Do You Know the Type of Skin Pigmentation You Have?

Skin pigmentation is a skin condition which occurs when the skin produces melanin excessively and you will see patches of your skin turning into a darker shade. Melanin is produced by melanocytes and acts like a shield for the skin cells to protect against sun and damages of UV-rays. The UVA and UVB beams are some of the major contributors to sun spots, age spots and premature skin aging.

There are several types of skin pigmentation. It is crucial to identify the type you have so you can choose the right skin treatments to tackle it effectively.

Epidermal pigmentation

Pigmentation most commonly occurs in the epidermis, and these include sun spots, freckles and age spots. They can be identified as light brown spots with well-defined margins.

Dermal pigmentation

When melanin occurs deeper into the dermis, it becomes dermal pigmentation which includes post-inflammatory pigmentation and acne scars. As compared to epidermal pigmentation, they appear hazier under the skin and do not have well-defined margins. 

Mixed pigmentation

Melasma is a common pigmentation problem faced by many, caused by the overproduction of the pigment melanin. It causes brown to gray-brown patches that appear especially on the cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose and upper lip. It can be harder to treat and takes more time, due to the depth of the melanin pigments in dermal and mixed melasma.

How to Treat Pigmentation

Epidermal pigmentation is more superficial and can be slightly reduced with topical creams and facials, however it can be a long-drawn process and the pigmentation will only appear lighter. Your mileage may also vary especially if you are unsure on the kind of pigmentation you have without seeing an aesthetic doctor in Singapore.

Dermal pigmentation, however, is untreatable on the surface level and requires laser treatments to penetrate the top layer of the skin.

Laser Treatments for Pigmentation

Picocare 450 lasers distribute energy through fine laser beams in short bursts that penetrate below the skin, disrupting the pigment-containing cells within the skin. This results in fading and clearing of the targeted area. The energy can also help to rebuild the skin’s collagen and improve its surface.

Q-switched lasers generate a non-invasive high-energy laser pulse at specific wavelengths to remove unwanted marks and spots. The pigments are broken down into smaller fragments and cleared away naturally by the body. Aside from sun freckles and age spots, it is also a popular choice for acne scar removal in Singapore.

Vbeam Laser Treatment is a pulsed-dye laser that delivers an intense yet gentle pulsed laser energy to the skin that safely treat a number of skin conditions such as birthmarks, spider veins, stretch marks and broken capillaries. It targets the blood vessels with a gentle heating effect and uniform coagulation. This multi-tasking laser is also effective as an acne treatment to remove stubborn scars left by cystic acne and rejuvenate the skin.

Fraxel Dual delivers highly refined laser beams in two wavelengths to treat a whole range of skin problems such as pigmentation, stretch marks, wrinkles and acne scar removal. Both lasers work to penetrate the top layer of the skin while stimulating cell rejuvenation.

These laser treatments are also available at The Clifford Clinic in Singapore. You can consult with our doctor on which treatment is more suited to your needs. It is important to receive professional assistance and expertise to correctly identify the kind of pigmentation you have, so you can have the right treatment that is tailored to your specific needs. Book your appointment at The Clifford Clinic today.