PIGMENTATION DISORDER

Hyperpigmentation is a common condition that makes some areas of the skin darker than others. “Hyper” means more, and “pigment” means color. Hyperpigmentation can appear as brown, black, gray, red or pink spots or patches. The spots are sometimes called age spots, sun spots or liver spots.

Treatments

The “K-Hyperpigmentation Formulae”

There are many forms of hyperpigmentation, and they are mostly caused by the excess production of dark pigments (melanin) in our skin. The disorder can be classified according to the depth of the pigments in the skin:

Melasma

A skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. May be associated with pregnancy, oral contraceptive hormones, post menopause and sun exposure. Prevention with sun block is a must.

Treatment: Treatments almost always require combination of:

Topical Hydroquinone Cream – a lightening cream for pigmentation

Dual Yellow Laser – It clears the new blood vessels formation that causes Melasma, and/ or;

QS Nd YAG Laser – Effectively helps break up the pigments under the skin.

Freckles

Pigments are usually found in the superficial layer (surface) of the skin. They can be light brownish, yellow tan or slight reddish, and usually susceptible to sun exposure and thus occurs to individuals with light complexion.

Treatment:

Q-switched Nd YAG laser is a treatment that offers better effect, as it breaks up the pigments on the skin surface. Routinely apply broad spectrum sun screen to ensure sustainable result.

Lentigenes

Appear almost similar to freckles but they are slightly larger and most commonly emerge at the previous site of sunburn. They are slightly darker compared to freckles and though the pigments are at superficial level, treatment may take longer than expected due to their size.

Treatment:

Gold standard of treatment is using the Q-switched Nd YAG laser. It employs the same laser treatment as freckles but differ in sizes.

PIH

Also known as Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. A very common scenario and occurs in every one of us. It appears as a flattened, reddish mark due to increased pigmentation after trauma, injury, acne or even just an insect bite.

Treatment:

Dual Yellow Laser – To clear the underlying pigments and blood vessels which helps to alleviate the hyperpigmentation disorder.

Q-witched Nd YAG Laser – To break up the pigments, hence less redness, and return the skin to its normal colour and tone.