Skin Pigmentation Types and Treatments

If you’re feeling slight insecurities about dark spots or pigmentation on your skin — you’re not alone.

More than 58% of Singaporean women aged 35 to 44 stated that pigmentation and dark spots were their primary skin concerns.

In fact, skin pigmentation can affect more than just your confidence — severe cases of pigmentation, such as vitiligo, can cause issues such as being judged and losing job opportunities.

That said, skin pigmentation isn’t as doom and gloom as it sounds!

In this article, we’ll cover what are different types of skin pigmentation, why it happens and the types of hyper pigmentation treatments, pigmentation treatments or melasma treatments you can find in Singapore!

What exactly is skin pigmentation? 

Pigmentation essentially indicates areas of the skin that have become darker in colour than the surrounding skin. It can often result in a patchy or uneven appearance when compared.

Most form of skin pigmentation can be attributed to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays (although there are more causes as explained below).

In fact, by the time we are teenagers, the average Singaporean would have experienced a high degree of sun exposure due to our climate!

This is compounded by the fact that from the age of 25 and onwards, our skin begins to age faster, revealing underlying pigmentation.

Any condition that causes inflammation of the skin (such as acne, boils or burns) can also cause over activity in melanocytes and increase in pigment levels.

 What are the types of skin pigmentation?

Skin pigmentation types can be categorised into three categories:

• Epidermal (superficial) pigmentation – these pigmentation types are usually close to the surface of the skin and are induced by sun exposure and include age spots, solar lentigos, freckles, and cafe-au-lait macules.
• Dermal (deep) pigmentation – these pigmentation types are usually found in the dermal layers, and include Hori’s Macules, and Nevus of Ota.
• Mixed dermal/epidermal pigmentation – these pigmentation types traverse through both the superficial and deeper layers of the skin. Melasma is an example of this. It results in symmetrical, brownish patches on the face.

 What causes skin pigmentation?   

Pigmentation or hyper pigmentation occurs when the melanocytes in the deeper layers of the skin produce a skin-darkening pigment known as melanin.

If melanin is over-produced, it may result in darker skin patches appearing on the skin’s surface.

Pigmentation can manifest in many ways as mentioned above. While it is common knowledge that excessive exposure to the sun is the main cause, there are other factors that cause skin pigmentation to appear, such as:

• Genetics
• Skin type
• Injury to the skin (including burns and post-treatment inflammation)
• Use of inappropriate products on the skin (such as alcohol in fragrances)
• Hormone imbalances
• Pregnancy
• Some illnesses and medications
• Acne and acne scarring

What treatments are available for skin pigmentation of all types? 

Firstly, treatments for different types of skin pigmentation will differ from one another.

For example, due to the unique nature of melasma, it is more difficult to treat compared with most other types of pigmentation.

Melasma can be slow to respond to treatment and may need more sessions of laser treatments before lightening effects are observed.

Furthermore, melasma may still return after treatment, hence needing routine treatment for maintenance.

That said, at SL Aesthetic Clinic, we have a range of treatment options for hyperpigmentation.

Some of our effective treatments that have found success for Singaporeans include:

• Pico Pigmentation Laser
  The Pico Laser is a proven way to treat skin pigmentation.
  
  This laser shatters the skin pigmentation into smaller fragments that can then be removed by your body’s immune system!
  
  Some of the conditions treatable by Pico Lasers include:

Epidermal (Superficial) Pigmentation

• Solar Lentigo (Sunspots, Age spots, Liver spots)
• Freckles
• Seborrhoeic keratosis
• Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (Moles)
• Dyschromia (uneven skin tone)

Dermal (Deeper) Pigmentation

•  Melasma
• Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
• Hori’s Nevus
• Nevus of Ota
• Tattoos

• Hydroquinone Depigmentation Cream
  Hydroquinone is a skin-whitening agent that is also present in plants and animals. It is used topically to lighten areas of darkened skin or hyperpigmentation.

• Chemical peels (such as the Cosmelan Peel)

The Cosmelan System is a type of chemical peel that is formulated as part of a depigmentation treatment programme.

Developed by the cosmeceutical firm Mesoestetic®, the Cosmelan Peel is effective against:

• Melasma
• Brown Spots
• Blotchy Skin
• Hyper-pigmentation
• Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (PIH)

Get started with pigmentation treatments for hyper pigmentation and melasma at SL Aesthetic Clinic

Like it or not, your skin is often the source of your confidence. When you wake up with great skin in the morning, it’s hard not to stay upbeat and positive throughout the day!

That’s why you should start your journey to an even skin tone today. If you’re self-conscious about any sign of pigmentation of your skin, we’re here to help.

With our panel of medically-trained and certified doctors recognised by the Singapore Medical Council’s Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee (APOC), you’re in safe and able hands!

Visit SL Aesthetic Clinic or call us at +65 9850 71112 to start your journey to the skin you desire and deserve!