Hyperpigmentation, commonly known as pigmentation or dark spots, simply means the area of the skin appears darker than it should be. It can appear as small patches or may cover an entire body area and affect one’s self-confidence.
Melanocytes, the pigment cells of the skin, produce melanin distributed evenly throughout the epidermis giving the natural skin colour. When trauma, inflammation, hormonal changes, or extended sun exposure happens, the pigment can over-produce, forming “clumps” of hyperpigmentation. It can appear as small patches or may cover an entire body area and affect one’s self-confidence.
While genetics and hormones play a part in hyperpigmentation, in most cases, it is caused by skin inflammation and sun exposure. When the skin is inflamed or overexposed to the sun, the skin produces extra melanin that makes the skin look darker than usual.
Common types of hyperpigmentation include :
Melasma
Caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy
Sun Spots
Caused by excess sun exposure
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Frequently associated with skin inflammation such as acne spots and blemishes.
Addison’s disease
An adrenal gland disorder that can also increase melanin production causing hyperpigmentation. Additionally, side effects of medications, antibiotics, or chemotherapy treatments can lead to hyperpigmentation.
Other causes of hyperpigmentation also include folliculitis, ingrown hair, childhood scars, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, fungal infections, rashes, waxing, insect bites, and harsh skin products.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure and tanning beds.
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 and broad spectrum to protect against UVA and UVB rays daily, even on overcast days.
• Avoid sun exposure in the middle of the day when UV rays are strongest.
• For those prone to hyperpigmentation, avoid picking or touching acne spots, wounds, or cuts to reduce the chances of developing post-inflammatory dark spots.
There are various types of hyperpigmentation, and they do not all respond to the same treatment. A correct diagnosis is essential in the prescription of the right treatment.
At Amaris B. Clinic, we practise personalised medicine, where we tailor your treatment, based on your unique skin condition, according to skin goal and progress.
When you embark on the skin transformation journey with us, you can be assured that our doctor will only recommend treatments based on what you need clinically to optimally treat your hyperpigmentation.
Our doctor may propose a combination of these treatments or one on its own, depending on the state of your skin health and clinical condition:
• Tranexamic Acid
• Dr’s prescribed skincare range
• Medical Grade Chemical Peels
Chemical Peel is a safe, relatively affordable, non-invasive method to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
There are three types of peels: superficial, medium-depth, and deep.
Superficial Peels
Penetrates only the epidermis. It can be used to treat acne, melasma, and photo-damaged skin.
Medium-depth
Penetrates the epidermis and papillary dermis. Used to treat superficial scars and certain pigmentary disorders.
Deep Peels
Affects the reticular dermis. Used to treat severe photo-ageing, deep wrinkles, or scars
Our doctor will assess your skin condition during the consultation. He will also evaluate your general health status, the medications you are taking for example, oral isotretinoin, if you smoke, have had previous cosmetic procedures or chemical peels done, if you have recurrent herpetic outbreaks, or if you have the tendency for keloid formation, etc. After which, based on your skin goals and clinical condition, he will propose a suitable type of peel for you.
During the treatment, a chemical exfoliating agent (with an active ingredient) is applied to the skin to destroy portions of the epidermis and/or dermis while promoting healthy cell turnover.
Chemical Peel improves hyperpigmentation and brightens the skin, giving it more radiance. It may be combined with Picolaser and microdermabrasion skin renewal to further optimise the results.
Picolaser to treat hyperpigmentation
Picolaser delivers extremely short pulses of energy into the skin to break up the pigmentation into microscopic particles, allowing your body to remove them naturally over time.
In Singapore, the Ministry of Health tightly regulates treatment such as lasers. Only registered and certified medical doctors with adequate training can perform the treatment. Dr Ivan Puah obtained a Graduate Diploma in Family Dermatology from NUS. He has over 17 years of clinical experience treating various skin conditions such as tattoos, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, etc.
Picolaser is indicated clinically to treat:
• Freckles
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Solar lentigines
• Melasma/chloasma
• Post-acne pigmentation
• Age Spots
• Computer Radiation Spots
• Uneven skin tone
• Cafe-au-lait
• Birthmark
• Skin dyspigmentation
• Blue Hyperpigmentation
• Blue or grey facial patch
FDA-approved and CE-marked, Amaris B. Clinic Picolaser’s ultrashort pulses and the wavelengths work simultaneously to disintegrate pigmentation while reducing the amount of heat delivered to the skin. As a result, the laser energy penetrates deep into the targeted skin area without causing damage to the skin surface. This also translates to a faster recovery for the patient.
Picolaser targets hyperpigmentation and stimulates collagen reproduction. It can be used to rejuvenate the skin and improve skin tone and texture. It may be recommended as a stand-alone treatment or combined with other non-invasive options such as microdermabrasion or chemical peel.
Microdermabrasion Skin Renewal
Microdermabrasion skin renewal uses a minimally abrasive handheld instrument to gently exfoliate and “sand” off the upper layers of the skin. It targets dead skin cells while leaving the viable skin alone. Therefore, it is used to treat scarring, discolouration, and sun-damaged skin and lessen the appearance of stretch marks. It is not painful; there is no downtime and the patient can return to normal activities without disruption.
Microdermabrasion Skin Renewal can also remove blackheads, improve hyperpigmentation, reduce enlarged pore sizes, and treat acne and acne scars.
This non-invasive treatment does more! It also reduces fine lines and helps to “thicken” your collagen and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a fresher and younger-looking complexion.
Wanting to proceed with Hyperpigmentation treatment is a personal decision. We provide personalised treatments based on your unique clinical condition.
If you have tried various methods to tackle your pigmentations but are not achieving the result you yearn for, we recommend you come for a consultation and assessment with Dr Ivan Puah to understand how our Hyperpigmentation treatment can address your concerns.