Hello. I am a dermatologist.
As summer officially begins, strong UV radiation often exacerbates pigmented conditions like melasma and blemishes. Especially after vacations, many people visit dermatology clinics because new melasma appears or blemishes become more noticeable due to increased outdoor activities. Today, we will delve into the common misconceptions and truths related to laser toning, the most basic treatment for these pigmented conditions.
Why Pigmented Condition Management is Important in Summer
Strong UV radiation in summer can promote melanin production, making existing melasma and blemishes darker or causing new pigmentation. Outdoor activities during vacation periods, in particular, place a significant burden on the skin, so it is important to manage them in advance or effectively treat exacerbated pigmentation.
What is Laser Toning?
Laser toning is a basic laser procedure widely used for treating pigmented conditions. It uses a specific wavelength of light to selectively destroy melanin pigment, minimizing damage to surrounding skin tissue. A benefit is that scabs do not form after the procedure, causing less disruption to daily life.
Do Pigment Lasers Cause Scabs?
Pigment lasers can be broadly divided into two types:
- Procedures that cause scabs: Scabs form after the procedure, and if care is neglected when the skin becomes sensitive after these scabs fall off, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may occur. However, this hyperpigmentation gradually fades over time, so there is no need to worry too much.
- Procedures that do not cause scabs: Procedures like laser toning do not cause scabs, so the likelihood of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is very low. Therefore, it can be performed with relatively less burden.
Common Misconceptions and Truths About Laser Toning
Let's address common questions about laser toning.
Does laser toning make melasma darker?
This is partly true and partly false. If laser toning is performed excessively, melasma may temporarily become slightly darker. However, in such cases, it can be sufficiently improved through other methods.
Does skin become dry after laser treatment?
Since lasers are a type of light, the skin may temporarily become dry after the procedure. This dryness usually disappears after about a week, and it is advisable to pay special attention to moisturizing during this period.
Does laser treatment make the skin thinner?
This is not true. Although it is commonly believed among the general public that laser treatment thins the skin, actual measurements of skin thickness before and after laser treatment show many reports that repeated laser treatments actually made the skin thicker.
Be Cautious with Laser Toning in These Cases
Laser toning is a safe procedure, but caution is needed in the following cases:
- Individuals sensitive to light: Since laser toning uses light, individuals sensitive to light should consult sufficiently with medical staff before the procedure.
- Vitiligo patients: If you have vitiligo (white patches on the skin), the vitiligo lesions may spread during laser toning, so you must inform the medical staff.
How are Laser Toning and IPL Different?
Both laser toning and IPL are used for pigment treatment, but there are differences in their mechanism of action and primary treatment targets.
- Laser Toning:
- Uses a single wavelength of light to deliver energy to melanin cells multiple times.
- Does not cause scabs, so there is no disruption to daily life.
- Mainly used for melasma treatment.
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light):
- Uses various wavelengths of light to act on different types of pigment.
- May leave slight scabs after the procedure.
- Mainly used for blemish treatment.
When melasma and blemishes are present together, combining both procedures can lead to more effective treatment.
More Advanced Laser Toning Equipment, Pico Laser
The equipment primarily used for laser toning is the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. 'Q-switched' implies a short pulse duration.
Recently, the picosecond laser, which has a much shorter pulse duration, has been developed and is now in use. A shorter pulse duration means less heat diffusion to surrounding tissues, allowing for more selective treatment of melanin cells. This enables safer and more effective treatment compared to conventional lasers.
Currently, various companies are introducing different types of picosecond laser devices, and picosecond lasers with short pulse durations are known to be safer and more effective. PicoWay is a representative device with the shortest pulse duration.