GOLD TONING (GT)

Post-acne Red Spot Treatment

What is GOLD TONING (GT)?

Post-acne erythema
  • Used to improve the red marks remaining after acne (aka PIE or post-inflammatory erythema), by reducing the blood vessels and inflammation
  • Uses 595nm wavelength which targets mainly hemoglobin (in red blood cells)
  • Can be combined with Clarity Toning to improve on complex post-acne discoloration
What is GOLD TONING (GT)?
How Does It Work?

Gold Toning is a NON-ABLATIVE laser treatment which means that it does NOT burn the outer layer of skin, therefore preserving the outer layer of skin. There is very minimal pain experienced and NO downtime for the recovery process.

Gold Toning uses the 595 nm (“yellow”) wavelength to lighten redness or red spots that might linger and remain after acne lesions resolve. It helps by targeting the haemoglobin in blood that is inside blood vessels. These abnormally enlarged blood vessels are one of the main causes of redness in that affected area. This eventually plays a significant role in controlling the microvasculature through photobiomodulatory activities.

This type of “laser toning” method is more commonly done in Asian countries and involves the use of a Q-switched (QS) Nd:YAG laser at a lower intensity every 1-2 weeks.

Is Gold Toning Painful?

Due to it being a NON-ABLATIVE laser and done at lower intensities, it is very gentle on the skin. Any pain experienced will be very minimal, leaving NO need for numbing cream. Do note that it is common to feel heat and a light prickling feeling during the treatment.

What Can I Expect During My Treatment?

Your eyes will first be protected with metal goggles. Then our aesthetic doctor will begin treatment by gently applying the laser energy to your skin without any part of the making in physical contact with your skin. You may experience some heat and mild prickling sensations during the laser. During each session, the laser is passed multiple times over the areas being treated.

After the treatment, you will be brought back to your private room for post-care treatment to cool and calm the skin before you leave our aesthetic clinic in Singapore.

Is There Any Downtime?

Due to it being a NON-ABLATIVE laser and done at lower intensities, there is NO downtime.

You may experience more redness in the treated areas that should resolve within a few hours or 1-2 days depending on your condition. However, there is no requirement for you to stay indoors or avoid cosmetic application after the treatment. (Again, this is a NON-invasive treatment so no needles, no blood, no crusting after the treatment.) You can return to work, apply makeup and resume most of your activities immediately, though it is advised to avoid exercise 1-2 days before and after the treatment. For best results, our aesthetic doctor recommends clients to avoid excessive, prolonged sun exposure before and after the treatment.

What Aftercare Do I Need At Home?

There is no special aftercare needed in terms of topical applications. The most important thing to avoid is UV radiation from sun exposure, especially immediately after the procedure. Do note that even weeks or months after the procedure, it is well-advised to avoid prolonged sun exposure even with sunblock applied. Depending on your skin condition and sun exposure, you may develop darker pigmentations in the treatment areas. You are advised to apply sunblock every 1-2 hours when outdoors and avoid outdoor exposure especially during the peak sunlight hours of the day.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

Treating redness of the skin via Gold Toning is a gradual process that requires multiple sessions and efforts to produce effective and long-lasting results. The number of sessions required depends on various factors including the severity of your redness. Our aesthetic doctor will advise you more on the treatment course that is right for your skin condition during the consultation. Typically it takes between 6-10 treatments for the lightening results to be more obvious assuming that your skin is protected from extensive UV radiation and that the treatment is done at recommended intervals. Once your treatment goals are met, GT can be done at monthly intervals for maintenance purposes.

Is Gold Toning Safe?

Due to the type of laser and the settings used for Gold Toning, it is one of the mildest laser treatments that can be done in a clinical setting. As with any procedure, there is always a risk of skin irritation which can lead to itchiness, redness or mild swelling after the laser. Prolonged sun exposure may lead to darkening of the skin.