BENIGN PIGMENTED LESION ALBUQUERQUE NM
BENIGN PIGMENTED LESION LASERALBUQUERQUE NM
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BENIGN PIGMENTED LESION
WHAT IS A BENIGN PIGMENTED LESION?
Pigmented lesions often involve melanin (brown pigment), resulting in small or large areas of the skin appearing brown, black, or even blue. Although most often benign (harmless), pigmented lesions can also be malignant (cancerous) in some cases.
Benign pigmented lesions can take several different forms, including:
FRECKLES
Freckles are minor flat brown marks arising on the face and other sun-exposed areas. They are most often seen in fair-skinned people, but they are an inherited characteristic that sometimes affects darker skin types. As the person ages, this type of freckle generally becomes more noticeable. It can be lightened by avoiding sun exposure and with the regular use of sunblocks and whitening creams.
They can be safely removed by intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) or pigment laser therapy. We do not offer laser therapy or IPL at present. Still, we can suggest an experienced cosmetic dermatologist/ surgeon who would help you if the above methods are ineffective.
LENTIGINES
More prominent flat brown spots on the face and hands in middle age also result from sun damage exposure. Commonly known as age spots or liver spots, the correct term for a single lesion is solar lentigo (plural lentigines). Lentigines are due to the localized proliferation of melanocytes. It is essential to distinguish the harmless solar lentigo, which does not turn cancerous, from an early malignant melanoma (skin cancer).
Similarly, they can be lightened by avoiding sun exposure and with the regular use of sunblocks and whitening creams. They can also be safely removed by intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) or pigment laser therapy. We do not offer laser therapy or IPL at present. Still, we can suggest an experienced cosmetic dermatologist/surgeon who would help you if the above methods are ineffective.
MELASMA
It appears as a light or dark brown skin discoloration. Melasma can affect anyone, although it is more common in women.
POST-INFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION
More common in darker-skinned people, resulting from an injury that stimulates increased melanin production.
SEBORRHOEIC KERATOSES
Seborrhoeic keratosis is superficial skin overgrowth that is brown and slightly raised.Seborrhoeic keratosis is due to aging and sun exposure.Seborrhoeic keratosis can be seen on the face as well as the sun-exposed areas as the limbs. They do not transform into skin cancer. Treatment includes liquid nitrogen and electrocautery.
SKIN TAGS
Skin tags are skin-colored or brown growths that commonly occur on the neck, underarms, and face. They are harmless and do not transform into skin cancer.Skin tags are easily removed by snip-excision and electrocautery.
MOLES
Moles are due to abnormal collections of pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin. They occur in childhood, adolescents, and early adulthood. Most moles are dark and pigmented. Moles are small, flat, and pigmented when they appear but with aging, they become raised, dome-shaped, and often appear lighter. Moles that develop irregular borders, bleeding, or sudden increase in size cause concern, and a dermatologist should be consulted early.
Small flat moles can be treated with a laser, while bigger ones should be excised.
SANDIA SKIN + FACE
BENIGN PIGMENTED LESION LASER TREATMENT
Brown spots on the face, chest, hands, and arms are a common sign of aging.Our Gentle Max Pro Laser treats flat benign pigmented lesions quickly and effectively on lighter skin types in 2-3 sessions spaced four weeks apart. We recommend using sunscreen before and after treatment. See our Mole Removal page or CO2 laser page for treatment options if you have elevated brown spots.
The acronym LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. At their core, lasers use electromagnetic radiation to excite electrons, causing the electrons to emit photons during the return from their excited state back to a resting state. The energy produced in the form of light travels along a wavelength. Wavelengths that fall within the visible spectrum lie between 400 and 700 nanometers, but various lasers travel on wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum that live outside of the visible spectrum.
Benign Pigmented Lesion Laser Treatment of benign & pigmented lesions works by destroying the pigment in the skin without excision. This process is completed in three simple steps:
- Step 1: Light Absorption: The laser produces short nanosecond pulses of intense light that pass harmlessly through the top layers of the skin to be selectively absorbed by the melanin pigment in the lesion.
- Step 2: Pigment Break-Up: The laser light is transformed into photoacoustic waves which mechanically break up the melanin pigment into smaller particles.
- Step 3: Pigment Removal: These particles are then removed by the body’s own immune system, as the skin’s macro-phages clear the excess pigment from the area.
See our FAQ below. Contact Us with any other questions.
BENIGN PIGMENTED LESION LASER TREATMENT
BEFORE-AFTER IMAGES
BENIGN PIGMENTED LESION LASER TREATMENT
FAQ
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
BENIGN PIGMENTED LESION LASER TREATMENT
PROCEDURE PREP
Before your treatment session, our physician will discuss what to expect during your treatment. However, it is helpful to remember that there are a few things to take into consideration before your session:
- At least three to four days before your procedure, discontinue anti-inflammatory medications.
- One to two weeks before your procedure, discontinue any blood-thinning herbs, supplements, or vitamins.
- One to two weeks before your procedure, discontinue systematic steroids
- At least one month before your procedure, stop steroid injections
- On the day of your procedure, eat a full, healthy breakfast and be sure to drink plenty of water
- Please be advised that if you take chronic oral steroids, a discontinuation plan will need to be discussed with your primary care provider as abrupt stoppage may cause side effects.
BENIGN PIGMENTED LESION LASER TREATMENT
AFTERCARE
After your treatment session, we recommend that all patients rest on the day of their procedure. We advise limited use of the treatment area for the next two days, but the movement is encouraged. Limited use helps the joint recover as the treatment is absorbed by the area’s surrounding tissues.
0 – 3 days post-procedure guidelines
- After your treatment, there is a chance you’ll experience some mild to moderate pain or discomfort at the treatment site. Discomfort is normal, and it is a sign that your body is healing as it adjusts to the treatment.
- It is best to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water to help promote healing.
- You mustn’t take ANY medications following your procedure unless specifically directed otherwise by a physician. NO medicine is a must because any drug can affect the healing process or other adverse effects.
Therefore, discontinue use of any of these medications post-procedure for best results:
- Anti-inflammatory medications for at least two weeks post-procedure
- Blood-thinning herbs, supplements, or vitamins for 3-4 days post-procedure
- Systematic steroids for two weeks post-procedure
- Other important guidelines to follow after your procedure are:
- Avoid applying ice or heat to the injection site for the first 72 hours post-procedure
- Don’t take a hot bath or go to a sauna for the first few days post-procedure
- Avoid consumption of any alcoholic beverages for the first week post-procedure
- Avoid showering for the first 24 hours following your procedure
- Limit caffeine consumption for the first week post-procedure
- Avoid smoking
3 – 14 days post-procedure guidelines
- At this point in your healing, you should gradually increase your daily activities.
- 3 to 14 days is also when you can begin exercises. Proper exercise is a vital part of long-term results, and we can help you determine which exercises are best suited for your needs before your procedure.
- Ice can be applied 3-4 times a day for 15-20 minutes as needed for comfort
- Anti-inflammatory medications (such as Tylenol) can be taken to help manage any residual pain at this time, take as directed
- Continue to avoid alcoholic beverages, smoking, or excessive amounts of caffeine
3 – 4 weeks post-procedure guidelines
- We highly encourage you to begin physical therapy to aid in your long-term healing and continued recovery at this point in your healing.
- A follow-up appointment will be made for you to meet with our physician to review your healing process. You must keep this follow-up visit even if your recovery is going well.
- If there are any adjustments to your customized treatment plan, this is when our physician will be able to make those decisions.
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SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT
Registered Nurse Practitioner Tonya Tuggle is Albuquerque’s choice for those who want to keep their youthful appearance and healthy glow. Tonya is passionate about educating patients on preventative skin care and providing non-surgical maintenance for graceful aging. We can’t wait to meet you!