Basel/Saint-Louis laser center: your expert in brown/sun and age spot treatment
Welcome to the Basel/Saint-Louis Laser Center, your trusted destination for advanced medical solutions aimed at eliminating dark/sun spots and reducing signs of skin aging. As a specialized medical center, Biolaser is passionately dedicated to enhancing your aesthetic well-being by providing top-quality treatments for pigmentation issues and skin aging.
We understand the concerns related to age spots, sunspots, and signs of aging, which is why our highly qualified 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 eliminate pigmentation spots, restore the health of your skin, and provide you with a rejuvenated appearance featuring brighter and more even-toned skin.
Located in Saint-Louis, near Basel, the Laser Center is easily accessible to residents from Bern and Zurich in Switzerland. Here, you can benefit from high-quality expertise and proven results in the treatment of brown/sun/age spots.
The different types of spots/hyperpigmentation
Sun spots (age spots)
Sun spots or brown spots usually appear on people over the age of 30 and affect areas exposed to the sun: face, décolleté, neck, back of hands, etc. They take the form of small, round, flat spots, and are mainly triggered by age, prolonged and regular exposure to the sun or artificial UV exposure and pollution.
Melasma (chloasma or pregnancy mask)
Melasma (Chloasma or pregnancy mask) is a benign, chronic +/- symmetrical pigmentation disorder mainly affecting women and manifesting itself as brown, irregular spots on the face (forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, upper lip).
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation results from overproduction of melanin by stimulation of melanocytes following inflammation of the skin. It can occur in the case of inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, acne, etc.), trauma, or after dermatological treatments (microdermabrasion, laser, strong chemical peels).
Freckles/ephelides
Generally hereditary, they are best recognised by their tendency to appear on the face. They appear during childhood, particularly on fair and reddish skins, and increase in number and colour under the action of the sun, being more visible in summer than in winter.
Actinic keratosis (AK)
Actinic (or solar) keratosis is the most common precancerous lesion, frequently appearing on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, scalp and lower lip (actinic keratosis) and often appearing as small patches of dry, scaly or crusted skin that are easier to spot by touch than by sight.
PROTOCOL FOR THE TREATMENT OF SUN SPOTS/BROWN SPOTS/LENTIGOS IN AESTHETIC DERMATOLOGY AT THE BASEL/SAINT-LOUIS CENTER
Step 1: Assessment and preparation :
During the initial consultation, a healthcare professional will assess your skin and determine the appropriate treatments based on your specific needs. Skin preparation may be necessary before starting treatments. This may include the use of topical products to prepare the skin and optimise results.
Étape 2 : Choix du traitement
Before the advent of lasers in the therapeutic arsenal for brown spots, doctors most often used liquid nitrogen or dermabrasion.
- 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. The pulsed light penetrates the skin and targets the pigments, causing them to fragment and gradually disappear.
- Fractional laser: FRAX 1550 nm is a non-ablative laser treatment that uses micro-beams 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.
- Pigment laser Q switch : Lasers specifically designed to target pigment can be used to treat lentigos. These lasers emit pulses of light that are absorbed by the pigments, causing them to fragment and gradually disappear. Pigment lasers may require several sessions to achieve the best results.
- Depigmenting peels : chemical peels use specific solutions to exfoliate the superficial layers of the skin and reduce pigmentation spots. The choice of peel will depend on your skin assessment and the health professional’s recommendations.
Step 3: Post-treatment care
After each treatment session, appropriate post-treatment care will be recommended by your healthcare professional. This may include the application of soothing creams, moisturisers and a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect the skin and optimise results.
Step 4: Follow-up sessions at the basel/saint-louis center
- Depending on your skin’s assessment and response to treatment, follow-up sessions will be recommended. The number of sessions required may vary depending on the severity of the sun spots and your treatment goals.
- The different techniques can also be combined.
- It is important to note that this protocol is a general suggestion and that specific treatments and intervals between sessions may vary according to your individual needs. It is essential to consult a qualified healthcare professional to assess your skin and determine the treatment protocol best suited to you.
- Remember to follow your healthcare professional’s instructions and recommendations regarding pre- and post-treatment care, as well as the use of topical products and adequate sun protection to maintain treatment results and prevent further sun damage.
SESSION PROCEDURE (IPL NORDLYS) AT THE BASEL/SAINT-LOUIS LASER CENTER
The Nordlys system treats sun-damaged skin, restoring a clearer, brighter complexion. The device emits energy directly targeted at the vessels or melanin in your skin, leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. Potentially unwanted wavelengths are filtered out thanks to our exclusive dual-spectrum filter technology. The useful wavelengths are absorbed by the haemoglobin in your blood vessels (only the targeted vessels) and the melanin in your brown spots or pigmented lesions.
- Prior to your treatment with the Nordlys 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 necessary. However, it is important to avoid exposure to the sun for 4 weeks prior to your treatment (sun, solarium or self-tanning products).
- A session can last around 20 minutes, depending on the area of the face or body you wish to treat. You will notice an improvement after the first session, but you may need 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 depends on the location and area to be treated. Treatments are most effective on patients with fair, untanned skin at the time of treatment. Pre-programmed parameters for each skin type ensure that the energy emitted is adapted to your specific case.
- After treatment, you may be advised to apply a cloth soaked in cold water to your face or to use an ointment prescribed by the centre’s doctor. You should also avoid exposure to the sun for 4 weeks, even if there are no signs of inflammation in the treated area.
- Immediately after treatment, the skin will be slightly red and the spots may appear darker. There may be a sensation of sunburn with transient oedema (swelling). Fine scabs will appear the day after the treatment and will disappear in about 10 days.
- You may notice slight scaling on certain parts of the skin or a darkening of certain pigmentation spots for a few days after the treatment. Afterwards, you will notice that your skin is clearer and your complexion fresher.
No anaesthetic is required and many patients describe the treatment as virtually painless. A sensation similar to the snap 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.
These are the “QSwitched” lasers (NdYag type). Their light energy is specifically captured by the melanin (brown pigment) in the skin, without burning or abrading the surface skin layer. The pigments are destroyed or fragmented by the energy delivered. They can then be eliminated by the skin’s own repair cells (macrophage cells that rid the tissue of foreign bodies), leaving behind clearer skin.
The latter types of laser are now also commonly used to remove tattoos (or permanent make-up). The Biolaser centre is equipped with this type of laser.
Chemical peels are an effective approach for treating brown spots and 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 brown spots and to improve overall skin texture. These chemical peels exfoliate the top layer of the skin, thereby removing pigmented cells on the surface. They are generally better tolerated and require less downtime than TCA peels. However, multiple sessions may be needed to achieve the desired results.
TCA peels are particularly suitable for treating deeper and more severe brown spots. Trichloroacetic Acid penetrates deeper into the skin than some other acids used in chemical peels. It removes layers of pigmented skin cells, effectively reducing brown 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 deliver excellent results for stubborn brown spots.
Regardless of the type of chemical peel chosen, it is essential to consult a qualified healthcare professional to assess your individual needs, determine the severity of your brown spots, and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Chemical peels can be an effective solution for reducing the appearance of brown spots and achieving brighter and more uniform skin.
Yes, it is possible to treat brown spots, including age spots and solar lentigines, using cosmetic creams specifically formulated to reduce the appearance of these pigmented spots. These creams are often referred to as “lightening” or “depigmenting” creams and are available over-the-counter or by prescription, depending on their concentration of active ingredients.
Cosmetic lightening creams typically 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’s important to note that cosmetic creams may not be suitable for all types of brown spots, and their effectiveness can vary depending on the underlying cause of the spots. Additionally, they generally require regular and prolonged use before significant results become evident, which may take several weeks or even months.
For more stubborn or deeper brown spots, including age spots and solar lentigines, as well as for quicker and more effective treatment, it may be necessary to consult a dermatologist or qualified healthcare professional. They can recommend medical treatments such as laser therapy, cryotherapy, or microdermabrasion, which are more potent than cosmetic creams and can provide faster and longer-lasting results. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment approach based on your specific needs.
Highly recommended is the use of high SPF sunscreen to prevent the development of additional brown spots. SPF 50 is not total protection, so it is still possible to tan. However, it reduces the amount of UVB radiation received by the skin by a factor of 50.
