Brown spots, also known as hyperpigmentation, typically appear as areas of skin that are darker than your usual tone. These spots may be light brown, brown or black. The formation of brown spots can be attributed to an overproduction of melanin, a pigment contained within the dermal structure.
Hyperpigmentation can take different forms and develop for various reasons. The most common types you’ll see on your skin are:
- Age spots – can appear as small darkened areas on any part of the body that is exposed to the sun frequently, like the backs of the hands, arms, shoulders, chest, back and face
- Injury-related hyperpigmentation – most common with acne-related conditions, this type of pigmentation usually occurs in places where the skin has healed, leaving a darkened spot or patch
- Melasma – appears on the face and arms as large, dark, irregular-shaped areas that often develop during pregnancy due to hormonal changes
The Vein Care Center uses state-of-the-art technology in all our vein and cosmetic treatments. While there are many ways to treat brown pigment spots, not all produce the same results regarding efficacy and safety. Dr. Manu Aggarwal is excited to offer our Vein Care Center patients the Excel V laser system for eliminating pigmentation concerns.
The Excel V Laser System Treatment
The Excel V is an advanced laser treatment that uses wavelengths of light on areas of the skin that develop brown pigmentation. The skin pigment naturally absorbs the light, causing these cells to dry up and flake away while leaving surrounding skin tissue unharmed.
Wavelength settings for the Excel V can be adjusted to suit different skin tones, providing a versatile treatment that works for most of our patients. This procedure treats the following types of pigmentation irregularities:
- Freckles
- Age spots
- Moles
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Hypopigmentation, which are spots that are lighter than your usual skin tone
- Melasma
The Excel V can treat any area of the body. Most of our patients will need two to six treatments to produce the desired outcome. The number of sessions necessary will depend on the type of pigmentation, the size of the area and the color of the spots. Dr. Aggarwal will advise you on how many treatments you should plan for at your initial consultation.
What’s Involved with the Excel V Procedure?
Excel V laser treatment is a noninvasive treatment, so no anesthesia is needed. A test area of skin will be treated first to see how your skin responds to the laser. To start the procedure, the Excel V device uses a CoolGlide surface that cools the skin. This technology creates greater comfort for the patient during treatment and protects the surrounding skin tissue from damage.
The laser energy is applied directly into the pigmentation using a device that resembles a pen. Since the laser doesn’t penetrate past the surface layer of the skin, the underlying tissues remain unharmed. You may feel a slight snap or flick on the skin as the energy is delivered. The device can also be adjusted for different spot sizes which allows for more precision. Upon completing the treatment, ice packs may be applied to help minimize any post-procedure inflammation or redness.
The procedure typically takes up to about 15 minutes to complete. Immediately after an Excel V laser treatment, the treated areas will look darker than before. Within a few days, a crust will form. In seven to 10 days, the dead skin cells will flake off revealing fresh new skin that matches your natural tone.
Benefits of Excel V System Compared with Other Treatment Options
Settings on the Excel V device offers unprecedented precision through adjustments that enable your doctor to apply the level of intensity that best matches your specific skin condition. The device delivers short pulses of light that work exceptionally well at treating brown blemishes as well as any lesions or scarring in the area. The ability to adjust the size of the laser beam allows for accurate targeting of even small treatment areas and shorter treatment times for larger areas. The Excel V can treat many different pigmentation issues in one session, which is also something other systems can’t always do.
Things to Consider Before & After Getting Excel V Treatments
Before Your Procedure
There are some preparation steps you can take before your Excel V treatment to make the process as safe and successful as possible. First, avoid sun exposure or tanning booths, since tanning may interfere with the laser’s ability to work on brown pigment spots. Second, avoid medications that might interfere with the treatment. Dr. Aggarwal will want to know what substances you are currently taking at your initial consultation, so she can proceed appropriately in ensuring your safety during and after your procedure. Some of the medicines to avoid before this treatment might include:
- Retinol – found in some skin products that can increase skin sensitivity
- Accutane – acne medication that can also produce skin sensitivity
- Blood thinners – may increase your risk for bruising after treatment
After Your Treatment
The effects of the laser on the skin may cause mild swelling, redness or burning. Ice packs or a cold compress work well at reducing any mild discomfort you might experience after laser procedures. Since the surface will be sensitive for the next few days, treat the skin gently to avoid irritation.
Keeping the skin moist helps with the healing process, so use moisturizer regularly after your session. Avoid saunas, hot tubs or any activity that causes excessive sweating, as this can also lead to skin irritation. It is especially important to wear sunscreen whenever you’re out in the sun since the skin will be more vulnerable to burning in the days following your procedure.
Schedule a Consultation Appointment Today
The Vein Care Center services Lima and Celina, OH, as all surrounding areas within Auglaize County. Our director, Dr. Aggarwal has a long track record of delivering quality results in a compassionate and caring manner. She makes it a point to address each patient as an individual and treats each case based on the specifics of the problems expressed. This type of individualized treatment approach helps ensure our patients receive the treatments that deliver the level of results they expect.
For more information on the Excel V laser treatment or to ask about other available treatment options, contact the Vein Care Center today at 419-227-4472 to set up your consultation.
