FOR hyperpigmentation

WHAT IT IS:

You may have heard of Picosure from friends looking to remove a regrettable tattoo. While that was the laser’s original purpose, it is also an effective method for removing hyperpigmentation. The best part: It’s safe for people of colour. Picosure works by mechanically disrupting pigment—think of a vibration—unlike other lasers that use heat and can actually cause hyperpigmentation in deeper skin tones. This process signals the creation of new collagen deep in the skin and has been shown to improve acne scarring, fine lines and overall skin texture. It’s also a “lunchtime” treatment, meaning there’s no anaesthetic used and you can quickly get on with your day post-procedure.

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE:

I am prone to redness (see right), but that’s not my only affliction: A lifetime of acne has left me with significant scarring and hyperpigmentation. Since I have no active acne, Dr. Diane Wong, owner and medical director of Glow Medi Spas in Ontario, suggests that I start with Picosure before moving on to intense pulsed light (IPL) laser. While both lasers help with hyperpigmentation and will improve the overall appearance of my skin, Wong says that the effects are more significant with Picosure. “One of the few things it doesn’t treat is redness, and that is where the IPL can help,” she explains. I abstain from all active skincare ingredients (retinols, acids and the like) for two weeks before my treatment. When it comes time for the laser, I am offered a hose that blasts a cool stream of air at my face, and I find the experience to be painless. Post-treatment, I do get a few pimple-like bumps, which I’m told can happen with oily skin types, but they resolve within a few days.