Aerolase Neo Elite Pricing in Toronto
Each Aerolase session is booked individually, so you only pay for what you need. For current per-session and package pricing, see our price list. We confirm your plan and total in writing at your consultation, after we identify your pigment type and Fitzpatrick type.
Aerolase hair removal is priced separately by body area. See our full price list for current rates.
The Quick Answer: Aerolase for Hyperpigmentation in Toronto, May 2026
Hyperpigmentation isn’t one condition, it’s a family of conditions (sun spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, freckles, hormonal pigment) with different causes, depths, and response profiles. Aerolase Neo (1064 nm Nd:YAG, 650 microseconds) is the laser most likely to treat all of them safely across Fitzpatrick I-VI. At Bar Beauty Medical (46 Fort York Blvd, CityPlace) you can see our price list for current hyperpigmentation session and package pricing. Most patients need 4-8 sessions spaced 3-4 weeks apart; melasma and dermal pigment may require the higher end. Treatment is paired with mineral SPF 50 daily and (often) a tyrosinase-inhibitor topical. The single biggest predictor of result is type of pigment, not provider experience, this page walks you through how to identify which kind you have.
The Five Types of Hyperpigmentation (And Which Respond to Aerolase)
| Type | Cause | Depth | Aerolase Response | Sessions Typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar lentigines (sun spots) | UV cumulative damage | Epidermal | Excellent (70-85%) | 3-5 |
| Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) | Acne, eczema, injury | Epidermal-dermal | Strong (50-75%) | 4-8 |
| Melasma (hormonal) | Estrogen, sun, vascular | Mixed epi-dermal | Moderate (40-70%) | 6-8 |
| Freckles (ephelides) | Genetic + UV | Epidermal | Excellent on Fitz I-III | 1-3 |
| Hori’s macules / dermal melanocytosis | Genetic, mostly East Asian | Dermal | Variable (30-60%) | 6-10 |
| Drug-induced hyperpigmentation | Minocycline, certain SSRIs | Dermal usually | Limited (20-50%) | 6-10 |
The simplest at-home test: stretch the skin and see if the pigment lightens (epidermal, responds well) or stays the same (dermal, responds less). A Wood’s lamp examination at consult gives a clearer answer.
How Aerolase Works on Hyperpigmentation (The Mechanism)
Aerolase delivers a 650-microsecond pulse of 1064 nm light, which is selectively absorbed by melanin clusters (melanosomes) below the surface. The short pulse generates a photoacoustic effect that mechanically shatters the melanosome, without bulk-heating the surrounding skin. The fragments are cleared over the next 2-4 weeks by your immune system (specifically, dermal macrophages).
For PIH and melasma, Aerolase additionally coagulates the dermal vasculature feeding inflammation. That’s the part most other pigment lasers miss, and it’s why PIH and melasma rebound under tools that only address surface pigment.
Critically, the 1064 nm wavelength has roughly 10× less melanin absorption than the 532 nm or 755 nm wavelengths used by older Q-switched and Alexandrite lasers. That low surface absorption is why Aerolase can be used on Fitzpatrick IV-VI without causing PIH itself. Older “pigment lasers” treated the spot but created a new spot in the surrounding skin, especially on darker complexions.
Fitzpatrick Safety Across All Six Types
| Fitzpatrick Type | Heritage | Q-switched 532 nm Safe? | IPL Safe? | Aerolase Safe? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I, Very fair | Northern European | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| II, Fair | European, Scandinavian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| III, Medium | Mediterranean | Caution | Caution | Yes |
| IV, Olive | Middle Eastern, South Asian, Latin | Not advised | Not advised | Yes |
| V, Brown | South Asian, Filipino, Latin, North African | Not safe | Not safe | Yes |
| VI, Deeply pigmented | African, Caribbean | Not safe | Not safe | Yes |
The clinical reality: PIH disproportionately affects Fitzpatrick IV-VI patients (because their skin produces more pigment in response to inflammation). The traditional pigment lasers most clinics carry, 532 nm Q-switched, IPL, Alexandrite, are unsafe on exactly the patients who need treatment most. Aerolase closes that gap.
What an Aerolase Hyperpigmentation Session Looks Like
- Cleanse + Wood’s lamp mapping (4 min). Identifies pigment depth and patterns invisible to the naked eye. Critical for treatment planning.
- Standardised photography. Same lighting, same angle, every visit.
- Aerolase pass, broad pigment protocol (6-8 min). Full-face passes at pigment settings.
- Targeted lesion passes (3-5 min). Stacked pulses on discrete lentigines and densest patches.
- Cool mist + mineral SPF 50 (3 min). Mandatory before leaving.
Total: 20-25 minutes. No bleeding, no scabbing, no peeling. Pink for 30-60 minutes; back to baseline by end of day. Makeup allowed same day.
The Topical Stack: Aerolase Is Half the Treatment
Any clinic selling Aerolase as a standalone pigmentation cure is overselling. The other half is at-home pigment management. Our standard hyperpigmentation protocol pairs Aerolase with:
- Mineral SPF 50+ daily, indoor included. Visible light triggers pigmentation in Fitzpatrick IV-VI. Chemical SPF alone is insufficient.
- Tyrosinase inhibitor. Cysteamine 5% (preferred modern alternative to hydroquinone), tranexamic acid 3%, or kojic acid. Cysteamine has the strongest evidence in 2026.
- Niacinamide 5-10%. Reduces pigment transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes.
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid 10-20%). Antioxidant; brightens; pairs with SPF.
- Avoid retinoids and acids during active flares. They thin the barrier and worsen sensitivity.
Why Some Hyperpigmentation Doesn’t Respond Well
- Deep dermal pigment. Hori’s nevus, ochronosis, drug-induced pigment may take 8-12 sessions and only achieve partial response.
- Active inflammatory driver. Untreated acne, eczema, or rosacea fuelling new PIH faster than Aerolase clears old pigment.
- Sun-exposure compliance. Skipping SPF after sessions reverses progress within weeks.
- Wrong indication. Vitiligo and ash dermatosis are hypopigmentation, not hyperpigmentation. Aerolase will not help and may worsen.
HSA, CRA
PIH following an underlying medical condition (acne, eczema, surgery) often qualifies as a medical expense under HSA plans. Pure cosmetic sun-spot removal usually doesn’t.
Aerolase Across the GTA
Bar Beauty serves patients across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, and Etobicoke.
What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Hyperpigmentation?
It depends entirely on which kind of pigment you have, and that is the part most marketing skips. Sun spots and freckles respond quickly to laser. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation responds well to laser plus a good topical routine. Melasma is the difficult one: it is driven by hormones and heat, it sits deeper, and it comes back if you push too hard, so the most effective plan there is conservative laser settings combined with daily tyrosinase-inhibitor topicals and strict sun protection, not aggressive single sessions. For most mixed cases, the honest answer is a combination: Aerolase for the pigment that lifts cleanly, the right topical stack for the rest, and SPF every day. We map your pigment type at the consultation and tell you which parts will respond and which will not.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Aerolase sessions for hyperpigmentation?
4-6 for sun spots and freckles; 6-8 for PIH and melasma; 8-10 for deep dermal pigment. Maintenance every 8-12 weeks.
Will Aerolase clear my dark spots completely?
Solar lentigines on fair skin: often near-complete clearance. PIH and melasma: 50-75% reduction typical with maintenance.
Is Aerolase safe on Black and brown skin?
Yes. Aerolase is FDA-cleared for Fitzpatrick I-VI, one of the few defensible pigment lasers for darker skin.
How long until I see results?
Solar spots: visible change at session 2. PIH and melasma: session 3-5 typically.
Can I use Aerolase with hydroquinone?
Yes, but in 2026 most providers (including us) prefer cysteamine over hydroquinone for long-term use. Both pair well with Aerolase.
What about hyperpigmentation on hands and decolletage?
Yes, Aerolase works on hands, decolletage, neck, arms. Body skin often needs more sessions than the face because cellular turnover is slower.
Does Aerolase work on Hori’s nevus or dermal pigment?
Partial response only. Realistic outcome: 30-60% improvement over 6-10 sessions. We’re honest about this at consult.
Can Aerolase treat freckles I want to keep some of?
Yes, targeted per-lesion treatment lets you keep most freckles while clearing specific ones. For pricing, see our price list.
Can hyperpigmentation be treated permanently?
Some types, yes. Sun spots and freckles that are cleared tend to stay gone as long as you protect your skin from UV, since new sun exposure makes new spots. Post-inflammatory marks usually clear and do not return unless the original cause (acne, picking, eczema) flares again. Melasma is the exception: it is a chronic, hormonally driven condition that can be controlled and significantly lightened but tends to recur, especially with sun and heat, so it needs ongoing management rather than a one-time fix. Daily mineral SPF is the single biggest factor in keeping results.
What’s the difference between Aerolase and a Q-switched laser?
Q-switched lasers (especially 532 nm) work faster on superficial sun spots but are unsafe on Fitzpatrick IV-VI. Aerolase is safer, slightly slower on lentigines, more effective overall on PIH and melasma.
How much does Aerolase hyperpigmentation treatment cost in Toronto?
Pricing depends on how many areas you treat and whether you book single sessions or a package. For current hyperpigmentation pricing, see our price list.
Book a Free Hyperpigmentation Consultation
Free 20-minute consult including Wood’s lamp depth mapping, Fitzpatrick assessment, and pigment-type identification. Book at barbeauty.ca/book or call 416-923-1200.
Booking Your Consultation at Bar Beauty Medical
Every Aerolase for pigment journey at Bar Beauty Medical begins with a complimentary 30 to 45 minute consultation. You will meet the clinician who will perform your treatment, review your medical history, have your skin analyzed under medical-grade lighting, and leave with a written, itemized plan and quote. There is never any obligation to book on the day. Most patients take the plan home, sleep on it, and book within 48 hours.
To book, call our CityPlace clinic at 46 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, use our online booking, or send a contact form. We respond to all inquiries within one business day, often the same day. We see patients from across the GTA, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, North York, Scarborough, Oakville, and Brampton, as well as out-of-town visitors from across Canada and the US.
See also: our full guide to Aerolase laser treatment in Toronto.
Related at Bar Beauty: Hyperpigmentation Treatment in Toronto.