Laser Spot Removal

Laser Blemish Removal and Flat Mole Removal

Cosmetic Laser & Surgery Network offers the latest in laser treatment options to eliminate unattractive benign flat moles or skin lesions with the gentle action of a light beam. The laser permits non-traumatic treatments of vascular lesions, brown spots or pigmented skin blemishes in a comfortable, safe and effective way. The mild and precise treatment characteristics of the laser provide consistent results.

Causes of Age Spots, Brown Spots and other benign skin lesions.

Unprotected fun in the sun resulting in just one bad sunburn, can leave unsightly age spots or brown spots on the hands, face, chest and arms. It is important to remember that these brown spots are caused by sun damage. Sun exposure causes an abundance of melanocytes, which are pigment cells located in the skin. When this dark pigment multiplies, it forms freckles, brown spots, age spots and some flat moles. While Ideal Image can help repair damage that has already occurred, it is critical to use sunscreen daily to avoid further skin damage and discoloration. Seborrheic Keratoses and Dermatosis Papulosis Nigra, although brown in color, are examples of brown moles or brown spots that are purely related to age and do not develop directly from overactive pigment cells. Those that are raised from the skin surface are not very amenable or responsive to removal by laser.

How the Laser Works

New technology in lasers make them specifically tuned to target the dark pigment found in flat moles like brown spots or sun freckles. Thus, these can be eliminated with a quick and virtually painless laser procedure. The process is simple and leaves a mild pink spot lasting a few days or perhaps weeks when larger areas are treated. For vascular lesions, the laser actually causes the blood contained in the lesions to coagulate with very quick resolution.

Types of Skin Blemishes or Moles for Laser Removal

Pigmented Moles or Brown Lesions

Lentigines- known as sun spots, age spots or liver spots and present as a flat, brown spot on the skin. They often occur with frequent sun exposure.
Freckles- the name given to a small lentigine; they appear as a brownish spot on the skin often following sun exposure. More common on people with fair skin.
Cafe au lait spots- are light tan spots, the color of coffee with milk. They are a normal type of birthmark. They are usually present along a cutaneous nerve tract. The presence of several Cafe-au-lait spots larger than a quarter may occur in neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes abnormal cell growth.
Seborrheic Keratoses- slightly elevated pigmented moles often found on the back and hands. These are often mistaken for a wart, and are commonly associated with aging. They typically affect men and women over 40 with lighter complexions. They may present as brown or black growths that have a pasted-on appearance -- similar to a dab of warm, brown candle wax that was dropped onto the skin. Unfortunately, many of us will not escape developing seborrheic keratoses. As a matter of fact, most medical experts agree that every man or woman will develop several of these growths in their golden years. Unlike, lentigines or sun spots, keratoses are not formed by pigment cells. Lasers can be used to remove these as long as they are not raised much from the skin surface. Seborrheic Keratoses are not to be confused with Actinic Keratoses which have a grey or red scaly appearance, occur on sun damaged skin, and are considered pre-cancerous. Actinic Keratoses are not treated at Ideal Image, but would require referral to a dermatological surgeon.
Dermatosis Papulosis Nigra- a specific type of seborrheic keratoses in the form of very small and numerous, slightly elevated, dark papules or bumps on the face, particularly on the cheeks and near the eyes. Laser removal is possible when the papules are not very thick and thus not raised much from the skin surface. These are seen primarily on people of Asian or African descent.
Laser Tattoo Removal- although tattoo removal is often completed successfully with laser treatment, Ideal Image is currently not performing this procedure. Look for this service in the near future.

Vascular Lesions

Cherry Angioma- a benign skin growth that appears as a small, smooth, cherry red bump. They are made up of clusters of dilated capillaries on the surface of the skin, which accounts for the cherry-red or purple color. No one knows exactly what causes them.

The laser light beam is selectively absorbed by the hemoglobin in the red blood cell and the vacular lesion is quickly obliterated, thus completely resolved by laser treatment. Number of treatments can vary from 1-2 sessions. Although electro-surgery or cryotherapy can be utilized, laser therapy is non-invasive and seems to produce the most desirable cosmetic results.