We all know freckles can look cute when you are in primary school.
But as we age, our face and skin change, as do our freckles. Freckles can be a sign of sun damaged skin and aging. As our skin matures, freckles become darker and more visible.
Because of this, some people look for ways to get rid of them.
One method that has been gaining popularity is laser freckle removal. But is it effective?
And why do freckles appear in the first place?
Let’s explore some frequently asked questions so you can get better understanding about what this treatment’s all about and how Define Laser can help you…
How do you get Freckles?
Sun exposure causes your skin to age and become damaged. Your skin cells produce extra melanin to protect the skin from sun damage, and therefore freckles tend to appear after exposure to the sun.
They can appear over a large area of skin – face, arms, neck, hands – anywhere on the body.
If you want to minimise your chances of getting freckles, wearing a 50+ SPF daily and a hat when in the sun will prevent freckles, premature ageing of the skin – including wrinkles and fine lines.
Freckle laser removal: How does it work?
Laser freckle removal is a cosmetic procedure that uses a laser to target and break up the pigment in the freckles. The laser destroys the pigment in the freckles, which causes them to fade away.
What treatment can remove freckles?
The Candela Gentle Max Pro – a state of the art laser machine at Define Laser, can help treat superficial brown spots and freckles.
In your free consultation with Dr Watson, he will assess the areas of concern, do a skin check to ensure none of the freckles look suspicious and discuss the treatment process.
Laser Treatment for freckles: What’s the process?
Before your treatment it is recommended you come in half hour early for numbing cream. While discomfort is minimal, this will reduce the pain if any.
Patients describe the feeling like a rubber band being flicked on the skin and after a few minutes your skin becomes used to the sensation.
The air-cooling system used in conjunction with the laser reduces the amount of heat, redness and swelling.
After treatment a cold, hydrating facial mask is applied for 15 minutes and if you are still experiencing any noticeable heat sensation, we will send you home with an ice pack.
Depending on the size of the areas being treated, it generally takes no more than 30 minutes to complete.
Freckle Treatment Recovery
After treatment you will notice your freckles appear darker and the surrounding area will be red and maybe a little swollen.
For about a week or two after treatment, the freckles will continue to get darker and may scab and peel off. The surrounding skin area may also appear dry and flaky.
Dr Watson generally suggests a 4-5 week wait before your next treatment. Results from your first treatment will give an indication of how many more treatments you need. In our experience, it is around 3 sessions to achieve optimal results.
Freckle Laser: Does it last?
Laser treatment for freckles is designed to permanently remove them. Most patients only require one treatment to achieve this, but others may require multiple treatments.
This procedure however, does not prevent you from developing more freckles in the future due to sun damaged skin.
Laser for Freckle Removal: Does it Work?
As you can see, laser treatment is highly effective in removing freckles.
Discomfort is low and it only takes a couple of sessions to see optimal results.
If you think this treatment could be a good option for you, call us today to book a free skin consultation.
