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Pigmentation

Discolorations and spots on your skin? Chances are they are pigmentation spots.

Despite the fact that pigment spots are extremely common, very few people know how they develop and that it is relatively easy to do something about them.

Not only the face, but also the cleavage, hands, arms and legs can be treated successfully. How wonderful when your skin looks smooth and calm again after a short treatment!

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I wish I'd done this years earlier. My skin is so much calmer now, and I'm told by everyone that I look good. Very happy with this treatment.

Carla

Where do those spots come from?

Skin therapist Naomi explains:

Pigment is created in the skin by sun damage (UV light). This damage can occur early in our youth and only become visible later in life as pigmentation spots. The official name for a pigmentation spot is Lentigo solaris.

The spots can appear anywhere on the body, but are particularly bothersome on the face, décolleté, neck or hands. The spots can look unsightly and can make you look older than you are. This is why they are often called 'age spots' .

Pigmentation spots do not necessarily have anything to do with age, and can also be caused by genetics or medication. Acne, wounds or abrasions can also leave pigment in the skin, often in the form of scars.

When pigment has a hormonal cause, such as pregnancy or contraception (the pill), it is called melasma. Melasma is difficult to treat with IPL and laser, and requires a lot of maintenance.

Our solution

Using our wide range of laser and IPL machines, pigmentation spots will fade or even disappear completely. In the process, we also significantly rejuvenate and improve the skin, as our treatments stimulate the production of collagen. The skin refreshes and looks healthier and calmer.

Although we can remove the discolourations from the skin very well, we can never remove the pigment cells themselves. When these pigment cells are exposed to the sun, they are reactivated and can darken again.

It generally takes quite a long time, often years, before the pigmentation is as dark as it was before treatment. The treatment therefore has a long-term effect in most cases. In our experience, 1 to 2 maintenance treatments per year suppress the pigmentation well, and keep the skin tone fresh and smooth. In that respect, it can be compared to the annual check-up at the dentist or dental hygienist!

The aim of any treatment is to have a positive impact on how you feel, both in your personal and professional life.

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The consultation

As a first step, we always want to see your skin. During a consultation, we put together a personalised treatment plan, as every skin and form pigmentation is different. As such, the exact price and number of treatments required also vary from person to person.

During the consultation, the laser specialist explains how we will treat the pigmentation, as well as the aftercare and possible complications. They also provide advice on how best to maintain your skin, including in everyday life.

With over 30 years of experience, we have treated a wide variety of skin and pigmentation

A consultation with one of our laser specialists costs € 35,-. These costs will be deducted from the costs of the first treatment, provided the treatment takes place within 6 months of the consultation date. If you are already fairly certain that you wish to be treated, we can usually combine a consultation with an initial treatment on request.

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Three reasons to choose us:

200.000+

treatments performed

30

years of experience in cosmetic care

9,6

Our score on Google reviews

The other day my husband asked if I had changed my make-up. I told him: 'No, my skin just looks much calmer!' So happy with this result!

Josephine

Pre-care

It is important that the skin is as light as possible (not tanned) before treatment with the IPL and lasers.

Avoid sun or tanning bed exposure 3 to 4 weeks before treatment.
Self-tanning cream (bronzer) should also be avoided for 1 week before treatment.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you cannot be treated.

Treatment

For the treatment of pigmentation we use the latest Ellipse IPL (Nordlys) and a variety of lasers. The energy of the IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and lasers causes the pigment to break down into small pieces. As a result, the pigment is discharged by your own body and will fade away.

The flashes from IPL and lasers can be felt, but are generally tolerable for everyone. Some areas on the body may be a bit more sensitive than others.

The duration of a treatment depends on how much needs to be treated. For example, a full face takes 45 minutes. A few small spots can be done in as little as 10 minutes.

With our methods, we fade the pigmentation and significantly improve the quality of the skin

Most clinics rely on 1 device or method that they use to treat pigmentation. We have several lasers and IPL methods that tackle pigmentation in their own unique way. Is one laser not working well enough? Then we have ample choice to deploy another. This allows us to properly treat both superficial and deeper pigmentation in most skin types.

With more than 30 years of experience, our practitioners have treated a wide range of pigment and skin types. As such, they have the most effective methods of removing pigmentation spots.

Very professional, friendly and honest. I feel confident here that I am in good hands with professionals who also tell me honestly what can and cannot be done

Jacqui

Our experts

For the treatment of something as important as the skin (our largest organ!) it is important that this is performed by skilled and experienced hands. We now have over 30 years of experience in the treatment of pigmentation, and have therefore treated a wide variety of skin and types of pigmentation. As such, our laser specialists are extremely capable of putting together and performing a highly effective treatment.

We can effectively treat both superficial and deeper pigmentation in most skin types

How can I be sure of the capabilities of my practitioner?

View our selection guide

Choice Guide

How to choose a good clinic and cosmetic practitioner? Here we'll provide you with some tips

Nowadays we are flooded with cosmetic treatments, trends and hypes. In every neighborhood of the city there are several clinics that offer various types of treatments, each claiming to be better than the other.

But how do you choose a good clinic? And how do you know for sure that you end up with a competent practitioner?

We are happy to help you on your way with our choice guide:

First the basics

First, check if the clinic has a good reputation or if you know people who can recommend the clinic. A quick Google search for the clinic in question will get you a long way. Now, you don't have to be put off by a few bad reviews, but if a clinic has a lot of negative reviews, it might be smart to look elsewhere.
Who do you have an appointment with and is that the person who will also treat you? You can ask these questions directly by phone or email at the reception. It is wise to then google that practitioner and see if they have the right certifications and diplomas, regardless of what is stated on the website of the clinic itself. You can search for a skin therapist, cosmetic doctor, or plastic surgeon.

The consultation

Once you have chosen a clinic and practitioner, it is time for a consultation. During this consultation you can ask the following questions:

How often should I be treated?
What degrees and certifications do you have?
How much does a treatment cost?
What kind of aftercare do you provide and is this included in the price?
What happens if the result is not good enough?

Lastly…

Were all your questions answered properly during the consultation? Realize that you have every right to ask questions and that these must be answered clearly.
Take your time. A practitioner should never force you to undergo a treatment right now. Does it feel pushy? Or do you still have doubts? Then say that you would like to think about it and that you will contact them if you want to start the treatment.

Claire Lune Oosterbaan

Naomi Kaihatu

Tanja Roetman

Aftercare

After treatment, the following practical matters apply:

The skin will show some dark discolourations after the treatment. This is a sign that the pigment is coming to the surface of the skin and will fade as the skin renews itself. On average, this discolouration disappears in 1 to 2 weeks on the face and in 2 to 6 weeks on the rest of the body.
Usually some scabs will form at the site of the pigmentation. These scabs disappear by themselves after 1 to 2 weeks on the face and 2 to 6 weeks on the rest of the body. It is best not to touch the scabs.
For a facial treatment, sun exposure should be avoided as much as possible for the first 4 weeks. For body treatments, sun exposure should be avoided for 8 weeks. Also, do not use a tanning bed or self-tanning cream (bronzer) during this period.
A cream with a high sun protection factor (at least SPF 30) is recommended at all times.

Our experience shows that treated pigmentation spots darken during the first 3 days, as the pigment is brought to the surface of the skin by the lasers and IPL. As such, the skin looks more irregular and battered than when you walked into the clinic, but that's a good sign! The peak of discolouration is on day 3-4.

The treated pigmentation spots may be camouflaged. We have beautiful products for this, which also help the skin in the healing process at the same time. We often apply these products as aftercare.

What a nice clinic, professional and thoughtful, top!

Joke

Results

The energy of the IPL and lasers is absorbed by the skin and converted into heat. As a result, pigment fades, pores refine, the skin appears fresher, and its texture improves.

The pigmentation spots will first get darker by the energy of the lasers and IPL, before fading. For the face, this process takes about 7 to 10 days. For the body this takes a little longer, on average 4 to 6 weeks.

The energy from IPL and lasers also stimulates blood circulation and collagen production in the skin. As a result, the skin renews itself and ultimately appears smoother with finer pores. The skin visibly refreshes and firms up. And all that as a bonus to treating pigmentation spots!

Usually, a significant improvement of the skin can be seen after just 2 treatments. Between 2 and 4 treatments may be needed for optimal results, depending on the amount and depth of the pigment.

Because pigmentation is reactivated in sunlight, maintenance is always needed to keep your skin calm and smooth.

From start to finish I felt like I was in capable hands. The result speaks for itself.

Joost

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Maintenance

Pigmentation spots are aggravated by sunlight and tanning beds. Therefore, our advice is to take good care and protect the skin in everyday life. At all times, we recommend the use of sunscreen (SPF 30-50). If you go out in the sun, the SPF should be reapplied every 2 hours. If you are prone to pigmentary disorders, you will need to be vigilant in the sun all year round.

Keep in mind that pigmentation spots can always come back. Depending on how careful you are with the sun, annual skin maintenance with IPL and lasers may be desirable.

From sun and rain to scratches and harsh make-up cleansers: the skin protects us every day. Not a bad idea to do something in return, right?

We have some great products with SPF that we have tested extensively ourselves, and that we also use daily in the clinic:

Brush on Bloc is a mineral sun protection (SPF 30) in powder form and is very easy to quickly brush over the face on the go. A nice product without nasty ingredients.
Oxygenetix is a caring and healing foundation that we have in a range of skin tones. With it, you camouflage the skin while also protecting it with SPF 30.

Vitamin C and retinol help improve the skin and are scientifically proven to combat pigment spots. Please make sure to use products that contain at least 4% vitamin C for optimal effects:

Daily Radiance is our go-to day cream with 7% vitamin C as well as SPF 30
C-Tetra and C-Tetra Luxe are serums containing 7% and 14% vitamin C respectively. They protect the skin from free radicals and reduce UV damage. Nice to start the day with under a day cream and SPF.
r-Retinoate is a serum and cream in one with Retinyl Retinoate (8x more potent than retinol) and a high concentration of vitamins C and E. The photostable form of vitamin A means it can be used both during the day and night.

During the consultation, we can advise which of our products are best suited to your skin's needs.

Prices

A pigmentation treatment starts at € 85,-.

The exact price, together with a personalised treatment plan, will be drawn up during the consultation with one of our laser specialists.

A consultation with one of our laser specialists costs € 35,-. These costs will be deducted from the costs of the treatment, provided that the treatment takes place within 6 months of the consultation date.

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Price list

Q&A

Are pigmentation spots the same as liver spots?

Skin therapist Claire Lune explains:

Liver spots, hyperpigmentation, sun spots, age spots - these are all names for pigmentation spots. The official name for a pigmentation spot is Lentigo solaris.

Can you also treat freckles?

Skin therapist Claire Lune explains:

Freckles are a form of pigmentation and can therefore also be treated effectively with IPL and lasers. However, they do come back faster with sun exposure than other pigmentation spots.

Can you treat birthmarks too?

Skin therapist Claire Lune explains:

We cannot remove birthmarks that have been formed up to the age of 20. These are located in the deepest layer of skin, and may be malignant. For this reason, we always recommend having birthmarks checked (and possibly removed) by a dermatologist.

Are the pigmentation spots gone forever after treatment?

Skin therapist Claire Lune explains:

With our treatment, we can only remove the discolouration from the skin, but not the pigment cells themselves. When the pigment cells are exposed to the sun, they are reactivated and can darken again. For a first treatment, our experience shows that an average of 2 to 4 sessions are needed to optimally remove the pigmentation spots.

After these initial sessions, it takes quite a long time, often years, before the pigment is as dark as it was before treatment. But it is best not to wait that long to have another treatment. With pigmentation, we see that 1-2 maintenance treatments a year work very well to keep the skin tone smooth and fresh.

Does the treatment hurt?

Laser specialist Tanja explains:

The flashes from IPL and lasers can be felt, but are generally tolerable for everyone. Some areas on the body may be a bit more sensitive than others.

How long does a treatment take?

Skin therapist Naomi explains:

A consultation takes about 20 minutes, and the duration of a treatment depends on how much needs to be treated. For example, a full face takes 45 minutes. A few small spots can be done in as little as 10 minutes.

What's the price of a treatment?

Skin therapist Naomi explains:

This depends entirely on the amount of pigment and the size of the area to be treated. As an indication, our treatments start at €85 for a small spot, while a full-face treatment costs €395.

Price list

There are many laser clinics offering this treatment. Why should I choose you?

Laser specialist Tanja explains:

Most clinics rely on 1 device or method that they use to treat pigmentation. We have several lasers and IPL methods that tackle pigmentation in their own unique way. Is one laser not working well enough? Then we have ample choice to deploy another. This allows us to properly treat both superficial and deeper pigmentation in most skin types.

In addition, we strongly care for our customers and our aftercare is second to none. Is something wrong? Or do you still have a question? With us, your treatment does not stop as soon as you walk out the door, but you are always welcome for a check-up.

Any doubts? No problem. We are firm believers that you should look around carefully. You can use the Choice Guide we have compiled to make an informed choice wherever you go.

How do I look after treatment?

Laser specialist Tanja explains:

For the first 3 days, the treated pigmentation spots get darker, as the pigment is brought to the surface of the skin by the laser and IPL. As such, the skin looks more battered than when you walked into the clinic, but that is a good sign. It means the treatment has worked well!

The peak of discolouration is on days 3-4. After 7-10 days, the face generally looks completely normal again. For the body this takes longer, on average 4 to 6 weeks. The pigment has come out of the skin after this period and the spots have either disappeared or become lighter in colour.

Can I camouflage the dark discolourations?

Skin therapist Claire Lune explains:

Yes! You may camouflage the treated pigmentation spots. We also have beautiful products for this, which aid the skin in the healing process at the same time. You can ask for these at the counter or during the treatment with your practitioner.

How many treatments do I need?

Skin therapist Naomi explains:

Usually, a significant improvement of the skin can be seen after just 2 treatments. Between 2 and 4 treatments may be needed for optimal results, depending on the amount and depth of the pigment.

Since pigment is reactivated in sunlight, maintenance is always needed to keep the skin calm.

Can you recommend a good sunscreen?

Skin therapist Claire Lune explains:

We have some great products with SPF that we have tested extensively ourselves and also use daily.

Brush on Bloc is a mineral sun protection (SPF 30) in powder form and is very easy to quickly brush over the face on the go. A nice product without nasty ingredients.
Oxygenetix is a nourishing and healing foundation that we have in a range of skin tones. With it, you can camouflage the skin while also protecting it with SPF 30.

What is the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50?

Skin therapist Naomi explains:

SPF stands for Sun Protective Factor. The higher the SPF, the more protection you have from the sun's harmful UV light. In reality however, the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is almost negligible. In fact, a sunscreen with SPF 30 protects your skin for about 97%, while a sunscreen with SPF 50 protects for 98%.

The main danger lies in the illusion of safety that SPF 50 brings. While it offers only 1% more protection, we are quick to think that we are 'safe' for the rest of the day with this high factor.

As such, it is much more important to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when you go out in the sun. If you do this, it makes almost no difference whether you use SPF 30 or SPF 50!

Are there also creams for pigmentation spots?

Laser specialist Tanja explains:

We have a wide range of nourishing creams and serums that can help combat pigment spots. Vitamin C and retinol help improve the skin and are scientifically proven to combat pigment spots. Please note that you use products that contain at least 3% vitamin C for optimal effect.

During a consultation, we can advise which of our products are best suited to your skin's needs.

Request a consultation