Nd:YAG Pigmentation Removal

Nd:YAG Q-switched laser treatment for superficial and mid-dermal pigmentation — sunspots, age spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and café-au-lait patches. The laser selectively shatters melanin clusters without damaging surrounding tissue.

Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) laser treatment at Dermedika uses the Q-switched 1064 nm wavelength to selectively target and destroy melanin pigment clusters in the skin through a process called selective photothermolysis. The laser pulses are delivered in nanosecond bursts at extremely high peak energies — short enough that surrounding tissue absorbs negligible heat, but intense enough to shatter the pigment granules into microscopic fragments that the lymphatic system can clear over the following weeks. The 1064 nm wavelength penetrates to the mid-dermis, making it effective for pigmentation at multiple depths. Superficial targets including epidermal sunspots, age spots (solar lentigines), and freckles respond quickly — often clearing significantly after a single session. Deeper targets such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) from acne, nevi, and café-au-lait spots require multiple sessions as the pigment lies at varying depths and concentrations within the dermis. During the procedure, a handpiece is passed over the treatment area, delivering rapid pulses of laser energy at each spot. The sensation is often described as a snapping or mild stinging — similar to a rubber band on skin. Most patients tolerate the procedure without anaesthesia; topical numbing cream is available on request. Immediately after treatment, the targeted spots appear slightly whitened or frosted — a sign of immediate epidermal response. Over the following 1-2 weeks, treated lesions darken slightly as the disrupted melanin aggregates before being cleared by macrophages. Sun avoidance and SPF50+ use are essential before and after Nd:YAG pigmentation treatment to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (a risk in patients with darker Fitzpatrick skin types) and to prevent treated areas from re-pigmenting under UV exposure. Dermedika recommends 1-3 sessions for most superficial pigmentation concerns, with reassessment after each session to determine whether further treatment is indicated.