What Happens to Sun Spots After Laser Treatment?
· Knoxville Laser Clinic
Many people are surprised the first time: right after a laser sun spot treatment, the spots can look darker, not lighter. That is normal. It is a sign that the treatment worked.
Here is what happens, and when.
How the Laser Treats Sun Spots
Sun spots and age spots are areas where the skin made extra pigment after years of sun. The laser sends short pulses of light into each spot. The pigment absorbs the light and breaks into small pieces. The skin around the spot stays untouched.
Your body then clears the broken-up pigment, partly by bringing it to the surface, where it flakes off.
The Timeline
During the session. Each pulse feels like a quick snap. A session takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Right after. The area can look a little pink.
Days 1 to 3. The treated spots often look darker, like coffee grounds on the skin. Do not pick or scrub them.
Days 5 to 14. The darker spots flake off or fade on their own.
Weeks 3 to 4. The skin under the spot looks lighter and more even. Your next session, if you need one, comes about 4 weeks after the first.
Most people see a clear improvement after 3 to 5 sessions.
How to Care for Your Skin After Treatment
- Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
- Let the darker spots flake off on their own.
- Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.
- Wear a hat on long days outside.
Will the Spots Come Back?
Treated spots usually stay lighter. But the sun that made them can make new ones. Daily sunscreen is the best way to protect your results.
One more note: a spot that changes in size, shape, or color should be checked by a dermatologist before any laser treatment. We look at every spot at your visit.
Learn more about sun spot and age spot removal, or book a treatment online.