigmentation is sitting within your skin that would be IDEAL. It’ll give you, and them, a great advantage when choosing the best treatments for you and putting together your treatment plan. This is true for any type of pigmentation. At our Hertfordshire skin clinic, we use the Visia skin scanner.

If you’re curious about the Fraxel laser treatment, Clear & Brilliant laser, Obagi Nu Derm, or simply want to discuss your pigmentation treatment options, book your consultation at our skin clinic today. We’ll be happy to discuss how we can support you.

You can find our pigmentation laser clinic in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. We are easily accessible, with close links to the M25 and a quick, direct Thameslink train from London.