In tropical Singapore, the intense sunlight makes it challenging to avoid tanning unless proper sun protection measures are taken. While frequent sun exposure is usually the main culprit in darkening your skin, pigmentation issues can also arise due to various internal and external factors.
Understanding these factors and the treatments available is key to knowing how to manage pigmentation. Read on to learn more.
What Is Pigmentation?
Pigmentation refers to the skin’s natural colouring, which is determined by melanin. Melanin is produced by melanocytes in the skin, and the amount of melanin varies based on genetics and ethnicity. Excess melanin production causes hyperpigmentation, while reduced production leads to hypopigmentation. Sun exposure often exacerbates these imbalances, causing dark patches, skin discolouration or uneven skin tone.
What Causes Pigmentation?
Pigmentation can result from a combination of factors:
- Internal factors
- Genetics. This determines natural melanin levels and predisposition to conditions like melasma.
- Hormonal imbalances. Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause can cause pigmentation.
- Medical conditions. Disorders like Addison’s disease, liver diseases or other underlying medical conditions.
- External factors
- Sun exposure. UV rays trigger melanin production, leading to dark spots and sun damage.
- Skin trauma. Inflammation or injuries causing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
- Medications. Certain drugs can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.
Types of Pigmentation
Pigmentation issues manifest in different forms, and these include:
1. Melasma
Melasma, Characterised by dark, patchy discolouration, commonly occurs on the face and is influenced by hormonal changes and sun exposure. It is particularly common in Southeast Asian, South Asian, and Latino ethnicities.
2. Sun Spots (Solar Lentigines)
Flat, dark spots that appear after prolonged sun exposure often develop on the face, hands, and shoulders.
3. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Dark patches that occur following skin injuries, acne vulgaris or inflammation. These spots may fade with time and proper care.
4. Freckles (Ephelides)
Small, light-brown spots are often inherited genetically but darkened by sun exposure.
5. Age Spots (Liver Spots)
Dark patches resulting from ageing and cumulative sun exposure. They commonly appear in sun-exposed areas.
6. Hori’s Naevus
Bluish-grey patches are often seen on the cheeks, caused by melanocytes accumulating in the dermis.
7. Hypopigmentation
Lighter patches of skin due to reduced melanin production. Conditions like vitiligo or skin damage are common causes.
8. Hyperpigmentation
Excess melanin causes skin darkening. It can occur for various reasons, such as sun exposure or skin injuries.
9. Uneven Skin Tone
These are patches of discolouration that are caused by sun damage, hormonal fluctuations, or other lifestyle factors.
8 Methods To Remove Pigmentation
There are various treatments available to address pigmentation, and these include:
1. Laser Treatments
Laser treatment is a treatment that uses laser energy to target pigmentation. Only a skin specialist can control the machine’s intensity and be more precise in targeting the affected areas. The energy released is zapped into the skin, reaching even the deepest layers to break down the pigments. Lasers trigger the body’s natural healing process and help heal any lesions deep within the skin. Laser treatments also encourage collagen production, which helps lighten skin pigmentation.
Different kinds of laser treatments differ in their pulse width, wavelength, and the rate at which they deliver the light beam.
2. Lutronic PicoPlus
It uses ultrashort picosecond pulses to target pigmentation deep into the skin. It uses a focus lens that removes any impurities on the skin’s surface. PicoPlus creates micro-cavities in the targeted area to signal the body to heal itself and encourage natural collagen production.
3. Pro Yellow
It has a higher absorption wavelength of 577 – this allows the blood vessels and Melanin to effectively absorb the laser energy; in turn, pigments are broken down into small particles.
4. Ruvy Touch
It uses a 660 nm laser beam with ultrashort picosecond pulse duration, which helps minimise heat, inflammation, and damage to the surrounding tissues. Side effects are reduced because of the lower absorption of haemoglobin. Ruvy touch uses a red pulse laser energy to target superficial pigmentations such as freckles and age spots.
5. Chemical Peels
Products used for professional chemical peeling contain acids and potent ingredients that effectively reach deep into the skin. These ingredients react to the surface and dissolve its outer layers. The small injuries caused by the chemicals trigger the body’s natural healing response and encourage collagen production.
There are two types of chemical peels: Superficial chemical peels target the outer layers of the skin and require only minimal downtime, while Deep chemical peels contain stronger ingredients that reach deep into the dermis and require more extended downtime.
6. Chemical Peels
Depigmentation creams contain active ingredients that effectively improve skin pigmentation, such as melasma and age spots.
Hydroquinone-based creams and Cysteamine (Cyspera) are two types of medical-grade depigmentation creams.
- Hydroquinone works like bleach on the skin. It decreases melanocyte cells that are responsible for producing Melanin, which is the body’s natural pigment forming the dark spots.
- Cysteamine (Cyspera) is commonly used to treat melasma. Cysteamine, which is naturally present in the body, reduces melanin on the skin’s surface, leading to lighter-pigmented spots.
7. Home remedies
Besides medical treatments, there are ingredients found in your home that may help lighten your pigmentation. Natural ingredients contain active ingredients that can stop melanin production, exfoliate the skin, and treat damage. DIY treatment and masks with the right mixture of ingredients can help lighten dark spots. Just be sure to always do a patch test for sensitivity before applying it to the rest of the affected areas.
8. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
IPL therapy uses broad-spectrum light to treat pigmentation, stimulate collagen, and improve skin texture. Multiple sessions are often required for optimal results.
How To Prevent Pigmentation?
Opt for skincare products that help you reduce the risk of skin pigmentation and help you get rid of them. You can use skin-brightening products that are available in the drugstore – these stop spots from developing into dark spots. Products containing vitamin C, kojic acid, and liquorice contain ingredients that help stop the production of Melanin.
Asking for advice from a specialist may also help. They can identify what skincare products will best suit your skin type and condition.
1. Exfoliate
Opt for exfoliating products containing glycolic acids or retinol. These exfoliate the surface of the skin – removing dead skin cells, including pigmented cells. Speeding up on your skin’s exfoliation can sometimes slow down the melanocytes from producing pigment fast.
2. Do not pick on blemishes
Avoid scratching your skin, popping blemishes, and picking at your skin. Doing so can cause skin pigmentation or worsen the areas that are already pigmented. Touching blackheads, pimples, or even insect bites can trigger inflammation and lead to hyperpigmentation.
No matter how much vitamin three oil you put on that brown scar after picking on a pimple, it won’t go away. This is not a scar; rather, it is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which develops due to injury or trauma to the skin. It is important to leave your blemishes alone and allow them to heal on their own. Medical treatments, such as lasers, can help speed up the healing process of pigmentation caused by blemishes.
3. Skin Checks and Professional Treatment
Having regular skin checkups from a dermatologist will help you quickly address issues that may develop into pigmentation. A specialist will recommend products and treatments to prevent pigmentation. Other medical procedures such as lasers, chemical peels, and medical-grade skin care products may also be prescribed, depending on your condition.
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Skin pigmentation can be a challenge to deal with; this is why doing everything to stop it from developing will be well worth it.
4. Sun Protection
Most skin pigmentations are caused by UV Rays, or if not, they are just made worse by it. Pigmentation is the skin’s first line of defence – so when it’s exposed to the sun too long and feels the UV Rays, the skin produces more melanin to protect itself. This causes sun spots or age spots.
Be sure to use a daily sunscreen with the right skincare ingredients. Sun protection contains active ingredients that help stop melanin production and still protect the skin from damaging UV rays. Also, limit your time spent under the sun, especially at hours when the sun produces too much UV rays and heat.
Common Skincare Ingredients for Pigmentation
The most common ingredients to address hyperpigmentation include:
- Vitamin C
- Kojic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Niacinamide
- Liquorice extract
- Tranexamic acid
Can Pigmentation Be Completely Cured?
Pigmentation may not always be fully cured, but with the right treatments and preventive measures, it can be significantly reduced and managed. Professional treatments, natural remedies and lifestyle changes can help achieve an even skin tone.
Conclusion
It can be challenging to manage pigmentation, but understanding its causes and treatments makes a difference. From professional procedures like lasers and chemical peels to preventive measures like sunscreen and skincare, there are effective ways to achieve a clearer, even-toned complexion.
Lifestyle adjustments such as a balanced diet and proper hydration can further support skin health. Always consult medical professionals for the best treatment plan for your skin type and concerns.
