When is picosecond laser treatment recommended for hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation means that an area of skin looks darker than the surrounding skin. It can follow acne, irritation, injury, inflammation, hormonal changes, sun exposure, or some medicines. A picosecond laser targets pigment with very short pulses, but treating the colour without addressing its trigger can lead to recurrence or irritation.

The clinician will consider whether pigment is near the surface or deeper, whether the skin is active or inflamed, and your natural skin tone. Temporary redness, swelling, darkening, lightening, or a flare of pigmentation are possible, so a staged plan may be preferable.

Ask for an assessment of the pigmentation’s pattern and likely cause before booking treatment. Tell the clinician about acne, eczema, recent procedures, pregnancy, tanning, keloid scars, cold sores, and medicines or skincare products that may affect healing.

Discuss sun protection and treatment of the underlying trigger, such as ongoing inflammation, before laser energy. Ask whether a test area is appropriate, which aftercare products to use, and how progress will be judged without irritating the skin.

Seek medical review for new, rapidly changing, one-sided, bleeding, painful, or very irregular darkening, or for pigment that appears with other symptoms. After treatment, report worsening swelling, blistering, increasing pain, drainage, or darkening that continues to spread.

What is the likely cause and depth of this hyperpigmentation? Could another treatment address the trigger first? How will my skin tone affect the plan, what changes should I expect, and what signs would mean treatment should pause?