[Results are not the same] Laser Toning

Our Clinic's Laser Toning Differentiators

• 1. Ensuring Ample Energy with ‘2000 Shots or More’: We do not rush treatments with low output or low shot counts. Our clinic precisely delivers ample energy with 2000 shots or more, maximizing effectiveness while minimizing skin irritation.
• 2. Director's Customized Intensity Adjustment Based on ‘Pigment Depth and Type’: All pigments, including melasma, ABNOM (Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules), and freckles, vary in depth and characteristics. Our clinic applies a gentler approach for melasma, a stronger approach for ABNOM, and different intensities and parameters for each area in cases of complex pigmentation.
• 3. ‘Mirror Check + Real-time Parameter Adjustment’ During Treatment: It's not over after the laser is fired. During the procedure, the director personally monitors your skin's reaction in a mirror and, if necessary, adjusts the spot size, intensity, and even changes the handpiece. We aim for genuine treatment, not just ‘toning’ in name, through meticulously designed 1:1 customized procedures.
• 4. Mark-Vu Diagnostic Device Used → Precise Diagnosis of Pigment Location and Depth: We do not diagnose by guesswork. Using the Mark-Vu diagnostic device, we accurately check the type, distribution, and depth of your pigmentation, and integrate these findings into your treatment plan.
• 5. Multi-Layered Approach for Complex Pigmentation: If you have a combination of melasma and ABNOM, treating only one aggressively can worsen the other. Our clinic employs a strategy of first stably calming the melasma, and then strongly targeting the dermal ABNOM.

Why is Our Clinic's Laser Toning Special?

Laser toning is widely used for treating pigmentary disorders, but the results can vary significantly depending on which machine is used, how many shots are administered, and at what intensity.

Various pigmentary disorders such as melasma, freckles, and ABNOM (Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules) exhibit different depths and tissue reactions, thus requiring precise treatment planning.

1. Minimum of 2,000 Shots or More, Ensuring Ample Energy

The majority of studies report that the safest and most effective treatment for low-output laser toning occurs between 1500 and 2500 shots.

Our clinic fundamentally guarantees 2,000 shots or more, designing treatments to achieve sufficient therapeutic effects without irritating the skin.

Simply operating the machine alone does not change the skin.

Custom adjustments for shot count, output, irradiation speed, and spot size must be made according to the pigment's depth, spread, and skin sensitivity.

2. Director's Customized Toning Adjustment for Each Condition

1) Melasma

Melasma is a representative bilateral pigmentary disorder that spreads across the face.

Since the ‘melanocytes’ that produce melanin pigment are overactive, there is a risk of worsening the condition if stimulated.

Our clinic accurately identifies the extent and depth of melasma using the Mark-Vu skin precision diagnostic device and initiates treatment with a toning laser that has a short pulse duration of 5 nanoseconds.

Our clinic's toning method minimizes side effects by selectively destroying only the melanosomes within the cells, without stimulating the melanocytes themselves.

Even during the procedure, the director personally checks the mirror with you to adjust intensity and focus areas, meticulously fine-tuning handpiece changes or parameter settings to ensure no area is missed.

We perform treatments by checking your skin together in a mirror before, during, and after the procedure.

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

It is a condition located in the dermal layer of the skin, similar to melasma, but requires a stronger intensity than melasma.

In complex cases where melasma and ABNOM coexist, technical treatment expertise is crucial, as opposing strategies – gentle for melasma and strong for ABNOM – are simultaneously required.

Specifically, if strong treatment is initiated without first treating melasma, it can worsen the melasma.

At our clinic, through thorough pre-treatment differentiation and customized treatment planning, we minimize side effects while setting the intensity to ensure ABNOM is also treated.

For ABNOM treatments, after differentiation with Mark-Vu, the director customizes parameter settings, meticulously adjusting spot size, repetition count, and output according to your skin type.

3) Other Pigmentary Disorders

Pigments that respond relatively quickly, such as lentigines, freckles, and blemishes, are easily improved if the wavelength is well-matched; however, treatment becomes challenging when they coexist with melasma or ABNOM.

In these cases, too, a delicate customized strategy involving accurate differentiation, mirror checks during each session, output adjustment, and laser handpiece changes is necessary. At our clinic, unlike conventional standardized laser toning, it is more accurate to view our treatment as the director's customized melanin pigmentation therapy, despite being called ‘laser toning’.

Pico Toning vs. Laser Toning

Pico toning has the theoretical advantage of more finely destroying pigments with short laser pulses in picosecond units.

In contrast, laser toning delivers energy over a slightly longer duration in nanosecond units.

Both toning methods are used to selectively destroy melanin pigments, brighten skin tone, and treat pigmentary disorders such as melasma, freckles, and ABNOM (Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules).

Due to the difference in irradiation time, Pico toning may show a faster response in the initial 2-3 sessions, but both methods exhibit similar whitening effects after 10 or more cumulative treatments.

Laser toning is a method proven for nearly 20 years, and it can be a more stable choice, especially for sensitive skin or conditions sensitive to stimulation like melasma.

Pico toning delivers strong energy in a short time, which may sometimes be accompanied by temporary redness or stinging.

Clinically, when compared using the same 1064nm wavelength, numerous results report that both methods show no significant difference in improving skin brightness, reducing melasma scores, or decreasing melanin index.

Ultimately, to achieve results comparable to Pico toning with laser toning?

Repeated treatments 10 or more times: Cumulative treatment is key.

Appropriate energy intensity: Adjust within the range of 1.0~2.0 J/cm² according to skin reaction.

Sufficient number of shots: A minimum of 2000 shots is required.

Maintain 1~2 week intervals: If treatment intervals are too long, the cumulative effect may decrease.

Customized design: It is important to receive treatment from a practitioner who can make real-time adjustments based on skin type and reaction.

If these conditions are met, a synthesis of various studies shows no difference compared to Pico Toning.

All of the above content used research papers as references.

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

What is Laser Toning?

Laser toning is a procedure that repeatedly irradiates low-power laser energy deep into the skin to gradually break down pigments and evenly refine skin tone.

Unlike high-power treatments that simply burn off pigments, it works by accumulating subtle stimulation to gently break down melanin and induce skin regeneration.

It is a treatment method widely applicable to various pigmented lesions such as melasma, freckles, and ABNOM (Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules) without irritating the skin, and is currently one of the most widely used pigment treatments.

1. Type of laser used: Q-switched Nd:YAG

Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are used for laser toning.

The 1064nm wavelength of this laser can reach the upper dermis where melanin pigment is mainly distributed, and has the advantage of selectively destroying pigments without damaging the skin surface.

It can focus on pigment removal while preserving the skin barrier, making it safe for sensitive or thin skin.

2. Low output, high-frequency 'tone-up' stimulation

While conventional pigment treatments remove pigments all at once with strong lasers, laser toning repeatedly irradiates low-energy lasers thousands of times.

This method minimizes skin tissue damage, gradually breaks down melanin particles, and then induces the body's immune system (macrophages) to absorb and remove them.

As a result, the skin tone gradually becomes more even and clear.

3. Destruction of dendrite myelin sheath + removal of melanin within melanocytes

Laser toning does not just break down pigments, but also suppresses the melanin production pathway itself.

The key to this is the destruction of the dendrites (myelin sheath) of melanocytes.

Dendrites (myelin sheaths) are channels that transmit mature melanosomes (melanin carriers) produced by melanocytes to the outside of the skin, i.e., to the epidermis.

If these dendrites are severed by the laser, melanin carriers cannot exit the skin, and as a result, pigment cannot form on the skin surface.

In addition, it can directly destroy melanin pigment accumulated within melanocytes, making it effective in tidying up existing hyperpigmentation.

This action is only possible with lasers with short irradiation times, in 'nanosecond' or 'picosecond' units.

In other words, it is a core mechanism that only appears in treatments such as laser toning or pico toning.

3 Key Points of Laser Toning

3 Core Treatment Principles of Laser Toning

Laser toning is a treatment that goes beyond simple pigment removal, controlling the entire process of melanin production and transport.

1. Removal of existing pigment particles

For pigmented lesions other than melasma (freckles, ABNOM, etc.), strong parameter settings are used to remove melanin and achieve an improvement effect.

However, melasma is sensitive to stimulation, requiring careful adjustment, and care must be taken not to further activate melanocytes with stimulation.

2. Inhibition of melanosome transport by destroying dendrites (myelin sheath)

Prevents melanosomes produced by pigment cells from migrating to the epidermal layer, thereby blocking hyperpigmentation in advance.

3. Direct destruction of melanin within melanocytes

The laser directly breaks down melanin pigment present inside melanocytes, reducing melanin concentration and inducing a tone-up effect.

Laser Toning Effects

• 1. Tone-up effect that brightens skin tone Fine laser stimulation gently breaks down melanin, naturally clearing dull skin.
• 2. Melasma and Pigmentation Relief By selectively destroying only melanosomes without stimulating melanocytes, even sensitive melasma can be stably treated.
• 3. ABNOM (Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules) Improvement Customized intensity can reach pigmentation deeper than melasma, safely treating dermal pigmentation.
• 4. Blocking Pigment Production to Reduce Recurrence By destroying dendritic myelin sheaths, which are the pathways for pigment, it prevents melanin from emerging and inhibits pigment regeneration itself.
• 5. Smooth Skin Texture with Fine Line and Texture Improvement Laser stimulation promotes skin regeneration, allowing for additional benefits such as refined texture and smoother fine lines.
• 6. Minimal Irritation, Maximum Effect With a method of repeated irradiation at low output, skin irritation is minimal, and even sensitive skin can receive treatment without burden.

Recommended for Laser Toning

• 1. Those concerned about dull and uneven skin tone
• 2. Those who frequently develop and experience worsening melasma, blemishes, and freckles
• 3. Those with dermal pigmentation such as ABNOM (Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules)
• 4. Those with thin and sensitive skin who wish to receive pigmentation treatment
• 5. Those who also desire improvement in fine lines and skin texture
• 6. Those who need consistent skin improvement while minimizing irritation

Laser Toning Procedure Steps

• STEP 1. Mark-Vu precise skin diagnosis to confirm the depth and extent of pigmentation that cannot be determined by only looking at the skin's surface.
• STEP 2. 1:1 consultation and treatment plan setup directly with the director
• STEP 3. Customized parameter setting and laser toning treatment (check with the director in the mirror once more before treatment)
• STEP 4. Mirror check during treatment and re-check of concentrated areas
• STEP 5. Mirror check and progress guidance after treatment

A Message from Our Director

Whether it's melasma or ABNOM, many patients have suffered for a long time due to a single type of pigmentation.

You may also have many anxieties, wondering 'Can this improve?' or 'Will it actually get darker?'

That's why we make sure that pigmentation treatment is not merely a procedure where 'only the machine operates',

but rather, we visually check each part of the skin and adhere to the principle of precisely targeting only what is truly necessary.

Pigmentation requires a completely different approach depending on skin depth and sensitivity.

Laser toning is not a haphazard procedure; we have set up a system where you are sure to see results. We will strive to ensure your improvement.

Post-Treatment Precautions

• ㆍYou may wash your face and apply makeup on the same day after treatment; we recommend paying close attention to sun protection.
• ㆍWe recommend paying extra attention to soothing and moisturizing temporarily irritated skin.
• ㆍSwelling or redness may occur after the procedure, which will naturally subside over time, so please do not worry too much. If it persists for several days, we advise you to visit the clinic.