Concern Pigment Spots

Treating hyperpigmentation in Vaudreuil-Dorion

There is no single answer, because the right choice depends on the type of spot. A solar lentigo (a sun-related brown spot) generally responds very well to the IPL and laser platform, which targets the pigment without damaging the surrounding skin. Hormonal chloasma needs a more cautious, gradual approach, because energy that is too aggressive can make it worse: chemical peels and medical hydradermabrasion are usually preferred. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation often fades on its own but can be accelerated. This is why identifying the type of spot during the consultation always comes before treatment.

It depends on the type of spot, how deep the pigment sits in the skin, and how long it has been there. Superficial spots respond faster than deep or hormonally driven pigmentation, which needs a longer protocol. Sessions are spaced several weeks apart to let the skin renew itself between treatments. Your physician gives a realistic estimate during the consultation after examining your skin.

Yes, if the cause is not controlled. Treatment clears existing pigment but does not change how your skin produces melanin. Without daily sun protection, new sun spots will appear. Hormonal chloasma is particularly prone to recurrence as long as the hormonal factor persists. A broad-spectrum sunscreen applied year-round, even on cloudy days, is the single most effective way to protect your results.

A solar lentigo appears as round, well-defined light brown spots on the areas most exposed to the sun: face, hands and décolleté. It results from repeated sun exposure accumulated with age. Chloasma (also called melasma or the mask of pregnancy) forms diffuse patches with blurred edges, located on the cheeks, forehead and above the lips, and stems from excess melanin linked to hormonal imbalance. The two are treated differently, which is why the diagnosis matters.

Discomfort stays mild. With IPL and laser, each pulse produces a brief sensation of heat often compared to the snap of an elastic band. A chemical peel causes a tingling or warm sensation during application. No anaesthesia is needed and you can resume your activities immediately.

After an IPL or laser treatment, the treated spots temporarily darken and take on the appearance of small coffee grounds for a few days before flaking off naturally as the skin renews. Mild redness may persist for a few hours. After a peel, superficial flaking is expected depending on the depth of the peel. In every case, sun exposure must be avoided and sunscreen applied rigorously.

It is possible, but autumn and winter remain the ideal periods. Recently tanned skin contains more melanin, which increases the risk of a reaction during a light-based treatment and makes targeting the pigment less precise. If you want treatment in summer, the area must be kept out of the sun in the weeks before and after the session.

No. A pigmented lesion that changes in shape, colour or size, that has irregular borders, or that bleeds must be assessed by a physician before any aesthetic treatment. Our skin analysis and medical consultation exist precisely to distinguish benign pigment spots from lesions that require dermatological evaluation.