Laser Skin Resurfacing
Hyperpigmentation is usually a harmless and quite common condition in which dark patches occur on the skin. This darkening takes place because of an excess of melanin (brown skin coloring pigment) that forms deposits on the skin. Hyperpigmentation can affect the people of any skin type and color.
Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta (PSI), led by plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey, provides laser skin resurfacing to reduce hyperpigmentation to patients in Atlanta, Marietta, Georgia, and surrounding communities.
What is Laser Skin Resurfacing for Hyperpigmentation?
Laser skin resurfacing is a form of skin care procedure that involves the use of lasers for helping improve the appearance of the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation. Your doctor may select ablative or non-ablative lasers depending on your unique needs. Erbium laser is commonly used for hyperpigmentation and other superficial skin concerns. All types of ablative lasers remove the outermost skin layers.
Procedure Expectations
The outer layers of the skin are targeted by laser skin resurfacing white it heats the underlying dermis at the same time. The following steps are involved in the procedure:
- Your skin will be prepared before the procedure starts.
- A topical anesthetic will be applied by the doctor on the day of the procedure. This is for reducing pain and making your comfortable during the procedure. Your doctor may suggest pain killers or a sedative if a larger skin area is being treated.
- The skin will be cleansed next for removing excess dirt, oil, and bacteria.
- The treatment will begin using selected laser which will be moved around the designated area slowly.
- Finally, the treatment area will be dressed in wraps for protecting the skin.
Treating Dark Skin Tone with Lasers
All skin colors don’t react to laser in the same manner. Doctors make use of Fitzpatrick scale (human skin color classification system) for estimating the skin’s response to UV (ultraviolet) light. There are five basic categories according to the system – 1 has the lightest response while 6 retains the most melanin.
While you can use any laser type on any skin tone, it is important to be mindful. Hyperpigmentation is a very real risk in patients with more pigment. This means you are risking darkness, brown spots, and blotchiness as an undesired side effect.
However, this doesn’t mean that dark skinned people need to shy away from laser therapy. They can practice caution and find a treatment provider that has experience using laser for their particular skin type and who can assess the risks against value addition.
Choose Erbrium Lasers for Darker Skin
As per experts, there is a common misconception in cosmetic enhancement circles, that laser resurfacing is only meant for lighter skin tones. It is true that certain lasers pose a higher risk in darker skin.
However, there are always effective and safe resurfacing options. Erbium laser is a good option for lighter-toned Hispanic, African American, and Asian skin tones. It poses a far less risk of discoloration as compared to other laser skin resurfacing types.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Marietta, Georgia, and nearby areas for laser skin resurfacing to eliminate or reduce hyperpigmentation on the face.
Contact Marietta, Georgia Plastic Surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta for a Consultation
For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:
Serving patients in and around Marietta, Atlanta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Buckhead, Morningside/Lenox Park, Virginia-Highland, Candler Park, Midtown, Inman Park, Poncey-Highland, Ormewood Park, Georgia and other surrounding areas.