Hello!
In the past, the Q-Switched lasers were
commonly used for treatment of pigmentation and dark spots that have developed
due to sun damage.
The Q-Switched laser uses selective
photothermolysis, delivering energy to skin pigments to break it down. The body
then clears the shattered pigmentation rapidly after treatment. However, heat
production to the surrounding skin tissue during laser treatment can
potentially damage the skin, leading to side effects and downtime.
Laser technology has improved over recent
years. Newer lasers like PicoSure can lighten pigmentation through higher,
faster energy pulses with minimal chance of side effects and with minimal or zero
downtime.
The PicoSure laser is widely considered as
the gold standard for treatment of facial pigmentation like sun spots, acne scars,
and removal of tattoos. As Picosure is a picosecond laser, it delivers strong
pulses of energy to the skin in picoseconds (trillionths of a second) compared
to Q-Switched lasers which deliver the energy pulses in nanoseconds (billionth
of a second). This means that PicoSure delivers intense energy to the skin to
reduce pigmentation effectively. This intense energy is delivered in a shorter
period of time leading to less heat production, resulting in a safer treatment.
If there is a choice between the two, I would
recommend the PicoSure laser over the Q-Switched laser as the preferred
treatment modality for skin pigmentation. Nonetheless, the choice remains yours
and you should consult a doctor who can determine which laser is most
appropriate for your skin. Hope the above helps!
Cheers,
Dr. Terence Tan, Halley Medical Aesthetics