Allure Skincare - Treatments

Pigmented Lesions

Almost everyone has a pigmented lesion of some sort. Sunlight, the elements and the natural aging process all contribute to the development of dark spots and freckles. Your face, hands and chest are the first parts of the body to show signs of aging because they receive so much sun exposure. Age spots and freckles are forms of pigmented lesions. They are caused by excess production of melanin in the skin by cells called melanocytes.
Most of the lesions are just a cosmetic problem. Things that would make some one suspicious about pigmented lesions being precancerous or cancerous are irregular borders, scaling, bleeding, itching, multiple colors or large (or increasing) size. Any suspicious lesion must be biopsied before it is removed. If ever questionable, err on the side of caution.
Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light devices have been used with great success to remove brown spots. The goal here is for the energy to be selectively absorbed by the pigmented areas, sparing the normal surrounding skin. Topical remedies such as bleaching agents, glycolic acid, and retinoids can be tried but usually these agents are only minimally effective.

How does it work and what areas can be treated?
During treatment, the IPL wavelength is optimized so that the energy is absorbed only by the unwanted melanin, raising the temperature to cause shattering of the pigment.

What should I do in preparation for the IPL treatment?
You should avoid sun exposure and tanning (including artificial tanning products and procedures) before and after your treatments. Also, you should discontinue the use of blood thinners such as aspirin or other types of anti-platelet or anti-coagulant herbal remedies including Gingko biloba and Vitamin E. Please consult with your doctor!

Is it uncomfortable, what will I notice afterwards and when can I return to normal activities?
Most patients tolerate the procedure quite well and don’t require any topical anesthetic prior to the procedure. For those who desire, a topical anesthetic cream is available at all times. You will see the brown spots darken immediately after treatment and then flake off during the following week. There may be mild redness in the surrounding skin. You can immediately resume all regular activities. By dividing the treatment into several sessions you get progressive improvement with low risk.

How many treatments will I need?
This depends on several factors including skin tone and the extent of pigmented lesions. Typically three treatments are performed at monthly intervals for optimal results, though we may see the pigmented lesions clear sooner