Pigment-targeting laser & IPL

Pigment laser and IPL are different technologies

Lasers use a defined wavelength; IPL delivers filtered broad-spectrum light. Energy absorbed by melanin can target selected benign spots, but normal surrounding pigment may also be affected. Q-switched and picosecond devices deliver energy differently; a pico label alone does not establish superior effectiveness, safety or suitability for every pigment disorder. The actual diagnosis should drive the choice.

Section sources: Health Canada — Cosmetic Laser Treatments · Leeds Teaching Hospitals · Laser treatment: pigment and ablative treatment, preparation and safety

Identify the spot before trying to fade it

Sun spots, post-inflammatory marks, melasma, moles and some skin cancers can look similar to an untrained observer. A new, asymmetric, multicoloured, enlarging, bleeding or changing lesion needs examination. Do not proceed directly to cosmetic laser destruction of an unassessed lesion; dermoscopy or biopsy may be needed. A phone image or questionnaire cannot conclusively establish that a spot is benign.

Section sources: Canadian Dermatology Association · Check your skin · AAD · Fading dark spots in darker skin tones

Melasma: fading is different from a cure

Melasma tends to recur and is influenced by light, hormonal factors and individual characteristics. Laser or IPL may be considered as an adjunct in selected resistant cases, but can worsen darkening or create pale patches, especially in darker skin. Photoprotection and diagnosis-appropriate topical treatment underpin care. A promise to erase pigmentation permanently in one session is incompatible with this condition.

Section sources: British Association of Dermatologists · Melasma: treatment limits and risks · AAD · Melasma: diagnosis and treatment

Preparation and the role of a test area

Review the diagnosis, previous pigment responses to inflammation, tanning, cold sores, medicines and earlier treatment. Ask the clinician to explain experience with your skin tone and the purpose of any test area; a successful test does not eliminate risk. Establish reassessment timing, total cost and a plan for worsening pigmentation. Do not independently stop hormonal or other medicines to change pigmentation.

Section sources: Leeds Teaching Hospitals · Laser treatment: pigment and ablative treatment, preparation and safety · British Association of Dermatologists · Melasma: treatment limits and risks · Health Canada — Cosmetic Laser Treatments

Recovery and products depend on the surface

Some treated spots temporarily darken before fine crusts shed; do not scrub or pick them. An open or blistered surface needs treatment-team instructions. On intact skin when permitted, fragrance-free moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen are reasonable. For melasma, a tinted sunscreen containing iron oxides adds visible-light protection. Restart brighteners, retinoids and acids according to an agreed timeline rather than accelerating exfoliation.

Section sources: North Bristol NHS · Laser treatment for diagnosed age spots · AAD · Melasma self-care and visible-light protection · Leeds Teaching Hospitals · After your laser treatment

How to respond to worsening colour

Report increasing pain, extensive blisters, discharge, fever or spreading redness promptly. New darkening or patchy lightening may be a complication, rather than pigment coming to the surface. Keep onset details and unfiltered photographs for review. An immediate stronger laser or self-added steroids and brighteners can complicate the problem. Severe eye symptoms require urgent assessment.

Section sources: Leeds Teaching Hospitals · After your laser treatment · British Association of Dermatologists · Melasma: treatment limits and risks · NHS — Eye pain

Alternatives and useful questions

Compare photoprotection, control of the inflammation causing marks, supervised pigment treatment, cosmetic camouflage and no procedure. Ask: What is my diagnosis? What evidence applies to this diagnosis and skin tone? How does recurrence affect the decision? When would further treatment be unhelpful? A useful goal is tolerable, measurable pigment improvement, rather than changing natural skin colour or treating all spots with one machine.

Section sources: AAD · Fading dark spots in darker skin tones · AAD · Melasma: diagnosis and treatment · British Association of Dermatologists · Melasma: treatment limits and risks

Frequently asked questions

Related guides to explore

• RF microneedling
• Ablative resurfacing · full-field or fractional
• Nonablative fractional laser
• Vascular laser & light
• Laser hair reduction

Sources and context

Canadian sources take priority for regulatory context. FDA or other foreign information does not establish Canadian authorization for a product or use. A source-check date is distinct from publication date or independent clinical approval.

1. Health Canada — Cosmetic Laser TreatmentsCanadian regulator consumer guidance; older overview · 2026-10-17
2. Leeds Teaching Hospitals · Laser treatment: pigment and ablative treatment, preparation and safetyhospital · 2026-10-17
3. Canadian Dermatology Association · Check your skinsociety · 2026-10-17
4. AAD · Fading dark spots in darker skin tonessociety · 2026-10-17
5. British Association of Dermatologists · Melasma: treatment limits and riskssociety · 2026-10-17
6. AAD · Melasma: diagnosis and treatmentsociety · 2026-10-17
7. North Bristol NHS · Laser treatment for diagnosed age spotshospital · 2026-10-17
8. AAD · Melasma self-care and visible-light protectionsociety · 2026-10-17
9. Leeds Teaching Hospitals · After your laser treatmenthospital · 2026-10-17
10. NHS — Eye painUK urgent eye-symptom guidance; emergency access adapted to Canada · 2026-10-17