Pigmentation is a popular aesthetic treatment with different technologies available to treat some common forms of pigmentation. These range from topical creams to advanced lasers such as fractional laser, ablative lasers and Q-Switched lasers.
The word pigment means colouring. Pigmentation of the skin affects the colour of the skin. Our skin gets its colour from a pigment called melanin which is produced from special cells within the skin called Melanocytes. When these cells become damaged or unhealthy it can affect the production of melanin. This can either be perceived in patches or across the whole body.
When the body produces too much melanin then the skin will become darker. This is referred to as hyperpigmentation and can lead to conditions such as:
When you body does not produce enough melanin then the skin becomes lighter and is referred to as hypopigmentation can lead to conditions such as:
Factors that affect pigmentation can be things such as:
The complete loss of pigment is known as depigmentation and causes the condition albinism.
Pigmentation is commonly found on the face but can often be associated with the hands as well for which treatment is a common consideration.
The choice on the type of treatment for pigmentation should be discussed with a professional and should also depend on both the cause of the pigmentation and the type of pigmentation.
Some of the most recognised treatments for pigmentation are:
These can be such things as:
2. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels for pigmentation can be characterised into depth of treatment superficial, medium depth and deeper peels.
Superficial peels will use mild acidic substances to exfoliate the top layer of the skin to remove pigmentation and improve the appearance.
Medium depth peels use a stronger form of acid to penetrate deeper into the skin to address more severe cases of pigmentation.
Deep peels use the strongest acid to remove multiple layers of skin to reduce severe pigmentation and dramatically improve the appearance
Microneedling has become increasingly popular for the treatment of pigmentation. With the treatment stimulating collagen production and reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
This is a popular and effective treatment for pigmentation issues. It works by using light at a specific wavelength to stimulate skin cells and reduce the appearance of pigmentation and darker spots.
Red light penetrates deep into the skin, this promotes collagen production and improves the circulation. This will help repair the damaged skin cells and reduce the appearance of the pigments.
Green light targets the melanocytes and by regulating the production of melanin green light therapy can prevent and reduce hyperpigmentation;.
Blue light helps reduce inflation which can make pigmentation worse.
Led therapy is:
IPL or intense pulsed light is a very popular treatment for pigmentation and is non-invasive. It works by using a broad spectrum of light to target specific chromophores or in this case pigmentation in the skin.
IPl can be effective for the treatment of:
IPl Works by using a IPL device to send a broad spectrum of light which is absorbed by the pigmented areas of the skin. The light energy is converted to heat which destroys the pigmented cells. Over time the damaged cells are exfoliated naturally to leave a clearer less damaged skin.
IPL for pigmentation is:
Laser is an effective and very popular method for reducing and dealing with the issue of pigmentation.
It works by targeting the pigmentation on the skin which absorbs the light energy whilst not affecting the surrounding tissue.
The light energy heats up the pigment and shatters it. The pigment is then either removed by exfoliation as it is drawn to the surface or by the body's own natural healing process.
The benefits of laser treatment for pigmentation are:
The consultation process for laser pigmentation treatment would be something similar to this
Initial Consultation:
This will include taking of your medical history and then an assessment of skin to look at the severity and type of pigmentation you are looking at laser treatment for to see if you are a suitable candidate. This will also include determining realistic outcomes and expectations.
Treatment plan:
The clinic where the treatment will take place will recommend the most appropriate treatment and in the case of laser treatment the most appropriate laser to deal with the particular type of pigmentation.
They should be able to give an idea on the number of treatments, timeline of treatment and costs associated with the treatment plan.
Pre-treatment instructions:
This is basically common sense but will be told to avoid exposure to sun and certain skincare products prior to treatment and any medications that may affect the treatment.
Consent:
This will be an explanation of the risks and benefits of the treatment and a signature to say you understand.
Post-treatment:
This will be instructions of how-to care for the skin post treatment and any follow ups for further treatments and to monitor the outcomes. This is crucial to optimise results and limit the risk of complications.
Immediate aftercare generally consists of
Long term care
It's important to ask any questions you have during the consultation process to ensure you fully understand the treatment and make an informed decision.
Different lasers have different recovery times and the more severe the pigmentation the longer the healing time maybe. Also skin reacts differently for individuals so this will also affect recovery time.
A general expectation is
After treatment - Skin maybe red, swollen and crusty
First week – Redness and swelling should stop
Second week – Healing continues and any crusts should flake off
Full recovery can take 4-6 weeks
The number of treatments required for laser pigmentation will depend upon
Most people will require 2-4 treatments which are spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
This will depend upon
It is very difficult to put an actual price of the treatment but can range from a few hundred to a few thousand.
Different lasers can be used for pigmentation treatment and these include:
Q switch laser
These are a popular and effective choice for treating pigmentation. The laser delivers a high-energy pulse of light that shatters the pigment allowing it to be exfoliated naturally.
The key benefits of Q switch lasers are:
Nd:YAG Q switch lasers can be used for darker skin tones and deep-seated pigments
Alexandrite Q switch laser can be used for lighter tones and superficial pigmentation
Ruby laser Q switch was among the first developed but is now used less commonly that Nd:YAG and Alexandrite Q switch laser. Though Ruby lasers are very good at dealing with dark skin pigmentation.
Fractional Erbium and Co2 laser for pigmentation
Fractional lasers are another very effective group of lasers used for pigmentation and these can either be erbium YAG or Co2 laser. They deliver a microscopic beam of light to the skin. The beams create tiny holes in the skin that stimulate collagen production and thus skin renewal. The fractional laser can also be used in an ablative way to actually remove layers of skin and such layers of pigment.
A fractional laser works in 3 ways to help deal with pigmentation
Alexandrite laser for pigmentation
Alexandrite laser are in common use for the treatment of pigmentation issues and are very effective for brown pigments such as:
This is because they emit a wavelength 755nm that is absorbed by melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour.
Alexandrite laser are:
Picosecond laser for pigmentation
Picosecond lasers are a newer form of technology for the treatment of pigmentation especially in the UK. The picosecond laser delivers ultra-short pulses of energy measured in trillionths of a second. This effectively breaks down the pigmented cells.
The benefits of picosecond lasers are:
Laser treatment for sun spots - which are dark, flat patches on the skin caused by excessive sun exposure over time -
Laser treatment for Melasma - is a common skin condition characterised by dark patches on the face, often caused by hormonal changes, sun exposure, or certain medications
Laser treatment for freckles - These small, flat, brown spots are caused by excessive sun exposure.
Laser treatment for age spots - These flat, brown spots are caused by sun damage and typically appear as you get older.
Laser destroys the pigmented cells that cause all these conditions.
The laser is targeted to the pigment and the energy from the laser causes the pigmented cells to break down and then be exfoliated naturally. This process also stimulates collagen product to leave the skin more toned
Types of Lasers mainly used for these treatments are:
The benefits of these laser treatments are:
It is important to look after the skin after these treatments with
Let's look at some direct comparisons against laser treatment with some of the other treatments for pigmentation
Both laser and chemical peels are effective for the treatment of pigmentation. They have different mechanisms of action and suitability for different skin types and different pigmentation.
Benefits of laser are:
Benefits of chemical peels are:
Drawbacks for laser treatment:
Drawbacks for chemical peels:
Both laser and Microneedling are effective for the treatment of pigmentation. They have different mechanisms of action and suitability for different skin types and different pigmentation.
Benefits of laser are:
Benefits of Microneedling:
Drawbacks for laser treatment:
Drawbacks for Microneedling:
Both laser and Topical creams are effective for the treatment of pigmentation. They have different mechanisms of action and suitability for different skin types and different pigmentation.
Benefits of laser are:
Benefits of Topical creams:
Drawbacks for laser treatment:
Drawbacks for Topical creams:
