Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, or Laser as it is popularly known, is a powerful machine that has brought great contributions to the medical and dermatological fields. A laser machine is used to treat certain kinds of diseases and disorders. It is commonly used in treating skin conditions, such as pigmentation.
There are different types of lasers used by dermatologists and aesthetic doctors like Dr David Ng Cheow Hua from One Face Skin & Aesthetics Clinic in Singapore. The setting of each type is made differently. Unfortunately, there is no laser machine that can address all kinds of skin disorders in one setting.
This article will share with you important information about lasers and how it can help treat flaws on the skin, specifically pigmentation.
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How do lasers work?
A laser device works by emitting a single wavelength of a high-powered light beam. This energy-charged light can be used to treat and improve various irregularities found on the skin. The light beams released by lasers differ in fluency, operation of pulse, and wavelengths. Lasers also vary when it comes to the colour of light that they produce.
When focused on a pigmentation imperfection, the light that the laser emits gets absorbed by the skin. This will eventually cause the pigments to become heated tremendously, resulting in its breakdown.
Why are there various kinds of lights produced by lasers?
The colour of the light that a laser device releases indicate its wavelength and how well it can deeply penetrate and be absorbed by the skin. There are three kinds of lights used by lasers:
- Green light – Pulsed Dye Laser (510 nm), Q-switched ND:YAG Laser (532 nm)
- Near-infrared – Q-switched ND:YAG Laser (1064 nm)
- Red light – Q-switched Alexandrite Laser (755 nm)
Green light lasers have shorter wavelengths as compared to near-infrared and red light lasers. This means that the light emitted by this type of laser is not able to penetrate through the deep layers of the skin. Near-infrared and red light lasers have longer wavelengths; therefore they can target the depths of the skin.
What do laser “pulses” mean?
A pulse, in laser terms, means a short burst of light. Lasers can emit light beams either in a continuous wave or in shorter, repetitive releases. Pulsed lasers belong to the latter. Depending on need, laser pulses can also be adjusted in the amount of energy that they carry.
What are the types of laser and treatments for pigmentation available in Singapore?
A common misconception among people is that there is just one type of laser for pigmentation treatments. That can’t be further from the truth. In fact, there are a number of different types of lasers used for pigmentation treatments in Singapore. Their names may be different, but the type of laser used for one treatment may as well be the same for another. Here are the types of laser and treatments they are used for:
- Combination Long-pulse Laser
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- Treatment names: Cynergy, Excel V, Fotona Skywalker
- Best for Redness, red spots
- Long-pulse Visible Light
- Treatment names: Dual Yellow, Excel V, Fotona VERDE
- Best for: Brown spots, redness, red spots, tattoo ink
- Pico Lasers
- Treatment names: Discovery PICO, Fotona Starwalker, Picolo
- Best for: Brown spots, tattoo ink
- Q-switch Lasers
- Treatment names: Helios III, Pastelle, Revlite
- Best for: Brown spots
How much is the cost of laser treatment for pigmentation in Singapore?
Laser treatments in Singapore differ between clinics. Below are the estimated price ranges of pigmentation treatments:
- Combination Long-pulse Laser – ranges from $400 to $900
- Long-pulse Visible Light – ranges from $300 to $800
- Pico Lasers – ranges from $200 to $500
- Q-switch Lasers – ranges from $100 to $250
What are the factors that contribute to the cost of laser treatment?
Aside from the doctor’s consultation fees, other factors contribute to the cost of your laser treatment. These include:
- The type of skin condition needing treatment
- The severity of the skin condition
- The type of laser used for the treatment
- The number of sessions needed
- The size of the area needing treatment
Is it safe to combine lasers to treat pigmentation?
Using a combination of lasers for pigmentation may work for some cases. It is best to discuss with your doctor how this could work for your skin condition.
How many times can a laser treatment be done to achieve the best results?
At least 3 sessions of laser treatment can be done to see improvements in your skin condition. The laser treatments should be spaced out at an interval of 2 weeks.
Who can administer a laser treatment?
Lasers are powerful machines and should only be operated by licensed and trained doctors. Likewise, it is important to know whether your chosen treatment provider is using authentic laser devices with the correct settings to treat your skin pigmentation. In the hands of an unskilled person, lasers can do some serious and often irreversable damage, which is why it is so important that you choose to do your research and visit an aesthetic clinic and doctor with extensive experience with using lasers when treating different types of pigmentation issues, like One Face Clinic located at 1 Tras Link, #02-01 Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867.
Remember that getting laser treatments from beauty salons or spas under the hands of an individual not certified to manage a laser device may only bring more harm to your skin.
