Laser center near Mulhouse in Saint-Louis: treatment of brown/sun spots and aging.
Welcome to the Mulhouse/Saint-Louis Aesthetic Medicine Center, your trusted destination for state-of-the-art medical solutions aimed at eliminating brown/sun spots and reducing the signs of skin aging. As a specialized medical center, Biolaser is passionately dedicated to improving your aesthetic well-being by offering superior quality treatments for the treatment of pigment spots and skin aging.
We understand the concerns related to age spots, solar lentigos and signs of aging, and that is why our highly trained team is committed to offering you personalized and effective solutions. Our holistic approach incorporates a range of advanced techniques and cutting-edge technologies specifically designed to remove dark spots, restore your skin’s health, and provide you with a revitalized appearance with brighter, more even skin.
Located in Saint-Louis, and close to Basel and Mulhouse, the Laser Center is easily accessible for residents of Belfort and Montbéliard, Colmar of Switzerland. where you can benefit from quality expertise and convincing results in the treatment of dark spots/sunspots/aging
The different types of spots/hyperpigmentation
Solar lentigines (age spots)
Sun spots or brown spots commonly appear in people over 30 years of age and affect areas exposed to the sun: face, décolleté, neck, back of the hands, etc. They appear as small, round, flat spots, and are mainly triggered by age, prolonged and regular exposure to the sun or artificial exposure to UV and pollution.
Melasma (chloasma or pregnancy mask)
Melasma (Chloasma or pregnancy mask) is a benign, chronic +/- symmetrical pigmentary disorder affecting mainly women and manifesting itself as brown and irregular spots on the face (forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, upper lip).
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation results from an overproduction of melanin by stimulation of melanocytes following inflammation of the skin. It can occur in cases of inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, acne, etc.), trauma, or after dermatological treatments (microdermabrasion, laser, strong chemical peeling).
Freckles/ephelides
Generally hereditary, they are mainly recognized because they tend to be located on the face. They appear during childhood, especially on fair and red skin and increase in number and coloration under the action of the sun and are more visible in summer than in winter.
Actinic keratosis (AK)
Actinic (or solar) keratosis is the most common precancerous lesion frequently appearing on areas exposed to the sun such as: face, ears, scalp, lower lip (actinic cheilitis). They often appear as small, dry, scaly, or crusty patches of skin that are easier to spot by touch than by sight.
Protocol for the Treatment of Sun Spotss/ Brown Spots/Lentigines in Aesthetic Dermatology at the Mulhouse/Saint-Louis Center
Step 1: Assessment and preparation :
During the first consultation, a medical professional will assess your skin and determine the appropriate treatments based on your specific needs. Skin preparation may be necessary before starting treatments. This can include using topical products to prepare the skin and optimize results.
Step 2: Choice of treatment
Before the appearance of lasers in the therapeutic arsenal of brown spots, doctors most often used liquid nitrogen, or dermabrasion. At the Mulhouse/Saint-Louis laser center we use:
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) with Nordlys : IPL is a technique that uses intense pulses of light to selectively target sunspots and reduce their appearance. An IPL session with the Nordlys system can be performed to treat sunspots. Pulsed light penetrates the skin and targets pigments, causing them to fragment and gradually eliminate.
- Fractional laser: The FRAX 1550 nm is a non-ablative laser treatment that uses microbeams of light to stimulate skin regeneration and reduce sun spots. A session of FRAX 1550 nm can be performed to promote collagen production, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of sun spots
- Q switch pigment laser: Lasers specifically designed to target pigments can be used to treat lentigines. These lasers emit pulses of light that are absorbed by the pigments, causing them to fragment and gradually eliminate. The pigment laser may require several sessions to obtain the best results.
- Depigmenting peels: the chemical peel uses specific solutions to exfoliate the superficial layers of the skin and reduce pigmentation spots. The choice of peel will depend on the evaluation of your skin and the recommendations of the medical professional.
Step 3: Post-treatment care
After each treatment session at the Mulhouse/Saint-Louis laser center, appropriate post-treatment care will be recommended by your healthcare professional. This can include applying soothing creams, moisturizers, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect the skin and optimize results.
Step 4: Follow-up sessions
- Depending on the assessment of your skin and the response to the treatments, follow-up sessions will be recommended. The number of sessions needed may vary depending on the severity of the sunspots and your treatment goals.
- The different techniques can also be combined with each other.
- It is important to note that this protocol is a general suggestion and that specific treatments and intervals between sessions may vary depending on your individual needs. It is essential to consult a qualified healthcare professional to assess your skin and determine the most suitable treatment protocol for you.
- Remember to follow your healthcare professional’s instructions and recommendations regarding pre- and post-treatment care, as well as the use of topicals and adequate sun protection to maintain treatment results and prevent further sun damage.
Procedure of a session (IPL NORDLYSTM) at the laser center in Mulhouse/Saint-Louis
The NordlysTM system treats skin that has been altered by the sun, and restores a clearer, clearer appearance to the complexion. The device emits energy directly targeted at the vessels or melanin present in your skin, leaving the surrounding skin intact. Potentially unwanted wavelengths are ruled out with our proprietary dual spectrum filter technology. The useful wavelengths are absorbed by the hemoglobin in your blood vessels (only the vessels targeted) and the melanin present in your dark spots or pigmented lesions.
- Before your treatment with the NordlysTM system, you will meet with your doctor to discuss your therapeutic and aesthetic expectations. The pulsed light used is completely safe, no special precautions are needed. However, it is important to avoid any sun exposure during the 4 weeks before your treatment (sun, solarium or self-tanning products)
- A session can last about 20 minutes, depending on the area of the face or body you want to treat. You will notice an improvement from the first session, however you may need to do several sessions to obtain the desired final result (on average between 2 and 4 sessions). Each session is spaced 4 weeks apart to give the skin time to renew itself.
- The number of sessions at the Mulhouse/Saint-Louis laser center depends on the location and the area to be treated. Treatments are most effective in patients with light, untanned skin at the time of treatment. Pre-programmed settings for each skin type ensure that energy is delivered in the right way for you.
- After the treatment, you may be recommended to apply a cloth soaked in cold water to the face or to use an ointment prescribed by the center’s doctor. You will also need to avoid sun exposure for 4 weeks even if there are no signs of inflammation on the treated area.
- Immediately after the treatment, the skin is slightly red and the spots may appear darker. There may be a feeling of sunburn with transient edema (swelling). Thin scabs will appear the day after the session and will disappear in about 10 days.
- You may notice a slight peeling on certain parts of the skin or a darkening of certain pigment spots for a few days after the treatment. After that, you will find that your skin is clearer and your complexion fresher.
- Annual or biannual maintenance sessions can be offered or alternated with other techniques.
IS IPL TREATMENT PAINFUL?
No anesthetic is needed, and many patients describe the treatment as virtually painless. A sensation similar to a snapping of a rubber band followed by a sensation of gentle warmth comparable to that felt after a day at the beach can be observed after the session.
Photomechanical lasers
These are the “QSwitched” lasers (NdYag type). Their light energy will be captured specifically by melanin (brown pigment) in the skin, without burning or abrasion of the superficial skin layer. The pigments are destroyed or fragmented by the energy delivered. From then on, they can be eliminated by the skin’s repair cells (macrophage cells that rid the tissues of foreign bodies), giving way to clearer skin.
The latter types of lasers are also commonly used today to remove tattoos (or permanent make-up). The Biolaser center is equipped with this type of laser.
Peels and dark spots
Chemical peels are an effective approach to treating dark spots, and they can be categorized into different types, including TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels and acid peels.
Acid peels, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid peels, are often used for lighter dark spots and to improve the overall texture of the skin. These chemical peels exfoliate the top layer of the skin, removing pigmented cells on the surface. They are generally better tolerated and require less recovery time than TCA peels. However, several sessions may be necessary to achieve the desired results.
TCA peels are particularly suitable for the treatment of deeper, severe dark spots. Trichloroacetic acid penetrates deeper into the skin than some other acids used in chemical peels. It removes layers of pigmented cells from the skin, effectively fading dark spots and revealing clearer skin. TCA peels may require a slightly longer recovery period than other types of peels, as the skin may peel more significantly. However, they can give excellent results for stubborn dark spots.
Regardless of the type of chemical peel you choose, it is essential to consult with a qualified medical professional to assess your individual needs, determine the severity of your dark spots, and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Chemical peels can be an effective solution to reduce the appearance of dark spots and achieve brighter, more even skin.
CAN YOU TREAT DARK SPOTS WITH COSMETIC CREAMS?
Yes, it is possible to treat dark spots, including age spots and sun lentigines, using cosmetic creams specifically formulated to reduce the appearance of these dark spots. These creams are often referred to as “lightening” or “depigmenting” and are available over the counter or with a doctor’s prescription, depending on their concentration of active ingredients.
Cosmetic lightening creams usually contain active ingredients such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin C, or plant extracts. These ingredients can help reduce excessive skin pigmentation by inhibiting the production of melanin, which is responsible for skin color.
However, it is important to note that cosmetic creams are not suitable for all types of dark spots, and their effectiveness can vary depending on the underlying cause of the spots. In addition, they usually require regular and prolonged use before significant results appear, which can take several weeks or even months.
For darker or deeper dark spots, including age spots and solar lentigines, as well as for faster and more effective treatment, it may be necessary to consult a dermatologist or a qualified health professional. They may recommend medical treatments such as laser, cryotherapy, or microdermabrasion, which are more powerful than cosmetic creams and can provide faster and longer-lasting results. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment approach based on your specific needs.
A high SPF sun protection is highly recommended to prevent the appearance of other dark spots. SPF 50 is not total protection, so it is possible to tan. On the other hand, it reduces the dose of UVB received by the skin by 50 times.
