There are many inquiries about the differences between Laser Toning and Pico Toning.

 

While we will revisit the discussion of their effects, features, and differences in a future column, in this article, I would like to share actual results from toning procedures at our clinic.

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Diagnosis and Types of Pigmentation
🌟 Solar Lentigines (Sunspots)

 

Solar Lentigines are brown spots caused by UV exposure, appearing as round spots of various sizes. They tend to become darker, especially during the summer.

 

🌟 Age Spots (Actinic Keratosis) are rough, scaly patches that often develop on areas of the skin that have been heavily exposed to the sun over the years. These spots are commonly found in older adults.

 

These are commonly referred to as "age spots," but they resemble solar lentigines in appearance, so differentiation is necessary.

 

A key difference is that age spots (actinic keratosis) feel rough when touched, while solar lentigines (sunspots) have a smooth texture.

 

🌟 Melasma (Chloasma / Hyperpigmentation) is a condition where brown or gray-brown patches appear on the skin, often caused by hormonal changes, and typically affects the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip.

Melasma is characterized by widespread brown pigmentation that appears in specific areas, often on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip.

 

📷 Reference Image (Source: Mayo Clinic)

 

Melasma tends to be distributed around the cheekbones, the center of the forehead, and above the nose.

 

It is often mixed with other types of pigmentation, and since its treatment differs, using the same method as for regular pigmentation treatments can result in side effects.

 

Additionally, depending on the skin color, melasma may not be very noticeable, leading to misdiagnosis and potential side effects from laser treatments.

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How much improvement can be achieved with toning alone?

 

Case 1: Toning + Pigmentation Treatment Program (3 Sessions)

（左）23.06.21 → （右）23.10.03

 

📌 Treatment Details: Our pigmentation removal program (3 sessions)

 

⚠ Laser treatments may cause side effects such as itching, folliculitis, and pigmentation changes.

 

This patient visited the clinic due to concerns about overall dullness and pigmentation on the face.

Especially with a mix of light melasma and solar lentigines, selecting the appropriate energy was crucial in this case.

 

Treatment:
Combination of Revlite Toning and pigmentation treatment program.

After 3 sessions, there was a noticeable tone-up, and visible improvements were achieved.

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Case 2: Age Spots (2 Sessions)

(Left) 23.04.14 → (Right) 23.05.18

📌 Treatment Details: Pigmentation Removal Program + Skin Booster (2 Sessions)

 

⚠ Laser treatments may cause side effects such as itching, folliculitis, and pigmentation changes.

 

In this case, while the pigmentation was noticeable, there were no significant issues with the overall skin tone.

 

Treatment:
Since toning alone would take more time and cost, stronger energy was used for pigmentation treatment.

With 2 sessions, noticeable improvement was achieved in a short period.

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Case 3: Toning Only Treatment (5 Sessions)

(Left) 23.04.21 → (Right) 23.09.12

 

📌 Treatment Details: Revlite Toning (5 Sessions)

⚠ Laser treatments may cause side effects such as itching, folliculitis, and pigmentation changes.

 

This patient visited the clinic due to concerns about overall dullness and solar lentigines.

 

Treatment:
Revlite Toning only treatment.
The overall skin tone became brighter, and the pigmentation visibly lightened.

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Choosing the right energy and combining it with skin boosters is crucial.

 

Since each patient has different types of pigmentation and diagnoses, it is important to use varying energy levels accordingly.

 

✔ Pigmentation that can be quickly treated with high energy
✔ Pigmentation that should be treated slowly with lower energy

 

By making an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan, it’s possible to achieve tone-up, pore improvement, and pigmentation treatment effectively.

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Is Pigmentation Treatment Expensive? No, what's important is the proper treatment!

 

I do not recommend unnecessary treatments aimed at short-term profit.

 

I’ve been surprised to hear many cases from past patients, such as:

🚫 Clinics that recommend unnecessary treatments
🚫 Performing treatments without selecting the appropriate energy, leading to ineffective results
🚫 Charging excessive fees, even when the correct energy is used

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Precautions for Toning Treatment

Toning is a treatment that uses low-output lasers, but if the appropriate treatment intervals and energy levels are not chosen correctly, side effects such as pigmentation or hypopigmentation (uneven skin discoloration) may occur.

 

✔ Especially for melasma treatment, laser toning, like Revlite Toning, can be effective, but careful attention to energy settings is required.

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What We Value

 

We are not "appearance-focused experts" driven by marketing, but instead:

 

✔ We carefully engage with each patient and provide the appropriate treatment.
✔ We offer effective and cost-efficient treatments.

 

We continue to research and share cases among dermatologists to provide the best possible care.

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🔹 Summary (3-line overview)

 

✔ Toning alone can improve pigmentation and skin tone, but it takes time.

✔ It’s recommended to use a cost-effective pigmentation treatment program.

✔ With time, you can receive high-quality treatment without high costs.

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💬 If you have any questions about the treatment, feel free to leave a comment 😊

 

Thank you for reading until the end!

 

 

📍 Primi Clinic
52 Seongsu-ilro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 3F (Primi Clinic)