Types of Pigmentation Treatment
Types of Pigmentation Treatment in Singapore
Pigmentation Treatment
Treatment for pigmentary conditions varies greatly depending on the skin condition and type of pigmentation. What works for freckles may not work for birthmarks and vice versa. At Harmony Aesthetics, our experienced doctors are able to draw up the most suitable treatment plan to effectively target your skin concerns.
Types of Pigmentation Treatment
Medical skincare
Medical skincare refers to topical treatments applied to the skin to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. These skincare products contain blends of strong active ingredients that reduce melanin production while helping to renew skin and clear up existing melanin deposits.
Sunscreen is an essential component of the skincare regime as it helps protect the skin against sun exposure, a major trigger for melanin production. Go beyond UV protection by looking for sunscreens that also shield against harmful Infra-Red and Blue light which contributes to free radical damage.
Medical grade lightening creams generally contain tried and tested ingredients that work in halting the melanin formation pathway – vitamin C, resorcinol, TXC, arbutin and gluthathione. Many of these ingredients are also anti-oxidants which help to combat oxidative damage to the skin.
The difference between medical grade skincare and over-the-counter ones lie in the concentration and potency of ingredients. The former tends to contain much higher concentrations of active ingredients and are therefore more effective. Their usage should however be advised and monitored by your doctor as the increased potency could possibly lead to skin irritation when applied inappropriately.
Prescription only creams and lotions containing controlled ingredients like hydroquinone, retinoids and steroids may sometimes be neccessary for more severe pigementary conditions, and are only available after a consultation with your doctor.
Medical Skincare is commonly prescribed for:
- Freckles
- Age Spots
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Melasma
Oral medication and supplements
Oral medication and supplements help to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production, as well as by blocking the action of certain triggers that may induce excessive pigment production. They usually work by decreasing the amount and/or activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the melanin formation pathway.
Oral TXC is extremely helpful in lightening melasma, as well as in preventing their recurrence. The most common oral supplement ingredient would be glutathione, a naturally-occurring antioxidant. Sunscreen supplements may also be prescribed to reduce damage from sun exposure, which is the main trigger for many pigmentary conditions such as freckles and age spots.
Oral Medication is commonly prescribed for:
- Freckles
- Age spots
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Melasma (reduce recurrence)
Lasers
Lasers are useful in reducing the number of melanin-producing cells that cause hyperpigmentation. At Harmony Aesthetics, we offer different lasers to aid in treating various types of pigmentary conditions.
- The Spectra XT and PicoPlus lasers are able to remove hyperpigmentation while limiting damage to the surrounding tissue.
- The Spectra XT laser offers a wide variety of settings to treat conditions ranging from melasma to tattoo removal. It’s adjustable parameters allow it to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation by breaking melanin into smaller particles while avoiding damage to surrounding tissue.
- The PicoPlus laser fires at rates of up to a few hundred times faster than Q switch lasers. It is therefore able to shatter melanin into even finer particles which can then be more easily removed by the body. It useful in breaking up stubborn pigmentation that has not responded to Q switch lasers.
- The Clarity II laser is a long-pulsed Alexandrite laser which selectively destroys melanin via photothermal action. It is able to target remnant pigments which do not respond to Q switch and Pico lasers.
- The Dual Yellow Laser works in conjunction with other laser treatments to more effectively treat and stabilise melasma. It inhibits melanin production at its source by limiting the formation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VGEF). It also promotes collagen remodelling and skin healing, which helps in lightening post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Lasers are commonly prescribed for:
- Freckles
- Age spots
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Birthmarks
- Hori’s Naevus
- Melasma
Sylfirm
Sylfirm is the latest FDA-approved tool available in treating melasma and preventing its recurrence. It uses SR3 (Selective Regional Regeneration Radio) Repeated Pulse (RP) technology, essentially ultra short pulses of radiofrequency energy emitted via microneedles to target and eliminate abnormal blood vessels. It also normalizes the production of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VGEF), a protein that stimulates pigment formation.
Sylfirm also remodels and strengthens the basement membrane- the layer between the epidermis and dermis- which reduces the chances of melanin moving deeper into the skin, making it harder to treat.
This makes it very effective in stabilising melasma, which is notoriously difficult to treat. Its excellent dermal rejuvenation effects also enhances healing, which helps in lightening post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
The treatment involves little to no downtime and is completed in under 15 minutes, which makes it perfect for those with busy lifestyles.
Sylfirm is commonly prescribed for:
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Melasma