Laser Treatment For Dark Inner Thighs - What to Know

You can use laser treatment to lighten dark inner thighs. However, there are different kinds of lasers and considerations when choosing what kind of treatment to use. Not all kinds of lasers will work for all skin conditions.

So, to help us all out, I decided to dive right in. Let’s look at:

What laser treatment is,

how it works,
the different kinds,
who can get it,

the expected results,
the process,
and the cost.

Table of Content show

Laser Treatment For Dark Inner Thighs (And Hyperpigmentation)

LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

Lasers are sources of high-intensity light which can be:

Monochromatic – meaning that the light travels in a single wavelength

Coherent – meaning that the light beam waves travel in phases
Collimated – meaning that the light beams travel parallel to each other

Based on the kind of light being used, they can be focused on small or specific areas of skin with very high energy. The melanated cells absorb the light, which heats the cells internally and destroys them.

This technique also helps to prevent too much damage to the surrounding cells, keeping the destruction within the pigmented cells.

How to Choose a Clinic for Laser Treatment

Laser treatments are done at specialized clinics I recommend when looking for a clinic that you:

Do your research – look for clinics that are recognized and well-reviewed so that you know they have a good track record and experience.

Make sure they are legit – look for clinics that are certified and licensed, and whose doctors are also certified and licensed.

Read reviews! – I cannot stress this enough. Read reviews, and reach out to others who have tried the procedure at a specific place. If possible, use places that have worked with people you know personally or that you can talk to.

Scope the place out first – when you choose a few places, it’s perfectly fine to go check them out and even book a consultation before you decide to get the actual procedure done there. This way, you can see how they work, ask all your questions and see whether you feel safe and comfortable.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions – it does not matter how many questions you have or whether you think they are not important. Ask ALL of your questions. Ask how the lasers work, how they clean them, how they prep for the procedure, how their previous treatments have gone, what you can expect and everything else that you need to know. If they cannot answer your questions satisfactorily, you probably should not be getting your laser treatment done there.

Expected Cost Of Laser Treatment For Dark Inner Thighs

The cost of a session of laser therapy for dark inner thighs will depend on a few things:

The size of the area to be treated
The severity of the hyperpigmentation (more severe might mean longer sessions or more sessions)
Type of laser being used

The clinic being used
Preparatory treatments or provisions
Aftercare provisions

However, in general, the cost of laser sessions can start from around USD 150 to $200. They can be more depending on the circumstances mentioned above.

You may also need multiple sessions. How many you will need to see results will vary for every person. Some people see visible results from just one session. Others may need multiple sessions to see the results that they want.

Are the results from laser treatment permanent?

Yes. Once your expected or desired laser treatment results are achieved, they are expected to be permanent.

Remember that lasers produce cell damage. These cells do not repair themselves, regenerate or begin functioning again. However, pigmentation may return depending on the individual’s lifestyle, environment, hormones and ongoing level of sun protection.

Preparing For Laser Treatment For Dark Inner Thighs

Before your laser treatment, you should:

Consult with your doctor about a simplified skincare routine that you should be using at least 2 weeks before the procedure.

Avoid sun tanning and self-tanning products for four weeks
Do not have any treatments, such as waxing, that could irritate your skin for one to two weeks

Cease the use of skin care products with active ingredients such as vitamin A and AHAs for at least 2-3 days (I recommend at least 7 days).
For patients with darker skin, a pigment-lightening cream may be used before and after laser treatment to minimise the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation(this should be discussed with your doctor first)

The Procedure

The procedure itself is very simple and straightforward.

You will first put on protective eyewear (even though this treatment is for your inner thighs, both you and your doctor should still protect your eyes)
Then your clinician will apply a gliding gel to the clean treatment area to maximize the contact between the laser plate and your skin
No topical or local anesthesia is required during the procedure

Your clinician will pass the handpiece over the affected areas in sections until the treatment is complete
Then your skin will be cleaned and an aftercare lotion and sunscreen will be applied

The procedure is also mostly painless. You may feel some heat and tingling that are mildly uncomfortable, but most clinicians will also use a gel with a cooling effect to soothe and protect your skin.

Aftercare

Caring for your skin after treatment is also pretty simple:

Avoid sun exposure and apply a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) sunscreen to prevent further sun damage
Avoid products containing irritants (e.g. vitamin A, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, salicylic acid) for at least one week after treatment

Keep your skincare routine simple (cleanse, moisturize, sunscreen)

Also, make sure that you keep your follow-up appointment so that your doctor can check on your skin and update you on your healing progress. You will also need to know whether you will need more sessions and how soon.

What To Expect After Laser Treatment For Dark Inner Thighs

Immediately After Treatment

Immediately after treatment, you can expect to see some mild redness.

You may also see your pigmentation turn darker. This is normal.

The pigment naturally sheds off the skin’s surface within seven to 14 days depending on the rate of your skin cell turnover.

One Hour After Treatment

Your skin will continue to darken for up to 24 hours. Mild redness may remain but this will gradually go away.

The Next Day

Redness may still be present but will be greatly reduced. The pigmentation that has been treated will still appear darker. This will gradually get lighter within the next two weeks.

Complications/Risks of Laser Treatment

Like all invasive procedures, laser treatment also comes with some risks. These include:

Burns
Scarring
Dyspigmentation (skin gets too light or darker)

Ocular (eye) injury (this is more common in face treatments)
Infection

However, these can be avoided by using lasers suitable for your skin and a technician who is well-trained and experienced.

Best Type Of Laser Treatment For Dark Inner Thighs

Many experts believe that the short pulse laser systems are the best ones to treat hyperpigmentation. This is because they confine their energy to the melanosomes, which are the tiny granules containing melanin inside the pigment cells. So, cell damage is more controlled.

Based on various studies, Intense pulsed light (IPL) has shown promising improvements in the treatment of hyperpigmentation.

Another widely used option for hyperpigmentation is the Q-Switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (QS Nd:YAG) laser.

Pulsed-dye laser or PDL is also believed to reduce melanocyte stimulation by targeting the vascular components in lesions.

Q-switched ruby laser or QSRL has been widely studied for hyperpigmentation; however, its efficacy remains questionable although its mechanism is similar to QS Nd:YAG laser.

And, the erbium:YAG is a laser which ablates skin with the least thermal damage and thus, reduces the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation so is also a good choice.

Choosing The Type Of Laser To Use

The best way to choose the type of laser that would be best for you will be to consult with a dermatologist and laser specialist at a proper clinic.

They will examine your skin, discuss your hyperpigmentation issues and concerns, and consider your skin type and sensitivity. They are the most knowledgeable about how the lasers they use work and about which ones will be best for your skin.

Having professional advice will also prevent or minimize the risks and side effects that can occur with laser treatments, especially on sensitive skin like your inner thighs.

They will also be able to discuss the procedure in detail with you so that you know what to expect during and after it is done. And, you will need proper guidance on preparatory steps and aftercare.