Reducing pigment spots is one of the top five most requested skin treatments. This isn't surprising, since they can age the face and are a common problem for many women. In the previous blog post, we discussed pigment spots and their causes. In this blog post, we'll delve deeper into the various treatments and what you can expect from cosmetic treatments for pigment spots.
Prevention is better than cure
As you read in our previous blog post about the development of pigment spots, there's a strong link between the presence of pigment spots on the skin and sun exposure. Pigment spots can be congenital or influenced by hormones in our bodies, but in most cases, they are caused by (long-term) sun exposure . Our advice is to avoid the sun and protect your skin as much as possible from the sun's harmful UV rays . These two measures can significantly reduce the risk of pigment spots.
AESTHETIC TREATMENTS
Do you still suffer from pigment spots? There are several treatments that can help reduce or remove them:
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a type of mechanical peeling . A device vacuums the skin while spraying aluminum microcrystals onto it. These aluminum crystals have a mild abrasive effect on the skin , removing dead skin cells from the top layer of the epidermis. The skin renews itself , and age spots, wrinkles , and scars become less visible .
Laser Therapy
Laser treatments are based on the principle of " selective photothermolysis ." The laser emits an energy pulse that is specifically absorbed by the pigment in the skin and then destroys it. This selective action ensures that surrounding tissue is not damaged .
Chemical peel
With a chemical peel, dead skin cells are loosened , as it were, by the acid in the cream, lotion, or liquid. This accelerates skin renewal and fades scars and pigment spots. There are several types of chemical peels. The following chemical peels are most commonly used for hyperpigmentation:
AHA peeling (Alpha-Hydroxy-Acid)
TCA peel (Trichloro Vinegar)
Salicylic acid peel
It's important to avoid sunlight after the treatment and use a high SPF . The peel makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays. Also, make sure you have this type of treatment performed in a professional setting . Aggressive peels can damage the skin and cause pigment spots. Some people have a higher risk of skin pigmentation after skin damage than others. Your risk can be determined from your DNA based on, among other things, variations in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes .
MEDICAL TREATMENTS
Pigment spots following inflammation (e.g., acne) are often treated with prescription medications . These medications are prescribed by a dermatologist and contain one of the following active ingredients :
Hydroquinone or hydroquinone (2%-4%): inhibits the production of melanin (pigment) in our skin and thus prevents the formation of pigment spots .
Azelaic acid (5%-20%): softens the outer layer of the skin (peeling effect) and ensures that the skin produces less melanin pigment .
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroid ointments can reduce inflammation and discoloration of the skin.
Tretinoin cream: Tretinoin (a vitamin A derivative) accelerates skin renewal . Tretinoin therefore enhances/accelerates the depigmenting effect of hydroquinone and is therefore often used together.
COSMETICS
Cosmetic products are also often used in the treatment of hyperpigmentation. The first option is to use skincare products containing bleaching or anti-pigmenting ingredients , such as:
Licorice root
Hydroquinone (maximum 2% in non-prescription products)
Kojic acid
There are many products on the market, but not all skincare products are equally effective . Look for products that contain a sufficiently high concentration (indicated in parentheses) of the active ingredients. And be realistic about what you can expect from these products. They can help reduce and even out the appearance of age spots , but they will never disappear completely.
