Will one session be enough?
Almost never. Sun spots clear in 2 to 4 sessions; melasma is its own question, answered below. After the first session I can say how many more it should take.
PicoWay® Resolve
Picosecond light for pigment, scars, and renewal.
The same Candela PicoWay® as the tattoo work, with the Resolve handpiece fitted and tuned to melanin instead of ink. Short pulses break excess pigment into fragments the body clears over the following weeks; at other settings the same pulses work on acne scars and fine texture. Not the only tool I have for pigment, and not always the first one I reach for.
Typical sessions2 – 4every 4–6 weeks
Treatment time5 – 15min
Downtime1 – 3days
DiscomfortMild to moderate
What it treats
Best for pigmentation, acne scars, and dull, uneven skin.
- ·Sun spots, age spots, melasma
- ·Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- ·Freckles, lentigines
- ·Uneven skin tone
- ·Texture and fine lines
- ·Acne scars
- ·Skin rejuvenation and anti-ageing
Aftercare
Darker before lighter.
Treated spots may darken and form small scabs over the following days, then shed on their own. The skin around them stays pink for a day or two. Do not pick anything.
Do
- Moisturise twice a day.
- Use SPF 50+ on the treated area every morning, year-round.
- Keep the treated area clean while the scabs are there.
- Tell me if a spot is still dark after four weeks.
Don't
- Scrub, peel, or lift a scab early.
- Sunbathe without reliable SPF 50+; keep the laser 2 weeks clear either side of a holiday like that; sauna or hot bath for 7 days.
- Use retinoids or acids for 10 days.
- Cover the spots with make-up until they have shed.
FAQ
Common questions.
Can you treat my melasma?
Yes, with caution. It is chronic, and pushed too hard it worsens, so I start at the lowest setting and reassess after each session. Expect control, not clearance.
Can I be in the sun between sessions?
Yes, with SPF 50+ every morning and no skipped days. Practices in far sunnier places than this one run these lasers year-round, and with the sunscreen used properly, so do I. If a sunny holiday is coming and the sunscreen will not be reliable, leave two weeks clear either side of it. Sun on unprotected, freshly treated skin undoes the work, and can bring the pigment back darker than it started.