Jan. 26, 2023

EN - 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 it. In the previous blog we discussed what pigment spots are and what causes them. In this blog we take a closer look at the different treatments and what you can expect from cosmetics for pigmentation spots.

BETTER PREVENT 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 to protect your skin as much as possible against the harmful UV rays of the sun. 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 spots:

Microdermobrasion

Microdermabrasion is a type of mechanical peeling . The skin is vacuumed with a device while the aluminum microcrystals are sprayed onto the skin. These aluminum crystals have a light 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 a pulse of energy that is specifically absorbed by the pigment in the skin and then destroys the pigment. The selective action ensures that the surrounding tissue is not damaged .

Chemical peel

With a chemical peeling, the dead skin cells are " soaked loose " by the acid present in the cream, lotion or liquid. As a result, the skin will renew itself faster and scars and pigment spots will 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 (Trichloro 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 . After all, 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 variations in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes, among other things.

MEDICAL TREATMENTS

Pigmented spots after inflammation/inflammation (e.g. acne) are often treated with prescription drugs . 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 appearance 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 are therefore often used together.

COSMETICS

Cosmetic products are also often used in the treatment of 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 about what you can expect from these products. They can help reduce and even out the pigment spots , but they will never disappear completely.

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In addition to bleaching ingredients, you can also camouflage pigmentation spots on the skin with make-up (concealer, foundation and powders) or a colored day cream (BB or CC cream). Pay attention to the ingredients list when you buy makeup. Choose mild ingredients that care for the skin and do not irritate it. Not sure? Send us the ingredients list.

At Nomige you can opt for a tinted day cream . This cream contains all nourishing and caring ingredients such as the classic day cream, but also has a (light) brown tint, which gives you a more even complexion and makes your pigment spots less visible. The day cream is available in 3 different shades , depending on your skin type. In addition, each day cream also contains a sun factor (SPF 15 or higher if desired) that protects the skin daily against harmful UV radiation from the sun. Would you like to try a sample? Send us an email!

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