Laser for pigmentation in Sydney.

Similar colour. Different conditions.

Freckles, sun spots, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can all look brown. They do not necessarily respond to the same treatment. A doctor assesses the pattern, history and likely cause before deciding whether laser or light treatment is appropriate.

Explore diagnosis and treatment pathways in our Sydney pigmentation treatment overview .

532 vs 755 vs 1064 nm, compared with IPL.

Melanin absorbs light differently at different wavelengths. Across these commonly used pigment wavelengths, shorter wavelengths are generally absorbed more strongly by melanin, while longer wavelengths can reach relatively deeper tissue. Strong absorption may help target a spot, but can also affect melanin in the surrounding skin.

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A 515 or 560 nm IPL label usually describes a cut-off filter, rather than a single emitted wavelength. The actual light range depends on the system and filter. See our PicoSure, Fotona and BBL comparison for the differences between platforms.

What a comparative study found: In a trial of 30 Asian patients with solar lentigines on the arms, both 532 and 755 nm picosecond lasers improved lesions. With the settings studied, 755 nm achieved greater improvement at 12 weeks. This does not establish one wavelength as best for every patient or condition. Read the 2022 study .

Laser pigmentation treatment for darker or Asian skin.

Skin with more epidermal melanin may be more susceptible to pigment changes after inflammation. A wavelength that helps one person’s sun spots can irritate another person’s skin. Ethnicity alone cannot determine suitable settings or predict an individual response.

Fitzpatrick skin types describe the tendency to burn and tan. They are one part of assessment, alongside current tanning, pigment diagnosis, previous PIH, sensitivity and treatment history. A 1064 nm laser’s lower melanin absorption can be useful in selected cases, but does not guarantee safety.

Laser and IPL can cause burns, prolonged redness, post-inflammatory darkening, loss of pigment and scarring. Melasma and PIH may worsen after treatment. Our pigmentation assessment guide explains why diagnosis, skin preparation and maintenance matter. Read the review of pigment treatment in Asian skin .

Pico laser, nanosecond laser and IPL: what changes?

Wavelength influences how light travels through skin and what absorbs it. Pulse duration is how long each burst of energy lasts. Together with energy, spot size and cooling, it affects the treatment response.

Picosecond

Very short pulses, measured in trillionths of a second, can favour a photoacoustic effect on pigment. “Pico” describes pulse duration, not one wavelength.

Nanosecond

Pulses measured in billionths of a second also target pigment through photomechanical and thermal effects. Suitability depends on the platform and settings.

IPL

Filtered broad-spectrum light commonly delivered in millisecond pulses or pulse sequences. It works differently from a single-wavelength pigment laser.

There is no universal “best” pulse duration. The target’s size and thermal relaxation time—the time it takes to lose a substantial part of its heat—help explain why parameters matter. For a deeper explanation, read laser wavelength versus pulse width for pigmentation .

Explore MA360’s pigmentation technologies.

Different devices offer different wavelengths, pulse formats and delivery options. The clinician selects an appropriate pathway after assessment. Confirm the planned device and appointment location with the clinic.

Comparing machines? Read the PicoSure vs Fotona vs BBL guide . For the broader clinical pathway, return to pigmentation treatment in Sydney .

Recovery, aftercare and realistic expectations.

Recovery varies with the diagnosis, device, settings and treatment area. Some pigment treatments cause temporary darkening, redness, swelling, dryness or flaking. Your clinician should explain the likely course for the treatment actually proposed.

1. Before treatment Discuss recent sun exposure, medicines, active skincare, previous reactions and how much recovery time you can accommodate. Some patients need preparation or a delay.
2. During recovery Follow the clinic’s instructions on gentle skincare, sun protection and when to restart active products. Avoid picking or scrubbing treated areas.
3. At review Assess response and side effects before deciding on further treatment. Freckles and sun-related spots can recur; melasma often needs continued management.

Read our PicoSure, Fotona and BBL aftercare guide for treatment-specific instructions and when to contact the clinic.

Before you choose a pigmentation treatment.

Research behind the guide.

1. Anderson RR, Parrish JA. Selective photothermolysis: precise microsurgery by selective absorption of pulsed radiation . Science, 1983.
2. Kono T, et al. Theoretical review of the treatment of pigmented lesions in Asian skin . Laser Therapy, 2016.
3. Vachiramon V, et al. Randomised comparative study of 532 and 755 nm picosecond lasers for solar lentigines in Asian patients . Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022.
4. Sowash M, Alster T. Review of laser treatments for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in skin of colour . American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2023.

Studies describe particular patients, devices and parameters. They do not predict an individual result or establish one device as suitable for everyone.