What should you know about q switch nd yag laser for pigmentation?

The clinician chooses a wavelength and energy setting based on the pigment's depth, colour, location, and your skin tone. The light is absorbed more strongly by pigment than by surrounding tissue, although nearby skin can still become irritated. Pigment may look darker, temporarily crusted, or lighter before the treated area settles. Some pigmentation has a deeper or hormonal component, so improvement may be partial and recurrence is possible.

Have the area examined before treatment, particularly if a mark is new, changing, bleeding, or unclear. Tell the clinician about recent tanning, active rashes, cold sores, medicines, and previous pigment problems. After treatment, follow the dressing and cleansing instructions, avoid picking or scrubbing, and protect the skin from sunlight with clothing and a clinician-recommended sunscreen. Wait until the skin has healed before using irritating products.

Contact the treating clinic if redness or swelling is worsening rather than easing, blisters spread, pain becomes strong, or the area develops pus, fever, or expanding warmth. Seek prompt assessment for a pigmented spot that changes independently of treatment, because laser should not replace examination of a potentially concerning lesion.

Ask what type of pigmentation is being treated, whether it needs another diagnosis first, which wavelength is planned, how your skin tone affects the settings, and what alternatives are available if pigment returns.