Acne may be largely the thing that causes most young people to have lower self-esteem, but it doesn’t mean that once the acne stops (when we grow up), our skin woes are over. Hyperpigmentation spots can sometimes really sink in, making the success of some treatments impossible, while others are slightly better and can be easily lightened with other treatments.
Many people may not know this, but not all spots are created equal, so don’t enter unknown salons and ask them to give you the same pigment erasing cream or laser that your friend just did. Skin types and the nature of pigmentation is important when selecting the treatment, so go to a reliable doctor and have the problem looked at first. Particularly in darker skin types, even the most well-intended treatment can result in worsening of the original hyperpigmentation.
Here are the best ways to get rid of facial pigmentation.
1. PIGMENT LIGHTENERS
Hormonally fuelled pigmentation such as melasma are heat and UV sensitive. Treating melasma requires several approaches, starting with pigment lighteners usually, and laser treatments when required. Pigment-lightening ingredients have been used with good results. Hydroquinone is normally used, in combination with vitamin A and a steroid, however, hydroquinone has been associated with cancer risk and a condition known as onchyno… Some have turned to mequinol instead.
Doctors increasingly believe that some types of pigmentation have a surrounding base that is not yet visible, so full face topical treatments such as Cysteamine cream are fast becoming promising alternatives to spot treatments using hydroquinone cream.
2. PIGMENT LASERS
Pigment-erasing lasers are extremely effective, particularly for sun spots and freckles- these have proven effective in as little as one to two sessions. The latest generation picosecond lasers reduce the rate of complication with its ultrafast pulsing, shattering pigments into a fine dust which is then cleared by the body. This treament has no downtime, but it is by no means a treatment that should be done daily to speed up resolution of pigmentation. Doctors advise that it should only be done every 2 to 4 weeks.
3. SUNSCREENS
Sunscreens are vital in many hyperpigmentation problems. But who said sunscreens can only be applied? Topical sunscreens may be great, only if you apply enough of it. Studies have shown that the average sun protection achieved with topical sunscreens is only about SPF 7, because few people can apply 5g (a full teaspoon) of sunscreen to the whole face at a time, and reapply it 2 or 3 hours later. Oral sunscreen supplements are now officially a thing, such as Heliocare Ultra which offers oral sunscreen protection with Fernblock, lycopene, lutein and Vitamin C and E, making up for these disadvantages of the topical sunscreen. The key ingredient, Fernblock has antioxidant properties which prevents hyperpigmentation caused by UV rays.