532nm Laser – vascular and pigmentation treatment

The laser treats pigmentation with the 532 nm KTP wavelength.

The energy from this light is selectively absorbed by the melanin that causes pigmentation. This causes a photo-thermal injury to the melanin, and this leads to its disruption and subsequent removal by the body’s immune system. It generally takes 1 to 3 treatments to lighten or remove unwanted pigmentation with the 532nm laser. With most laser pigmentation removal, the pigmentation becomes darker for approximately one week and then flakes off. The treatments are spaced at least 1 month apart. There is also usually some redness and mild swelling in the treatment areas for a few days after treatment.

The laser’s 532nm wavelength does not penetrate very deeply, and therefore pigmentation that is too deep for the laser may not be treatable – for example, melasma, a type of pigmentation caused by the pill or pregnancy, is difficult to treat as it spans many layers of the skin. In some cases it may be appropriate to use the other lasers available at The Victorian Cosmetic Institute to remove pigment.