is used to remove unwanted brown spots, sun freckles, or tattoos from your skin.
The laser energy pulse, which is in billionths of a second, releases the pigment into the skin so it can be naturally reabsorbed and disposed of by the body.

How Do I Know If I Need This Treatment?

The Q-switched laser is appropriate if you have a few isolated colored spots, large or small, that you would like to remove.

The Q-switched laser is also effective against sun spots on the chest, arms or legs.

The Q-switched laser is not appropriate for pregnant women or patients who have taken oral iso-tretinoin for the past six months. Persons with a history of cold sores or herpes simplex virus should not have this procedure until they are treated for these conditions.

How Does Q-Switched Laser Treatment Work?

The Q-switched laser is used to remove unwanted brown spots, sun freckles, or tattoos from your skin. The laser energy pulse, which is in billionths of a second, releases the pigment into the skin so it can be naturally reabsorbed and disposed of by the body.

The laser energy feels like many tiny hot dots on your skin. Tattoo removal without anesthetic is very painful, so we always attempt to anesthetize the area before performing tattoo removal.

What Are The Risks And Side Effects?

A red or brown spot may appear when the treated sun freckle is gone and the crust heals. Although this new spot is temporary and usually goes away on its own, it can be treated if it persists. Infections and/ scars are rare.

Proper skin care and sun avoidance are important.

Prior to treatment potential risks and side effects will be discussed with you by your medical provider.

What Happens After Treatment?

If the area being treated is the face, make sure to tell the provider if you have a history of cold sores on herpes simplex because laser energy may activate the virus. Be aware that you will have crusts on the treated area for a few days to 2 weeks (if on the legs, it may even be 3-4 weeks).

You feel a burning sensation on the treated area for several minutes or up to a few hours. The spots become red and form a crust that must be covered to heal optimally.  The crust heals in 3 to 14 days, (longer for arms and legs) depending on the location and how well you care for it.

Can We Combine This With Other Treatments?

Yes, but not on the same day in the same area as the Q-switched laser treatment. This is because the laser develops so much heat during treatment.

How Much Does The Q-Switched Laser Cost?

The cost depends on the area treated and the number of treatments.