Pigmentation & Age Spots

Every individual's skin contains melanin which determines the pigment of the skin, eyes and hair.  The amount of melanin increases when skin is exposed to UV rays, as melanin is meant to protect our skin from the burns and damages caused by sun exposure. This is pretty unavoidable in Singapore, where it is constantly sunny. Hence, we are more proned to having hyperpigmentation, freckles, aged spots, or melasma over the areas that are highly exposed to the sun such as forehead, cheeks, and nose bridge.  Apart from sun exposure, accumulation of pigments is also affected by hormonal changes, use of certain medications, or skin inflammation. As we age, pigmentation will be more obvious and it will be difficult to tackle if pigments are left untreated for years.

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Pigmentation removal can be achieved by using laser devices or chemical peels. Laser treatments work by overloading the pigmented areas with light energy set at a various wavelength and causes the melanin to breakdown into smaller particles. These particles will then shed away naturally when new skin regenerates.  Multiple sessions of treatment is required to remove pigmentations successfully. Q-switched laser treatment is a non-ablative laser and one will feel prickly sensation all over the face throughout the treatment especially the pigmented areas. Some may notice mild redness, burning sensation and peeling right after laser treatments. However, downtime is rather short, only lasting for a few hours.