Does it hurt?
The laser pulse feels like a rubber band snapping against your skin, and each pulse treats an area approximately the size of a pencil eraser. If your pigmented lesion is very large, you may elect to have local anesthesia, but this is usually not necessary.

What happens after the treatment?
Immediately after laser exposure, the treated area turns white and swells slightly This whiteness usually fades in approximately 20 minutes. Over the next several days, blisters may form at the treatment site and then a scab or a thin crust may follow. The skin usually returns to normal in about 7 to 10 days.

How many treatments will I require?
This will depend on the size of your lesion as well as its location, depth, and color. Age spots usually require only one or two treatments, while darker ones and deeper birthmarks may require additional treatment sessions. Treatments should be spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart to allow your body's natural immune system to remove the maximum amount of pigment particles in between sessions. You will continue to see fading of your lesion in between treatment sessions as more pigment is removed by your body.

Is it safe?
The ruby laser has been used successfully in over 10,000 treatments and has been cleared by the FDA for use in pigmented lesion removal. In general, scarring is not a significant risk with the ruby laser. Because the laser beam is absorbed only by melanin, and not by other skin structures, the surrounding skin is not affected by the treatment. Normal skin is not harmed by ruby laser treatment. Only excess pigment is removed, and your skin is left intact

How much will it cost?
The cost to remove a pigmented lesion depends on the number of treatments required, which in turn depends on the size, location, depth and color of your birthmark.

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