Get Rid of Pigmentation, Uneven Skin Tone

Get Rid of Pigmentation, Uneven Skin Tone

15 Min Read – We all desire to have evenly coloured skin or some of us, fairer skin. Do you know skin colour is caused by the production of melanin in your skin? Sometimes for some of us, our skin produces melanin unevenly resulting in patches of different colours on our arms or different parts of the skin.

People who live in warmer climates usually reside around the equator and also tend to receive more sunlight and as a result, our skin naturally produces more melanin due to this sun exposure as a defense mechanism our body exhibits due to the extra ultraviolet rays. But sometimes our skin cells are responsible for this, melanocytes do not produce melanin in equal quantities and that results in patches of different colored skin. Although there are a few different conditions that can cause this such as genetics, environment, aging, burns, drug use etc hyperpigmentation can be treated although this is dependent on the severity of the condition.

Hyperpigmentation can include Melasma, Age Spots, Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) and results in uneven darker patches of skin compared with the surrounding skin. This should not be confused with overall skin whitening to treat evenly dark skin (has more melanin) to become whiter in colour.

“Hyperpigmentation should not be confused

with overall skin whitening”

Usually, on its own, hyperpigmentation is generally harmless but there are certain things we do that can prevent pigmentation from getting worse. Here in this post, we look at how to:

• Stay out of the sun
• Melasma

Out of the Sun – Preventive Tips

It might seem difficult especially in Singapore but when out under prolong sun exposure, even though briefly, always remember to use a multi-spectrum sunblock or sunscreen. But what’s the difference between the two?

Sun Block

Sunblocks reflect harsh sun rays from your skin by ‘blocking’ the rays, preventing them from penetrating your skin, and is sometimes referred to as physical sunscreen.

• Sunblocks usually consist of either titanium oxide or zinc oxide. Sun Blocks have a thicker viscosity and are therefore harder to spread all over the body.
• Works by literally acting as a shield, blocking the sun’s rays from coming into contact with your skin.
• Requires no rubbing, just apply on skin.

Sun Screen

Sunscreens as the name imply, screens, filter out UV rays but let in certain rays and is also referred to as a chemical sunscreen. Sunscreens usually consist of oxybenzone or avobenzone and work by absorbing rather than blocking out UV rays before they reach your skin.

• Some sunscreens may include chemicals like Para Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) that some people are sensitive to.
• Works by combining different organic compounds to start a chemical reaction absorbing UV light and converting it into heat that is absorbed by the body.
• Requires rubbing into the skin.

Both Sun Blocks and/or Sun Screens should do the following:

• Protects against UVA and UVB rays and are mostly labeled as ‘multi-spectrum’.
• Has at least an adequate Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 or more.
• Protects against blue light or High-Energy Visible Light (HEV).
• Water-resistant – Since you’ll very likely be at water or near water venue under the sun.

Crystal Tomato Beyond Sun Protection

Get full protection with our multi-spectrum Crystal Tomato Beyond Sun Protection at a whopping SPF 75++ that has an added benefit of indoor blue light protection, lowering hyperpigmentation from all sources, and the same skin lightening effect in all Crystal Tomato products, with the added benefit of skin renewal and moisturizes as it protects.

• SPF 75++
• Multi-spectrum, with 54% Blue Light protection
• High persistent anti-pigmentation darkening (PPD) at 17+
• Restores skin moisture
• Skin lightening

Rejuran Sun Screen

If your skin requires restoration and renewal, the Rejuran Sun Screen at SPF 50+ with moisture control and skin renewal by strengthening the skin’s natural barrier from within with C-PDRN 0.2% and it also delivers concentrated Polynucleotides (PN) that are derived from processed salmon sperm DNA, the same ingredient in our Rejuran treatment but in a cream!

• SPF 50++
• Multi-spectrum, with UVA & UVB protection
• C-PDRN 0.2%

Melasma

Melasma is a very common skin problem that causes uneven skin discolouration patches and is also known as Chloasma. It can sometimes be brought on by hormonal changes in pregnant women, non-pregnant women but can also occur in men. However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, the majority of people who get Melasma are women¹.

Characteristics of Melasma²

• Melasma usually occurs on the face, symmetrical with matching marks on both sides of the face.
• Brown patches can also appear on the forehead, cheeks, nose bridge, chin. Neck and forearms.
• A form of hyperpigmentation, largely attributed to hormonal changes.
• Harmless but unsightly
• Happens more in women and darker-skinned individuals
• Birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone replacement therapy are possible triggers or sun exposure.

Post Treatment Results

Melasma can be treated with a variety of lasers and Dr Cindy’s Medical Aesthetics has the means to treat this problem holistically with a combination of different treatments not limited to like Sylfirm, Pigmentation Recovery Program, Clear and Smooth Laser.

• Zero – No downtime
• Treatments can be combined for maximum results
• About 4-6 sessions for each treatment
• About 10min – 30mins for each treatment

Holistic Treatment Approach – Works best

We recommend combining these various treatments rather than sticking to a single treatment as medical research has shown by combining different laser types like with our Pigmentation Recovery Program using a Norseld Dual Yellow Laser or with Sylfirm, using a pulsed type Radio Frequency (RF) approach is needed as Melanin has a broad absorption spectrum³. Medical follow-up and lifestyle changes are part and parcel of a successful recovery program³ but do note, individual results vary depending on how your skin responds to the treatment and current pigment condition.