It is done in five to ten sessions at two to six week intervals. Pigmentation lightens from the third session, because the body needs time to process and clear the broken-down pigment. Body skin is thicker than facial skin, so the laser reaches pigment less easily and more sessions are needed.

The principle is the same, but body skin is thicker and the area wider, so power and session count are set differently. The face is treated at low power to suit thin skin; the body needs higher power to reach the pigment and is worked zone by zone. It mainly targets friction-darkened areas such as the underarms and knees.

It can darken again if friction continues, because irritation itself is the cause — breaking the pigment down does not stop new pigment forming when the same irritation persists. Reducing friction from tight clothing or posture, and changing how you shave, helps hold the result.