Laser Treatment According to the Type of Skin Lesion
Various types of skin lesions can occur on our bodies, especially on our faces, due to different causes and factors. These skin lesions, which are darker and more pronounced than the normal skin color, do not pose a threat to our health but can lead to aesthetic and cosmetic issues, potentially causing psychological disturbances that affect some individuals’ social lives. Therefore, it is essential to treat skin lesions.
Understanding Melanin and Skin Lesions
Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color of our skin. Skin lesions are areas where there is an excess of melanin. The accumulation of melanin in certain regions can be caused by various factors. Some lesions appear at birth, while others develop during adolescence, aging, or as a result of sun exposure and damage from external factors.
Types of Skin Lesions
- Pigmented Lesions:
- Epidermal Pigmented Lesions: These include lentigines, café au lait spots, freckles, nevocellular nevi, nevus spilus, seborrheic keratosis, and pigmented actinic keratosis.
- Dermal Pigmented Lesions: These include blue nevus, ota nevus, ito nevus, dermal and epidermal pigment, compound nevus, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and melasma.
- Sun Spots:
- Prolonged sun exposure without sunscreen can lead to sunspots. The skin thickens and melanin production increases as a protective response, resulting in more pronounced spots.
- Pregnancy Spots (Melasma):
- Despite being termed pregnancy spots, melasma can also occur in men. Birth control pills, hormonal changes during pregnancy, stress, and psychological factors can lead to excessive melanin production, resulting in sharply defined spots primarily on sun-exposed areas like the cheeks, forehead, and chin. Melasma may recur during subsequent pregnancies, especially in genetically predisposed individuals.
- Freckles:
- Freckles are commonly seen on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin, appearing as light or darker brown spots. They tend to increase in sunny seasons and decrease or lighten in non-sunny periods.
- Fungal Diseases:
- Certain fungal infections can cause skin discolorations.
- Café au Lait (Café au Lait Spots):
- These milk-coffee colored spots can develop at birth or in early childhood. They can vary in size and may appear alone or as a sign of neurofibromatosis.
- Allergic Reactions:
- Certain medications taken orally or topical creams can lead to hyperpigmentation. Reactions can range from mild redness and allergic reactions to more severe responses, including localized swelling and the formation of spots.
Laser Treatment for Skin Lesions
Various lasers are utilized for this purpose. In our clinic, a separate treatment plan is developed for each type of skin lesion.
