Introduction:
Many people can relate to the never-ending struggle for flawless skin, and one of the solutions to their quest is laser therapy, which assists them in reaching their skin-related objectives. Pigmentation is a common issue and usually manifests as age spots, freckles, acne scars, and melasma (brown patches on the face). Even while there are numerous current pigmentation removal treatments accessible, ranging from topical drugs to chemical peels, the picosecond laser is currently becoming more and more popular.
What Is a Picosecond Laser?
A type of laser technology known as a "pico laser" or "picosecond laser" delivers laser light energy in a trillionth of a second. It is an advancement over the Q-switched laser, a nanosecond laser with pulses lasting one billionth of a second.
How Does It Work?
The picosecond laser operates by directing laser beams with incredibly short pulse lengths toward the skin. Picosecond laser pulses enable each shot to provide more laser energy and ensure that more shots can be fired each second due to their extremely brief pulse duration. There is less damage to the surrounding skin because it is targeted to treat issues like dark spots and acne scars. Any skin type or skin tone can benefit from pico laser therapy.
Does the Picosecond Laser Treatment Hurt?
Without anesthesia or numbing agents, most patients find the discomfort associated with pico laser treatments to be low and manageable. However, if anxious or sensitive to pain, a topical anesthetic before the procedure will help. Pico laser therapy is non-invasive. Patients should anticipate little downtime. Most patients equate the pico laser's sensation to the skin being flicked by tiny rubber bands. Tattoo removal hurts more than getting a tattoo. If a person is sensitive to pain, the doctor can administer a numbing cream.
What Is Skin Pigmentation?
The term "skin pigmentation" describes the skin's color. It is determined by the quantity and type of melanin, a pigment produced by melanocytes, specialized skin cells. Alterations in melanin production can result in pigment disorders such as hyperpigmentation (dark spots), hypopigmentation (light spots), and depigmentation (white spots or patches). Melanin alterations affect skin pigmentation and can result from various variables, including genetics, autoimmune diseases, sun exposure, skin injury from acne, blisters, wounds, and solar radiation.
What Is Skin Pigment Discoloration?
The skin's color may change due to abnormalities of the skin pigment, trauma, and other changes in the body. The skin's surface may alter in tone over a wide area or only in a few spots. Types of skin pigmentation include:
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Hyperpigmentation.
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Hypopigmentation.
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Depigmentation.
Which Pigmentation Disorder Requires a Picosecond Laser?
Hyperpigmentation is treated using picosecond laser therapy. It occurs when the body is induced to make more melanin, giving the skin, hair, and eyes their color. Persons with medium to dark skin tones experience it more frequently. Many reasons cause hyperpigmentation. Some of them are as follows.
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Birthmarks.
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Age spots.
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Acne scars.
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Pregnancy (during which melasma or tan, brown, or gray patches can appear on the face).
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Certain drugs, such as antibiotics and birth control pills.
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Sun exposure.
In What Ways Picosecond Laser Helps Treat Hyperpigmentation?
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Pico Laser Uses Pulsed Laser Energy: The pico laser is a highly focused laser form. It uses brief laser energy pulses that enter the skin into the hyperpigmented pigment, destroying it so the body can naturally get rid of it.
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Skin Rejuvenation Is Another Benefit of Pico Laser Treatment: It improves the skin tone, texture, and elasticity. Elastin and collagen (proteins in the skin) start decreasing as one age. These elements make the skin look firm and young. The skin begins to wrinkle and droop when the reduction in elastin and collagen occurs. The pico laser process stimulates the body's natural collagen production, renewing the entire face and gradually improving the texture and tone of the skin. The procedure can make acne scars less noticeable, lessen wrinkles, and improve the skin's general appearance, giving younger, healthier-looking skin.
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The Procedures Are Short and Generally Painless: Treatments for pigmentation removal in the past might have been lengthy, needing several sessions while patients waited for results. On the other hand, pico laser treatments are quick, and one can see results immediately. There is minimal to no discomfort during the thirty-minute laser session. Depending on the skin condition, effects may be visible after just one session or require multiple sessions to get the desired appearance.
Who Is Suitable for This Procedure?
Adults with acne scars, wide pores, fine and deep wrinkles, or uneven pigmentation are suitable candidates for the pico laser. Most people who want to improve the tone, texture, and color of their skin should be able to have the treatment because it is a light and safe laser therapy. Patients must, however, have realistic expectations from the procedure and be aware that significant skin quality changes may require several sessions. Prospective patients should avoid sun exposure and tanning before surgery because the laser targets melanin in the skin.
Some patients should not have pico laser therapy. Consult the dermatologist about further alternatives if the individuals:
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Are hypersensitive to infrared wavelength of light.
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Take medication that makes them more vulnerable to sunlight or UV rays.
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Have seizures that are brought on by light.
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Have an autoimmune disease, such as lupus erythematosus or type 1 diabetes.
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Take or have recently taken (within the last six months) oral Isotretinoin.
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Have psoriasis, eczema, herpes, melanoma, or active infection in the region being treated.
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Have a tan; most medical professionals advise avoiding the sun or tanning (including using self-tanning lotions) on the area for around four weeks before treatment.
What Are the Side Effects of Picosecond Laser?
The majority of patients tolerate picosecond laser therapy successfully. Pain, erythema, edema, pinpoint bleeding, crusting, blistering, scarring, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and post-inflammatory hypopigmentation are all possible negative effects of picosecond laser therapy. If large fluences (amounts of x-radiation) are employed, the side effects may be worse.
What Are the Other Treatment Options for Hyperpigmentation?
Various methods are available to treat hyperpigmentation. Some of them are as follows.
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Lightening Creams: Skin whitening lotions are the first option. These are easily accessible as over-the-counter products that include pigmentation-lightening chemicals. Licorice extract, lemon extract, vitamin C, vitamin B-3, corticosteroids, soy, N-acetylglucosamine, and other substances are the creams' key components found in gel, cream, ointment, or serum formulations. They have detailed directions for application and gradually lighten the dark areas. They only address mild forms of hyperpigmentation
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Retinoids: Vitamin A is used to make retinoids. Their tiny molecular structure enables them to enter the skin deeply and function internally. They may result in skin dryness and peeling. It is always safer to speak to the doctor first if having sensitive skin or falling under any risk factor categories (pregnancy and lactation).
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Chemical Peels: These peels have a higher acid concentration, which makes it easier for them to target and treat hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels can be purchased over the counter (for superficial peels) or can only be applied by dermatologists. The clinical version produces better and more rapid results. However, improper or untrained usage of chemical peels can result in side effects like redness, irritation, burns, and even scarring.
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Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is a procedure that involves physically removing the top layer of the skin with a tool or crystalline substance.
Conclusion:
A dermatologist should be consulted before choosing an effective treatment method for hyperpigmentation. Picosecond laser treatment helps in treating hyperpigmentation and is a breakthrough innovation. It has provided 97 percent good to excellent results. It is an effective mode of treatment compared to other methods and is being used for a wide range of dermatological issues. It is known to be a gentler and much more effective method.
