Laser pigmentation removal has gained popularity as many individuals seek to clear their skin of pigmentation, characterized by dark spots, a prevalent skin concern. These spots most often appear in sunny regions, such as our gorgeous Madeira Island, where the sun is vibrant nearly year-round. Using the modern Clarity II laser machine, our Madeira Beauty team offers high-performance pigmentation treatments. We’ll explain the laser treatment process in detail, including recovery and expected outcomes.
What Is Skin Pigmentation?
Pigmentation is the alteration in skin color due to the uneven or excessive distribution of melanin, the pigment responsible for determining our skin’s color. These changes include visible signs like brown spots, freckles, or hyperpigmented areas. Awareness of causes like sun damage or hormonal shifts helps you treat and prevent pigmentation better.
Types of Skin Pigmentation:
1. Age Spots (Lentigines)
As we age, prolonged sun exposure and hormonal changes primarily cause the appearance of dark, flat spots. Many people have them in areas exposed often to the sun, such as hands, face, and shoulders.
2. Sun Spots
UV radiation causes pigmentation. These spots typically appear on sun-exposed skin and can increase in number and size over time. They are often deeper in color or more noticeable than typical freckles.
3. Melasma
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that often appears as brown or gray-brown spots on the skin. It most commonly appears on the face – for example, the forehead, cheeks, nose, and upper lip – and is often caused by hormonal imbalances and sun damage.
4. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Dark areas or marks stay on the face after acne, injuries, or inflammation. These marks usually go away on their own, but they can stay there if you don’t treat them right.
5. Freckles
Small, flat spots are mostly inherited or caused by sun exposure. Lighter skin types often get them, and they tend to get darker and stand out more when exposed to UV light. Most of the time, they appear and disappear without any assistance.
What Causes Skin Pigmentation?
1. Aging
As we age, our skin’s ability to regenerate slows down. Changing hormones can also cause uneven coloring, age spots, and other skin discolorations over time.
2. UV Exposure
The sun is the main cause of coloring. Overproduction of melanin is caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays, especially in places that get a lot of sun. This extra melanin leads to dark spots, freckles, and unexpected patches, so protecting your skin from the sun is crucial to prevent pigmentation.
3. Medications
Some medicines make skin more sensitive to sunshine, which raises the risk of pigmentation. Certain antibiotics, hormone treatments, and drugs for some long-term diseases are in this group. If you’re on this medicine, follow your doctor’s orders and avoid the sun.
4. Hormonal Fluctuations
During pregnancy, menopause, or health problems like thyroid disease, changes in hormones can cause cells to generate more melanin, which can cause melasma and spotty pigmentation.
5. Genetics
Certain family patterns can lead to pigmentation issues developing or becoming more noticeable with age. Family history may even play a role in how and where pigmentation appears on the skin.
Ways to Treat Skin Pigmentation
Aesthetic treatments like chemical face peels can reduce light pigmentation and improve skin texture. However, they often fall short when it comes to treating deeper or more stubborn spots.
Home care and topical creams play a vital role in prevention. Unfortunately, they rarely provide visible lightning effects for existing pigmentation, especially in more severe cases.
IPL therapy and other advanced technologies are quite effective. Usually, a course of 2 to 3 sessions is enough to noticeably improve skin tone and reduce pigmentation. Often it is less efficient than laser sessions and requires more treatment.
Laser treatments on ND:YAG, Alexandrite, and PicoSure lasers stand out for their high precision and proven effectiveness. Clinic lasers safely and quickly deliver dramatic results, allowing for significant improvement in a short timeframe, making them the most reliable method for effectively removing pigmentation. Additionally, you will notice body laser skin tightening.
How Laser Pigmentation Removal Works at Madeira Beauty
At Madeira Beauty, we specialize in non-invasive facial and body treatments using the cutting-edge technology of the Clarity II™ dermalaser machine. Our approach ensures safe, effective, and gentle skin rejuvenation. The laser has two different wavelengths: ND:YAG 1064 nm, which is ideal for deep pigmentation, and Alexandrite 755 nm, which is mostly used for surface-level spots.
The laser emits light that is absorbed only by the melanin (color) in pigmented areas, breaking it into tiny fragments without damaging the surrounding skin tissue. This gentle approach minimizes the risk of skin burning, making the treatment safe for all skin types.
The laser treatment also helps your skin heal naturally. It encourages your skin cells to make more collagen and speeds up the skin’s healing process. This makes your skin look smoother and more even. The treatment takes approximately 15–30 minutes and is comfortable, with no need for anesthesia or extended downtime – you can go back to your daily activities immediately.
What Happens During and After the Treatment?
During the Treatment
Some lighter pigmented spots may fade or disappear immediately during laser pigmentation removal session. However, more stubborn or deeper pigmentation often responds that way: the spots become darker temporarily right after treatment. This darkening is a positive indication that the laser is effectively breaking down the dark spots before they gradually fade away.
Your skin may feel warm and look slightly pink, with mild swelling that typically lasts up to a few hours. The treated spots might remain darker for several days, as the skin begins to break down and expel the pigment.
The Skin’s Regeneration Process
In the next 7–10 days, the pigmented dark spots start to flake or peel off gradually. During this period, your skin will gradually become clearer and more even. The skin’s regeneration is supported by the laser’s stimulation of collagen production, which helps restore skin elasticity and smoothness.
Results & Outcomes
Most clients notice visible skin clearing after just one session. However, for some clients with deeper or stubborn spots, a course of 2–3 sessions may be needed for complete results. The full effect becomes visible within 2–3 weeks, as the skin fully heals and regenerates.
Recommendations
To support and prolong your results, always wear SPF 50 daily and avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and aggressive skincare products for at least 3–4 weeks after treatment to maintain body laser results. Consistent sun protection and gentle skincare are very important to prevent new pigmentation and keep your skin healthy.
Why Choose Clarity II Laser Machine for Laser Pigmentation Removal?
Clarity II is one of the most advanced medical lasers available today, developed by globally trusted brands Lutronic and Cynosure, known for innovation, quality, and safety.
✅ Clinically proven results – treatment protocols supported by scientific studies and real-world clinical outcomes.
✅ Safe year-round – suitable even for tanned or darker skin tones.
✅ Two powerful wavelengths (755 nm & 1064 nm) – customizable treatment for different skin types and pigment issues.
✅ Cooling system and smart real-time temperature control – ensure comfort and prevent skin overheating.
✅ Precise and effective targeting – Affects only unwanted pigment, leaving healthy skin untouched.
Have questions or want to learn more about our laser services? Get in touch with us at any time. Our expert team is happy to assist and provide detailed answers. You can also take advantage of a free consultation at our skin boutique clinic in Funchal. No pressure—just expert care and honest advice. Take the first step toward your skin goals with Madeira Beauty.
Author
Facial Artist
Anastasiia Goldbek
