Pigmentation Treatments – 5 things you need to know

1 Pigmentation treatment creams are great stuff when it comes to the treatment of pigmentation. By “creams” we mean topical skin care products. In fact “creams” form most basic step of all skin pigmentation reduction treatments. Patients must have the patience to apply the creams as instructed. Although a tad bit slow, results will show after several weeks of application. And particularly in skin care. compliance to daily use is needed. Among the ingredients in “creams”, look out 3 particular ingredients that would really help, especially if treating the toughest kind of pigmentation – melasma.

• A peeling agent like retinol or retinoids.
• An antioxidant like Vitamin C or CoQA, other others.
• Bleaching agents like hydroquinone, arbutin and others.

2 Lasers and other energy based devices can hasten the pigmentation lightening process. They are the cornerstone to the pigmentation treatment of the moderate to severe degrees. And we are talking about lasers like the dual yellow laser and the sylfirm which in combination serves as a second line of treatment to hasten the effects of “creams” mentioned above. 

3 Lasers used in pigmentation treatments do not thin your skin. This is a myth. In fact, they stimulate more collagen in the dermis (deeper layer of skin) and improve skin thickness, elasticity and quality. 

4 Most laser treatments are not painful, and recovery time is minimal. Or else with adequate pain management methods, they are quite comfortable. Mild redness and transient pigment darkening for a few days. This is easily covered with makeup, or in these days, face masks.

5 Post-lasers, I generally remind patients to apply sunblock religiously. But you do not need to avoid daylight entirely. Just sun-avoidance and you can resume your usual skin care routine.

Here more resources on Melasma in WedMD