Pico-second Laser Underarm Pigment Lightening.

Openly discussing underarm problems tends to be a topic that most people avoid, despite the fact that 9 out of 10 women actually feel self-conscious and embarrassed about the underarm.

Our underarms are actually supposed to be the very close to thr same shade as the rest of the skin, but when the reverse happens – it can be a daunting problem to deal with. Not only can it be detrimental to one’s self esteem, it can also lead to uncomfortable situations that may cause us to cover up, avoid social situations, even during tank top and bikini season.

Roughly 74% of people will suffer from dark armpits at some point in their life (according to a study in 2014). In this article, we aim to explore the causes of this stressful issue, and identify possible solutions lighten up your world!

Causes of Underarm Hyperpigmentation

Inflammation, genetics, obesity, irritation and sun exposure. A person’s age, race and lifestyle habits, including smoking and using the wrong type of deodorant can also worsen the d

Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) is a more serious condition which causes skin to thicken and darken in areas such as the elbows and neck, and of course, the underarms. It is often accompanied with an localized itching an irritation and is more likely to happen in people with dark skin as they are more prone to hyperpigmentation.

While dark pigmentation of the underarms is sometimes deemed as more of a cosmetic issue, AN is often associated with an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, obesity, or hormone imbalance.

Repeated trauma and friction from agressive or frequent shaving or plucking techniques can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) – which stimulates melanocyte production, the pigment cells responsible for darkening of the skin.

Understanding Melanin Production

Your skin color is actually determined by melanocytes – specialized skin cells that produces the skin-darkening pigment, melanin.

While it is meant to protect us from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, an excessive amount of melanin brought about by melanocytes multiplying faster than usual can lead to skin turning into an undesirable, dark color.

Having said that, how do we successfully treat dark underarms then? Essentially, in order to lighten the skin, you will need to remove the excessive pigments. However, hyperpigmentation is often a dermal problem – meaning to say that it requires a solution that is able to reach beneath the deeper layers of the skin.

Possible Solutions

While there are plenty of over-the-counter creams and products that promise to whiten the armpits, including the use of natural remedies such as lemon juice and sea cucumber extracts – they might not be the most effective in the long run, as most of them only work to improve the external appearance of the skin instead of dealing with the root cause of pigmentation.

When such solutions fail to work, many patients look to visit a doctor to have skin resurfacing treatments done, such as chemical peels or laser therapy.

While chemical peels work wonders for exfoliating the surface layers of the skin, the pico-second laser is able to penetrate into the deeper layers to break down the pigments for longer-lasting, more potent results.

There are 2 main types of lasers: ablative and non-ablative laser. At Atrium Aesthetics we use a non-ablative laser called PicoWay pico-second laser – a powerful, non-invasive laser that is currently one of the most effective pigmentation treatments, safe for all skin types, and the most advanced laser technology on the market today.

Why PicoWay pico-second Laser?

Pico is an FDA-approved treatment that uses selective photo-thermolysis – a technique that matches with specific wavelengths of light to heat up targeted tissues in order to break up the pigments in the skin. The body then naturally eliminates the pigments overtime, leading to the gradual lightening of the skin.

During the process, tiny bubbles are formed, and are eventually filled up with collagen during the body’s natural healing process that also aids in removal of acne scare, stretch mark and basic scars,

Working in picoseconds rather than nanoseconds, this makes Pico laser 10 times faster than traditional nanosecond lasers in the market. The key to Pico’s success is in its wavelengths – generating a powerful laser pulse every 450 seconds, the treatment involves a more comfortable experience, shorter recovery times and faster treatment results!

Pico is perfect even for those with dark, tanned skin – with minimal side effects and zero downtime! Successive treatments are needed to see optimal results, and it also depends on your body’s ability to effectively eliminate the pigments.

It is important that your laser clinician knows the specific type of laser and temperature to work with and is and expert in applying the protocols; otherwise, it can lead to scarring and even more pigmentation.

Laser assisted skin care procedures require a commitment and patience is key to any treatment, and so is taking good care of your skin throughout the process. At Atrium aesthetics our clinicians are professionals who are trained and certified in laser aesthetics and in application of laser for a variety of problems.

So, if you are ready to open and raise your arms-say yes to all the good things in life, book your consultation with us today!

Frequently asked questions

1. What is a typical procedure like?

A quick 15 mins laser for your underarms is all is required. Often no down time but sometimes some redness post laser is expected. The clinician will provide post treatment care and instruction.

2. Is treatment painful?

Most patients report that the treatment is highly-tolerable, with what feels like a warm, tingly sensation the skin.

3. What is the cost of treatment?

This is highly-dependent on the individual, but treatment prices can range anywhere from $250 to $1000 per session. Treatment requires 5-6 sessions. One time sessions are not available as they will not give the desired result.

4. How long is a session?

The laser treatment itself will take roughly 20 to 30 minutes to complete. If additional modalities are combined in could take up to 60 minutes.

5. How long will it take for me to see results?

Treatment results from Pico develop over several treatments 4-6 weeks apart. It is a gradual process and patients usually notice an improvement in their skin over the next 6-12 months after their sixth session. Our clinicians are skilled and certified in the nuances of laser treatment, in order to obtain the desired results 5 – 6 treatments are a good starting plan. Maintenance is equally important and is part of the whole treatment plan, and will be done every 6-12 months for as long as the client’s needs needs dictate, until the pigment is near-permanently resolved.

6. What are the side effects?

There are minimal side effects seen with Pico laser – the most common being redness that subsides within a few hours. Pico laser is considered to be a no downtime treatment. Special precautions will be advised for those who are prone to seizures or cold sores.

7. Why should you visit our spa at Atrium Aesthetics?

There are several different Pico lasers in the market; however, at our aesthetic clinic, we use PicoWay lasers that also help with rebuilding the skin’s own collagen production pathways and improving its overall texture.

At Atrium Aesthetics we offer both chemical peels and laser therapy, including the powerful PicoWay laser to successfully treat and lighten dark underarms (and other areas)!

At your initial consultation with our clinicians, we will customize a treatment from start to finish using various modalities including mechanical and medical grade topical products to address your unique. skin care needs.