What is Pigmentation?

Pigment means color. Skin pigmentation means a change in the color of your skin. Our skin gets its color from a pigment known as melanin. The activity of special cells, melanocytes, leads to the formation of melanin. If melanocytes are less active, it leads to hypopigmentation/depigmentation whereas the overactive melanocytes cause hyperpigmentation.

Causes of Pigmentation

  • Sun exposure/ UV radiation
  • Allergies
  • Melasma during pregnancy
  • Hormonal changes
  • Skin inflammation
  • Genetic elements
  • Addison’s disease
  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
  • Medical conditions
  • Birthmarks
  • Eczema
  • Liver spot
  • Aging process
  • Burns
  • Skin infection
  • Skin cancer
  • Oral contraceptive pills
  • Psoriasis
  • Medication reactions
  • Skin irritation or trauma

Types of pigmentation

There are three types of pigmentation, namely hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation and depigmentation.

  • Hypopigmentation

This type of skin discolouration occurs when the cells (melanocytes) produce such an amount of melanin which is lesser than usual. This makes the skin lighter than usual. This can also happen due to skin injuries like infection or burns.

  • Hyperpigmentation

This type of skin discolouration happens when there are overactive melanocytes, i.e., more melanin is produced than usual. Excess sun exposure, some medication, etc. can cause hyperpigmentation.

  • Depigmentation

This type of skin disorder happens when there is a huge loss of melanin in the body which makes the skin lose its natural color. This can be either complete or partial, temporary or permanent.

How Do Laser Treatments Work?

The science behind the function of laser treatment is ‘selective photothermolysis’ which signifies the ability of a laser to regulate light frequency leading to heat production by destroying the selective tissue. There are various wavelengths of light, one of which is chosen as per the color shade of skin/hair as the case may be.

Laser simply means a focused beam of light applied directly on the skin. This advanced aesthetic treatment can work on any skin condition now. Your skin type and concerns are examined by the dermatologist, your desired goal is studied and accordingly, the laser procedure is chosen.

Laser treatment works on the skin, reduces melanin production, treats various skin conditions like pigmentation, mask of pregnancy, reduces the deposition of macular amyloidosis and lightens the shade of sun-exposed areas. These just create a sensation which might be uncomfortable but not painful.

Best laser treatments for pigmentation

IPL Therapy

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is an effective way of reversing the skin damage caused by sun exposure, hormonal imbalances or anything it could be. It is mainly done on sun-exposed areas and the chest. It works best on light brown or pale skin. This is gentle on the skin

Q-switch

Q-switch lasers emit tight pulses of light energy using a ‘Q-switched’ technique. The laser beam is strong enough to penetrate the skin deeply and stays gentle on the skin. Q-switch lasers are generally used to treat wrinkles, acne scars, fungal infections, and athlete’s foot.Q-Switch is completely safe and highly effective. Q-switched lasers are of different wavelengths for different purposes. It mainly includes the Q-switched Nd: YAG lasers, Q-switched Ruby lasers, Q-switched Alexandrite lasers, and Picosecond Alexandrite lasers.

Laser skin resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing uses lasers to reduce the melanin build-up and amyloid proteins and diminish the signs of aging like scars and wrinkles, tighten the skin, even the skin tone and remove lesions. This procedure removes the outer layer of skin and heats and vaporizes the underlying layer.

Laser skin resurfacing treatment works best for acne scars, pigmentation, birthmarks, Sun-damaged skin, age spots, liver spots and signs of aging. People with darker skin tones, active acne, deep wrinkles or excessive sagging skin should not go for this one.

Benefits of Laser Treatments

  • Youthful radiance

Laser treatment slows down the aging process, evens skin tone, improves the skin texture, reduces pore sizes and removes melasma, sun spots, age spots, liver spots and pimple marks.

  • Boosts collagen

This type of skin pigmentation treatment attacks the cells lying underneath the skin’s topmost layer. This enables a boost in collagen production that provides elasticity to the skin and reduces wrinkles and fine lines.

  • Minimal downtime

Any surgical treatments for treating hyperpigmentation cause the patients to take at least a week off from work and other activities. Laser treatments don’t require any downtime and results can also be seen in a few days.

  • Long lasting results

Yes, the results from laser treatments are not temporary. New skin cells will be coming, aging will also occur but it will not get back to its old state if the skin is well taken care of.

  • Works precisely

Laser technology works differently on different skin tones and targets the skin structure with huge precision. Some lasers work best for red skin tones whereas some target hair follicles to reduce their growth.

  • Overall skin rejuvination

Lasers tighten the skin, reduce signs of aging, and make it cleaner, healthier and younger. They target freckles in young adults, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and brighten the complexion. All this altogether improves the overall appearance of the person toto slot.