How effective is picosecond laser treatment for sun spots?

Sun spots are areas of increased pigment linked with ultraviolet exposure. A picosecond laser delivers very short energy pulses that can fragment selected pigment for the body to clear. Colour may fade gradually, and some spots need more than one treatment. New spots can develop when sun exposure continues. The appearance of a sun spot can overlap with other pigmented lesions, so a clinician should examine it before laser treatment.

Arrange a skin examination and mention any change in size, outline, colour, sensation, or bleeding. Discuss your skin tone, tanning, tendency to scar, medicines, and previous reactions to procedures. Follow the clinic's preparation instructions and use broad ultraviolet protection after treatment. Do not scratch flakes or crusts while the area heals. Review the result after healing, when temporary redness or darkening has settled.

Get medical review before cosmetic treatment if a spot is new, rapidly changing, asymmetrical, irregular at the edge, uneven in colour, persistently itchy, painful, or bleeding. After treatment, contact the clinician for worsening pain, pus, spreading redness, blistering, or delayed healing. A changing lesion should not be repeatedly lasered without diagnosis.

Are these spots suitable for cosmetic laser treatment? Do any need dermoscopic assessment or sampling first? What degree of fading is realistic? How could my skin tone or tanning affect the plan? What signs should make me return sooner?