Laser pigmentation is an aesthetic dermatological procedure used to remove several types of pigmentation – sun spots, age spots, and freckles.
The laser is targeted to the pigmented areas on the skin, which absorb the light.
This heats the tissues and breaks down the pigment without harming the surrounding tissues.
Laser pigmentation removal is effective in reducing or eliminating common skin pigmentation issues, including:
Different types of pigmentations occur due to many reasons. The most common causes of pigmentation are:
Pregnancy hormones cause a type of pigmentation called melasma or pregnancy mask. Menopause and other hormonal conditions can also trigger pigmentation of the skin.
Excessive sun exposure can result in sun spots, age spots, freckles, and a generalised patchy pigmentation on the skin. This becomes more noticeable after 40 when the damage has accumulated, and the skin is less likely to regenerate.
Post-inflammatory pigmentation or redness due to acne can leave brown spots on the skin
These are pigmented spots or areas on the skin that are present from birth
At Hortman Clinics, the celebrity-endorsed laser clinic in Dubai, advanced laser platforms are selected based on pigment depth, skin type, and treatment goals to ensure safe, precise pigmentation correction.
Some of the following advanced lasers we use at Hortman Clinics, the award-winning laser treatment centre in Dubai, help reduce pigmentation and improve skin texture:
Picosecond lasers are among the most effective solutions for stubborn pigmentation and melasma, delivering ultra-short pulses that shatter pigment particles via their photoacoustic effect. The fragmented pigment is eliminated by the body, resulting in the gradual fading of the pigment.
The StarWalker delivers ultra‑short, high‑energy pulses that selectively target melanin in the pigmented areas, breaking them down into tiny fragments. This is a hybrid laser that combines the technology of a Q-switched and a picosecond laser, reducing heat generation and risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, making it suitable for melasma and darker skin types.
The Fotona SP Dynamis uses Q-switched and long-pulse Nd: YAG wavelengths to target melanin in pigmented lesions, breaking it down into tiny fragments that the body can easily eliminate. This laser is useful in treating melasma, lentigines, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation with controlled energy delivery.
The HALO is a powerful laser that helps improve pigmentation by resurfacing the superficial pigment layer and stimulating dermal turnover, thereby enhancing skin texture. The HALO laser is particularly useful for treating sun damage and mixed photoaging concerns.
The MOXI laser is a non-ablative fractional laser designed for early pigmentation and maintenance treatments. It promotes epidermal renewal and gradual pigment reduction with minimal downtime.
A fractional resurfacing laser, the UltraClear improves pigmentation by accelerating epidermal turnover and collagen remodelling. It is useful for textural improvement and reducing pigmentation.
Similar to a laser, BBL therapy uses an advanced IPL system that emits filtered light absorbed by melanin. BBL treats pigmentation by delivering broad‑spectrum light that is preferentially absorbed by melanin in pigmented areas, causing them to gradually fade over the next few days to weeks. It is effective for superficial pigmentation, sun damage, freckles, and age spots.
Laser pigmentation works in the following way:
The laser is a precision tool and reduces pigmentation without affecting the surrounding tissues. The dermatologist will use different wavelengths of laser depending on the type and depth of the pigmentation. You may require multiple sessions for optimal results, and your treatment outcome will depend on skin type, severity of pigmentation, and chosen laser technology.
During a laser pigmentation removal procedure:
After a laser pigmentation removal, you may experience mild, temporary redness and subside in a few hours. Here are a few instructions to follow after the procedure:
Taking care of the treated areas is important to prevent pigmentation from returning.
Laser pigmentation removal offers several benefits, such as:
Pigmentation can occur for many reasons and anywhere in the body. Whether it is sunspots or hormonal changes, we understand pigmentation can affect not just your skin but also your confidence. Laser pigmentation removal is an effective way to treat pigmentation concerns. But are you a candidate for this procedure? Consult our dermatologist to find out!
You are a suitable candidate for laser depigmentation if:
You are a suitable candidate for laser depigmentation if:
Laser beams generate heat when applied to the pigmented target area. The heat energy breaks down the pigments. These fragmented pigment particles are eliminated from the body by the immune system.
Not all pigmentation can be removed completely. While some superficial pigments can be removed entirely, others, like melasma, can only be reduced by 70% to 90%. You will often require multiple sessions to fade or remove the pigmentation.
Most people require multiple laser pigmentation removal sessions (around 2 to 8), and any two sessions have a three-week interval. You may need a longer interval between two sessions if a strong laser is used. Once the laser pigmentation removal procedure is completed, you may need follow-up sessions every few months to maintain the results and reduce the chances of the pigmentation reappearing
Some pigmentation can return or recur even after laser depigmentation treatment. However, you can reduce the recurrence by using good sun protection and a dermatologist-approved skincare routine. Maintenance or follow-up laser treatments may be needed in some individuals to prevent new pigmentation spots from forming. Dermatologists will also work with you to correct any suspected underlying cause that may be giving rise to pigmentation, such as hormonal fluctuations, ageing, or accumulated sun damage.
Laser pigmentation removal is a safe procedure that does not harm the skin. Some people may experience temporary redness in the treated area. Thorough skin evaluation and determination of the cause of pigmentation are very important to reduce potential side effects of this procedure.
Laser depigmentation is one of the quickest ways to remove hyperpigmentation, but it takes many weeks to see results. In many cases, the pigmentation darkens for around one to three weeks after the procedure and then begins to fade.
Laser pigmentation removal is a painless procedure but may cause mild discomfort. Dermatologists describe the discomfort as similar to snapping a rubber band against your skin. You won't feel discomfort or pain once your skin gets used to the laser.
Some lasers may damage darker skin tones, especially when performed by an inexperienced clinician. However, some lasers available today are suitable for people with dark skin tones.
Everything we do is tailored to your needs, this is why we take our time to take care of you and answer all your questions.
