PIGMENTATION

WHAT IS PIGMENTATION?

Pigmentation refers to the colour of our skin. Melanin is what gives colour to our hair, eyes, and skin and is produced by a specialised type of cell known as melanocytes. The more melanin there is in our skin, the darker it will appear.

Skin with pigmentation, determined by the body's melanin production, dictates skin color. Melanocytes in the skin's epidermal layer produce two primary melanin types: eumelanin and pheomelanin. The balance and concentration of these melanin define the skin's color and overall pigmentation characteristics.

WHAT CAUSES PIGMENTATION?

Pigmentation issues arise when melanin production in the body is imbalanced. Excess melanin leads to darker skin, often due to factors like pregnancy, Addison's disease, or sun exposure. Conversely, insufficient melanin production results in lighter skin, with conditions like Vitiligo causing light skin patches. Factors Contributing as follows:
Aging Skin | Science Honey Comb Icon for Treatments

Genetics

Our genetic makeup is responsible for the natural colour of our skin as it determines the number of melanocytes present. Furthermore, it influences how our skin will react following external triggers and stimuli, such as in the case of suffering a sunburn.
Aging Skin | Science Honey Comb Icon for Treatments

UV exposure

Harmful UV rays cause DNA damage within skin cells, corresponding to a type of cellular injury. This stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin in a protective response, resulting in what we recognise as a tan. Severe sun damage can also result in inflammatory changes further contributing to pigment production.
Aging Skin | Science Honey Comb Icon for Treatments

Medications

Certain medications can also cause changes in skin pigmentation and can trigger melasma. Common medications implicated include birth control pills and thyroid medications.
Aging Skin | Science Honey Comb Icon for Treatments

Inflammation

Our imperfect healing processes following cuts, wounds, or acne often result in overactive melanocytes producing abnormal amounts of pigment. Injured skin may appear lighter or darker than surrounding areas during the healing process. While post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can improve over time, this process may be long-drawn and can take weeks or months to resolve without treatment.
Aging Skin | Science Honey Comb Icon for Treatments

Hormonal changes

Fluctuations in hormone levels can predispose to, trigger, or worsen various forms of pigmentation such as melasma. This is particularly common in females going through pregnancy or menopause, although hormone-related pigment changes can occur in either gender.

TYPES OF PIGMENTATION

Each type of pigmentation can be caused by different factors. An accurate and prompt diagnosis is essential and allows for appropriate pigmentation treatments to be performed for optimal results. Some of the common types of pigmentation skin are:
Laser Pigmentation Removal Singapore | IMAGO Aesthetic Clinic

Freckles

Small, flat, brown spots clustered around sun-exposed areas on the face, arms and body.
How to Get Rid of Solar Lentigines | IMAGO Aesthetic Clinic

Solar Lentigines

Also known as sun spots, age spots, or liver spots. These are larger brown spots of increasing incidence with age.
PIH Treatment: Topical retinoids include tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene.

Melasma

Irregular patches of pigments often scattered along the forehead, cheeks and nose, typically influenced by hormonal changes.
What is Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) | IMAGO Aesthetic Clinic

Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

Pigmentation resulting from a localised inflammatory process such as a wound, cut, or acne.

TREATMENTS

Sanitized Environment Icon by IMAGO Aesthetic Clinic Singapore

Topical and oral medications disrupt abnormal pigment production.

Examples: hydroquinone, cysteamine, tranexamic acid
Medical Aesthetic Clinic Singapore Orchard Clinic

Laser therapy for pigmentation break up and reduce existing pigments. Visit Page.

Examples: short-pulse lasers (nano-/pico-second lasers)
Sanitized Environment Icon by IMAGO Aesthetic Clinic Singapore

Microneedling with Radiofrequency. Visit Page.

Microneedling with radiofrequency - improves the health of our skin layers, speeds up recovery for pigmentation removal & clearance, and regulates abnormal blood vessels implicated in pigmentary disorders.

PREVENTION

These are essential before pigmentary conditions even occur.
Picosure Laser Singapore to zit scar and treat bacne scars | The Aesthetics Medical Clinic

Ensure adequate UV protection and appropriate sun avoidance.

Picosure Laser Singapore to zit scar and treat bacne scars | The Aesthetics Medical Clinic

Good skin hygiene practices and appropriate skin care.

Picosure Laser Singapore to zit scar and treat bacne scars | The Aesthetics Medical Clinic

Avoid unnecessary damage to your skin, such as picking at acne.

DOES SKIN PIGMENTATION GO AWAY?

Most dark spots gradually fade away over time, although the process can be lengthy. Skin injuries often result in dark spots or patches, which diminish as the wound heals. The key to reducing hyperpigmentation on face is to avoid further skin injury, allowing the natural fading process to occur.