Treating pigmentation marks with the Hollywood Spectra Laser

Epidermal pigmentation marks are called lentigos or brown marks. They mainly appear with age on areas that are exposed to the sun.

The Q-Switched Hollywood Spectra laser can generally treat them in 2 to 3 sessions.

Thanks to the ultra-short laser pulses, the pigments contained in the marks are thermo-mechanically fragmented, by targeting the melanin (which is why the patient must be tan-free for the treatment).

This treatment is suitable for phototypes I to IV (pale to olive skin).

Treatment procedure for lentigos and pigmentation marks, step by step:

Before starting treatment, photos will be taken of the marks in order to assess how effective the treatment might be.

We recommend applying an anaesthetic cream (such as Emla) then covering the area with an occlusive dressing around an hour before the session, especially if the treatment area is large. You will feel some sensitivity during the treatment, but it is quite bearable.

Just before the session, the doctor will remove the anaesthetic cream and disinfect the area.

Special protective glasses designed for the Hollywood Spectra laser must be worn by the patient and the doctor throughout the session.

The session begins and the laser beam is passed over the marks, from one to several times depending on the pigments present. When the laser is passed over the skin, it feels like an elastic band snapping on the skin and a sharp cracking noise is emitted with every shot.

The session duration depends on the marks’ size (generally a few minutes).

At the end of the session, the marks will have a temporary white or grey appearance. Some small marks (redness) and/or dots of blood and some swelling will appear in the minutes following treatment.

A healing cream and high-factor UV protection (SPF50+) are then applied.

Over the next few days, the patient must avoid rubbing the area, having hot baths, doing intense exercise or exposing the area to ultraviolet rays (sun) for at least a month.

After effects of treating pigmentation marks with the Hollywood Spectra laser

Like all treatments using this type of laser, side-effects are expected but are temporary. The doctor will tell the patient what to do:

Small scabs may appear but must not be scratched or picked. They will fall off on their own after 7 to 10 days.
The skin may feel “sunburnt” and some redness and swelling may occur. This usually only lasts a few hours.
Once the skin has healed, there may be some residual hypopigmentation, e. the patient’s skin may be a bit lighter in areas.
This effect, though rare, can last for several months and usually only happens when adequate sun protection has not been used and/or the scabs have been scratched or picked.
We recommend disinfecting the area and applying a healing cream and sun protection (SPF50+) twice a day for a month after treatment.
Usually 2 to 3 sessions with the Spectra laser are required, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, to completely erase the lentigos.

Counterindications

Like for any aesthetic medicine treatment, patient safety is the doctor’s priority. Therefore, there are some counter indications to consider before undergoing this type of treatment:

Essential oils should not be applied locally or taken orally in the days before the treatment
Creams containing fruit acids or retinol should not be applied in the 48 hours before treatment
No sauna, steam room, exfoliation treatments in the 72 hours before the session
The skin must not be fragile, damaged or infected
The patient should not be pregnant or breastfeeding (as a precaution)

The skin should not be tanned or recently exposed to the sun (less than a month). The skin must be completely tan-free in order to remove pigmentation marks.
The patient must not use self-tanning products or take beta-carotene in the month before each treatment.

Fees

The fee depends on the type of treatment carried out, the size of the lentigos and the treatment time.

The fees per session are set out by the laser specialist during a free consultation prior to treatment, when a quote is drawn up and the effects are explained.

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FAQ — Your questions about pigment spot treatment with the Hollywood Spectra laser

How does pigment spot treatment with Hollywood Spectra work?
The Hollywood Spectra laser delivers very brief energy that breaks up the pigment responsible for the spots (lentigines) through a thermo-mechanical effect, without damaging the surrounding skin. This treatment is reserved for light to intermediate skin types (I to IV).

How does a session go?
An anaesthetic cream can be applied about 1 hour beforehand if needed. The laser passes over the area once or several times depending on the intensity chosen. The session generally lasts a few minutes. The sensation resembles small elastic snaps, uncomfortable but tolerable.

What are the after-effects of a session?
Small crusts may appear and fall off on their own within 7 to 10 days. Temporary redness, similar to sunburn, is possible. A healing cream and SPF50+ sun protection should be applied for one month, avoiding friction, hot baths, sport and sun exposure during this period.

How many sessions are needed and how often?
Generally 2 to 3 sessions 4 to 6 weeks apart are needed. The fee is set per session after a free assessment consultation.