Pigment spots

Pigment spots (syn. pigment nevus, melanocyte nevus, melanocytic nevus) are an initially benign malformation of the skin, which develops from pigment-producing melanocytes or related cells. For this reason, the pigment spots are often stained brown. There are numerous subtypes of benign pigment spots, which in some cases degenerate and can thus become malignant. Pigment disorders of the face and neck are particularly common.

Remove pigmentation stains

Most pigment disorders are completely harmless and are at most a cosmetic problem. For this reason, it is rarely necessary to remove the pigment spots. However, if a decision is made to treat the pigmentation spots, there are various procedures to choose from.

Laser treatment is very effective, in which pigment accumulations are broken down by the bundled energy of the laser and the remains are then broken down by white blood cells. Another option is cold therapy (cryopeeling) with liquid nitrogen or treatment with acids. These cause the upper layers of the skin to die so that they can be removed together with the melanin contained in them.

However, the sensitive skin tends to form new pigment spots in the following period and should be particularly protected from sunlight. A widespread form of treatment for pigmentation spots is also the use of bleaching creams based on rocinol, hydroquinone or kojic acid, which, however, are potentially hazardous to health and often do not have sufficient effect. In addition to cosmetic aspects, a degeneration of the pigment spots may also be a reason to have them removed. Conspicuous features are usually difficult for the layperson to recognize. Nevertheless, it is advisable to keep an eye on pigment disorders and to pay particular attention to changes in the pigment spots.

Laser pigment spots

Laser procedures are a very effective method of treating pigment disorders, in which pigment accumulations are broken up by the bundled energy of the laser and the remains are then broken down by immune cells. Various types of lasers are available for this purpose, such as ruby, erbium, KTP or fraxellaser. They differ in wavelength and penetration depth.

Several sessions are usually necessary for a complete removal of the pigment spots. If a brightening of the pigment disorder is sufficient, a single laser treatment may be sufficient. It is best to carry out such a treatment in autumn or winter, as the UV radiation is lowest during these seasons.

This is worth mentioning because the skin is very sensitive after a laser treatment. In addition, the skin must be treated daily with sunscreen for at least eight weeks after the laser treatment. Laser treatment always carries the risk of scarring and should therefore be used with caution. The cost of laser treatment of pigmentation marks is about 100 euros per session.