Laser Toning [Results may vary]

Advantages of Our Clinic's Laser Toning

• 1. Utilizes sufficient energy of over 2,000 shots. At Kkeut Traditional Korean Medicine Clinic, we do not rush with low output and few shots. Instead, we strive to reduce skin irritation and maximize treatment benefits through precise energy delivery.
• 2. Customized intensity adjustment considering the depth and type of pigmentation. Various pigmentary disorders such as melasma, ABNOM (acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules), and common blemishes have different depths and characteristics. At our clinic, melasma is treated relatively gently, while ABNOM receives more concentrated energy. For complex pigmentation, we delicately adjust different intensities and parameters for each area.
• 3. Real-time adjustment of parameters and skin response confirmation during treatment. Laser treatment is not just about irradiating the laser. During the treatment, the director directly checks the patient's skin reaction in a mirror and adjusts the spot size, intensity, and even the handpiece as needed. This aims for tangible improvement through precisely planned 1:1 customized treatment.
• 4. Precise diagnosis of pigment location and depth using a Mark-Vu diagnostic device. We do not rely solely on visual diagnosis. Using the Mark-Vu diagnostic device, we accurately identify the type, distribution, and depth of pigmentation, and formulate a treatment plan based on these objective diagnostic results.
• 5. Multi-layered approach to complex pigmentation. When melasma and ABNOM are present together, applying strong energy to only one type of pigmentation carries the risk of exacerbating the other. At Kkeut Traditional Korean Medicine Clinic, we utilize a step-by-step approach: first stabilizing and calming the melasma, then focusing more intensely on the ABNOM located in the dermis.

What Differentiates Kkeut Traditional Korean Medicine Clinic's Laser Toning?

Laser toning is a widely used method for improving various pigmentary disorders. However, the results can vary depending on the type of equipment used, the number of shots irradiated, and the intensity of the treatment.

Various pigmentary disorders such as melasma, blemishes, and ABNOM (acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules) exist at different depths within the skin and respond differently, thus requiring careful and precise planning before treatment.

1. Sufficient Energy Delivery with a Minimum of 2,000 Shots

Most medical literature reports that when performing low-output laser toning, safety and effectiveness can be expected within the range of 1,500 to 2,500 shots.

Kkeut Traditional Korean Medicine Clinic typically applies over 2,000 shots, planning to achieve significant improvement effects while minimizing unnecessary skin irritation.

Simply operating the device alone will not bring about the desired changes in the skin.

Considering comprehensively the depth of pigmentation, its spread, and the patient's skin sensitivity, delicate customized adjustments must be made to the number of shots, output, irradiation speed, and even spot size.

2. Director's Customized Toning, Meticulously Adjusted for Each Condition

1) Melasma

Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder that primarily appears on both sides of the face.

Since melanin-producing cells are excessively activated, there is a risk of symptoms worsening if stimulated.

At Kkeut Traditional Korean Medicine Clinic, we use the Mark-Vu precise skin diagnostic device to accurately assess the extent and depth of melasma, and carefully begin treatment with a toning laser that has a short pulse duration of 5 nanoseconds (ns).

Through Kkeut Traditional Korean Medicine Clinic's toning method, which minimizes stimulation to the melanocytes themselves and selectively destroys only the melanosomes within the cells, we aim to reduce the possibility of side effects.

Even during the treatment, the director directly observes the patient's skin in a mirror with them, adjusting the laser intensity and areas of focus. We meticulously fine-tune handpiece changes and parameter settings to ensure no area is missed.

We proceed with the treatment by checking the skin condition together in a mirror throughout the pre-treatment, during-treatment, and post-treatment stages.

2) ABNOM (Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules)

This condition, like melasma, is located in the dermal layer of pigmentation, but it may require more intense energy compared to melasma.

In cases of complex pigmentation where melasma and ABNOM coexist, opposing strategies are required simultaneously: gentle energy for melasma and stronger energy for ABNOM. This highlights the importance of the medical team's refined treatment techniques.

Specifically, if strong treatment begins without first calming melasma, the melasma may worsen.

At Kkeut Traditional Korean Medicine Clinic, we conduct thorough differential diagnosis and establish individualized treatment plans before treatment to reduce side effects and customize the intensity so that ABNOM can also be improved.

For ABNOM treatment, after a Mark-Vu diagnosis, the director sets parameters suitable for the patient and meticulously adjusts spot size, repetition count, and output according to the skin type.

3) Other Pigmentary Disorders

Pigmentation that shows relatively rapid responses, such as lentigines, freckles, and blemishes, can be expected to improve with the use of appropriate wavelengths. However, when they appear alongside melasma or ABNOM, treatment can become more complex.

In such cases, a delicate, customized approach is required, including accurate differential diagnosis, checking the skin condition in a mirror during each treatment, and adjusting the output and laser handpiece. At Kkeut Traditional Korean Medicine Clinic, we go beyond simple laser toning, providing melanin pigmentation treatment optimized for each individual patient based on the director's extensive experience.

Differences Between Pico Toning and Laser Toning

Pico toning theoretically offers the advantage of being able to destroy pigment more finely by using extremely short laser pulses measured in picoseconds.

In contrast, laser toning uses nanosecond-level pulses, delivering energy to the skin over a slightly longer duration than pico toning.

Both toning methods selectively target melanin pigment to brighten skin tone and are used in the management of various pigmentary disorders such as melasma, blemishes, and ABNOM (acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules).

Due to the difference in laser irradiation time, pico toning may show a faster response in the initial 2-3 treatments, but when treated consistently for 10 sessions or more, both methods can be expected to yield similar skin brightening effects.

Laser toning is a method whose effectiveness and safety have been verified for nearly 20 years. It can be a more stable option, especially for sensitive skin or conditions like melasma that can react sensitively to stimulation.

Due to its characteristic of delivering strong energy in a short time, pico toning may, in some cases, cause temporary redness or stinging.

According to numerous clinical reports, when compared using the same 1064nm wavelength, many results have been published indicating no statistically significant difference between the two methods in terms of skin brightening improvement, melasma score reduction, and melanin index reduction.

So, how can one achieve laser toning effects comparable to pico toning?

It is important to consistently repeat laser treatments 10 times or more for cumulative effects.

Energy intensity should be carefully adjusted within the range of 1.0~2.0 J/cm², while observing skin reactions.

A sufficient number of shots, at least 2,000, should be applied in a single treatment.

It is recommended to maintain a treatment interval of 1-2 weeks. If the interval is too long, it may be difficult to achieve the desired cumulative effect.

It is important to receive treatment from experienced medical staff who can adjust in real-time according to individual skin type and reactions observed during the procedure.

If these conditions are met, synthesizing various research results suggests there may not be a significant difference in effectiveness when compared to Pico Toning.

All content mentioned above is based on professional research papers.

References include Medicina (Kaunas, 2022), Lasers in Medical Science (2021), and Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy (2021).

What is Laser Toning?

Laser toning is a treatment method that consistently delivers low-power laser energy deep into the skin, gradually breaking down pigment particles and evening out the overall skin tone.

Unlike conventional methods that directly burn pigments with strong energy, laser toning repeatedly delivers micro-stimuli to the skin, gently breaking down melanin pigments and helping the skin to regenerate itself.

It is a treatment that can be applied to various pigmentary disorders such as melasma, freckles, and acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules (ABNOM), minimizing the burden on the skin. It is currently one of the popular methods for pigment improvement.

1. Commonly Used Laser Type: Q-switched Nd:YAG

Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are mainly utilized for laser toning treatments.

The 1064nm wavelength of this laser can safely reach the upper dermis, where melanin pigments are highly concentrated. This feature allows for selective destruction of pigments while minimizing damage to the skin surface.

By targeting only pigments and reducing the potential for skin barrier damage, it can be applied relatively gently to sensitive or thin skin types.

2. Low Energy and Repetitive 'Tone-Up' Effect

Typical pigment treatments aim to remove pigments in a single session using high-power lasers. In contrast, laser toning uses a method of repeatedly irradiating with low-power lasers thousands of times.

This method reduces damage to skin tissue while gradually and finely breaking down melanin particles. The broken-down pigments are absorbed by our body's immune system, specifically macrophages, and are naturally expelled.

Through this process, skin tone can gradually become more even and clearer.

3. Dendrite (Dendritic Process) Destruction and Intracellular Melanin Removal

Beyond simply removing pigments, laser toning also serves to regulate the melanin production pathway itself.

A crucial part of this action lies in damaging the dendrites (dendritic processes) of melanocytes.

The dendritic process (dendrite) is the pathway that transfers mature melanosomes (melanin carriers) produced by melanocytes to the epidermal layer of the skin.

When the laser damages these dendrites, melanin carriers are prevented from moving to the epidermis. This can help prevent new pigment deposition on the skin surface.

Furthermore, it can be usefully employed to directly break down the melanin pigment accumulated within melanocytes, thereby improving existing hyperpigmentation.

This action is primarily manifested in laser treatments with short pulse durations, measured in 'nanoseconds' or 'picoseconds'.

In other words, it can be understood as an important mechanism of action in treatments such as laser toning or pico toning.

Three Main Principles of Laser Toning Action

Three Main Treatment Principles of Laser Toning

Laser toning aims not just to remove melanin pigments, but to regulate the entire process from melanin production to transport.

1. Removal of Already Formed Pigment Particles

For pigmentary disorders other than melasma, such as freckles or acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules (ABNOM), improvement can be expected by removing melanin with relatively strong energy settings.

However, melasma is highly sensitive to stimulation, requiring more meticulous energy adjustment during treatment. Care must be taken to avoid excessive stimulation, which could activate melanocytes and worsen symptoms.

2. Regulation of Melanosome Transport through Dendrite (Dendritic Process) Damage

By obstructing the migration of melanosomes, produced by melanocytes, to the epidermal layer of the skin, it can help prevent new pigment deposition from occurring.

3. Direct Breakdown of Intracellular Melanin Pigment

The laser directly breaks down melanin pigment located within melanocytes, reducing the amount of melanin and contributing to overall skin tone improvement.

Laser Toning: What Changes Can You Expect?

• First, it can help make your skin tone brighter and more even. As the laser's micro-stimulation gently breaks down melanin pigments, you can expect a gradual brightening of dull skin tone.
• By selectively destroying melanosomes without stimulating melanocytes, this treatment can help alleviate pigmentation in sensitive melasma.
• We can also expect improvement for dermal pigmentation, such as ABNOM (Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules), which lies deeper than melasma, by approaching it with customized intensity.
• By destroying the dendrite branches, which are the migration pathways for pigment, this can help prevent excessive melanin from coming to the surface, thereby contributing to the suppression of pigment production.
• As the laser stimulation aids in skin regeneration, you can also expect the collateral benefits of refined skin texture and softened fine lines.
• By irradiating multiple times with low energy, skin irritation is reduced, allowing even sensitive skin types to consider the treatment relatively comfortably.

Recommended for Laser Toning

• Those concerned about dull and uneven skin tone
• Those who experience recurring or worsening pigmentation such as melasma, blemishes, and freckles
• Those with dermal pigmentation such as ABNOM (Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules)
• Those with thin or sensitive skin who are cautious about pigmentation treatment
• Those who also desire improvement in fine lines or skin texture
• Those who want consistent improvement while minimizing skin irritation

Laser Toning Procedure

• STEP 1. We determine the depth and distribution of pigmentation, which can be difficult to identify with the naked eye, through a precise Mark-Vu skin diagnosis.
• STEP 2. After a 1:1 consultation with the director, a personalized treatment plan is established.
• STEP 3. Laser toning treatment is performed with customized parameters for each individual, confirmed once again with the director before the procedure.
• STEP 4. During the procedure, we check areas that require focused attention while looking in a mirror.
• STEP 5. After the procedure, we review with a mirror again and provide detailed guidance on future progress.

A Message from the Director

I am well aware that many people have suffered for a long time due to pigmentation issues such as melasma or ABNOM.

You might feel anxious, wondering 'Can it really improve?' or 'What if the pigmentation actually gets darker?'

I believe that pigmentation treatment should not be merely a mechanical process.

Therefore, we consider it a crucial principle to delicately examine the skin condition and precisely irradiate only the necessary amount of energy to each area.

The approach must vary depending on the type and depth of the pigmentation, as well as the skin's sensitivity.

Laser toning treatments are performed with meticulous planning and execution to ensure you can expect improvement. We will do our utmost to resolve our patients' concerns.

Post-Treatment Precautions

• You can wash your face and apply makeup from the day of the procedure. It is highly recommended to pay special attention to sun protection.
• Please ensure sufficient soothing and moisturizing care for temporarily sensitive skin.
• Temporary swelling or redness may appear after the procedure, but these usually subside naturally over time. If symptoms persist for several days, it is advisable to contact the clinic for guidance.