Jan. 26, 2023

Pigment spots: how to treat?

Reducing pigment spots on the skin is one of the top five most requested skin treatments. Not surprising since they can age the face and many women suffer from them. In the previous blog we discussed what pigment spots are and what their causes are. In this blog we take a closer look at the different treatments and what you can expect from cosmetics for pigment spots.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

As you read in our previous blog about the development of pigment spots, there is a strong connection between the presence of pigment spots on the skin and exposure to the sun. Pigment spots can be congenital or influenced by the hormones in our body, but in most cases they are caused by (long-term) exposure to the sun . Our advice is to avoid the sun and protect your skin as much as possible against the sun's harmful UV rays . These 2 measures can greatly reduce the risk of pigment spots.

AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

Do you still suffer from pigment spots? Then there are several treatments that can help reduce or remove these stains:

Microdermobrasion

Microdermabrasion is a type of mechanical peeling . A device is used to vacuum the skin while spraying aluminum microcrystals onto the skin. These aluminum crystals have a slightly abrasive effect on the skin and remove dead skin cells from the top layer of the epidermis. The skin renews and pigment 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 the pigment. The selective effect ensures that the surrounding tissue is not damaged .

Chemical peeling

With a chemical peel, the dead skin cells are, as it were, " loosened " by the acid present in the cream, lotion or liquid. This causes the skin to renew itself faster and scars and pigment spots fade . There are different types of chemical peels. The following chemical peels are most commonly used for hyperpigmentation:

AHA peeling (Alpha-Hydroxy-Acid)
TCA peeling (Trichloric Vinegar)
Salicylic acid peeling

It is important to avoid sunlight after treatment and to use a high sun factor . The peeling makes the skin more sensitive to UV radiation. Also make sure that you have these types of treatments carried out in a professional environment . Aggressive peels can damage the skin and cause pigment spots. Some individuals have a higher risk of skin pigmentation after skin damage than others. Your risk can be read from your DNA based on, among other things, variations in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes .

MEDICAL TREATMENTS

Pigment spots after inflammation (for example acne) are often treated with prescription medicines . These medicines are prescribed by the 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 (vitamin A derivative) ensures that the skin renews itself faster . Tretinoin therefore strengthens/accelerates the depigmenting effect of hydroquinone and is therefore often used together.

COSMETICS

Cosmetic products are also often used to treat hyperpigmentation. The first option is to use care products that contain bleaching or anti-pigmenting ingredients , such as:

Vitamin C (>10%)
Niacinamide or vitamin B3
Licorice root
Hydroquinone/hydroquinone (maximum 2% in non-prescription products)
Kojic acid
Retinol (>0.3%)

There are many products on the market, but not all care products are equally effective . Look for products that contain a sufficiently high concentration (indicated in brackets) of the active ingredients. And be realistic in what you can expect from these products. They can help reduce and even out pigment spots , but they will never disappear completely.