Pigmentation is a broad term for a common skin condition in Singapore that affects people of all ages. The condition causes the skin to appear darker than normal in brown, black, red or pink spots or patches, also known as hyperpigmentation.
Pigmentation is a broad term for a common skin condition in Singapore that affects people of all ages. The condition causes the skin to appear darker than normal in brown, black, red or pink spots or patches, also known as hyperpigmentation.
Our skin gets its colouring from melanin which is created by skin cells. Melanin gets overproduced when these skin cells become damaged, causing it to clump and making that particular area become darker.
Certain factors can trigger an increase in melanin production, leading to hyperpigmentation. The common ones are:
• Excessive sun exposure
• Age
• Genetics
• Hormonal changes and disorders
• Skin injury and trauma
• Acne
Our skin gets its colouring from melanin which is created by skin cells. Melanin gets overproduced when these skin cells become damaged, causing it to clump and making that particular area become darker.
Certain factors can trigger an increase in melanin production, leading to hyperpigmentation. The common ones are:
• Excessive sun exposure
• Age
• Genetics
• Hormonal changes and disorders
• Skin injury and trauma
• Acne
There are many direct and indirect causes of melasma. These include:
Melasma often occurs on the stomach and face (although they can appear in any area) and is usually caused by hormonal changes. It may also develop during pregnancy.
Also referred to as liver spots, sun spots are common and usually occur with regular or excessive sun exposure. They often appear on sun-exposed areas of the skin such as hands and face.
The result of damage to the skin cells caused by injury or inflammation due to acne.
There are many direct and indirect causes of melasma. These include:
Melasma often occurs on the stomach and face (although they can appear in any area) and is usually caused by hormonal changes. It may also develop during pregnancy.
Also referred to as liver spots, sun spots are common and usually occur with regular or excessive sun exposure. They often appear on sun-exposed areas of the skin such as hands and face.
The result of damage to the skin cells caused by injury or inflammation due to acne.
Pigmentation is not painful or itchy. However, as it appears in dark patches on the skin, hyperpigmentation may cause feelings of self-consciousness and low self-esteem.
The skin condition can be diagnosed through a visual examination by your doctor or dermatologist. Further tests may be ordered to determine the underlying cause.
Pigmentation is not painful or itchy. However, as it appears in dark patches on the skin, hyperpigmentation may cause feelings of self-consciousness and low self-esteem.
The skin condition can be diagnosed through a visual examination by your doctor or dermatologist. Further tests may be ordered to determine the underlying cause.
There are a number of factors that put you at a higher risk of developing pigmentation. These include:
• Sun exposure – spending too much time in the sun, especially for those with lighter skin tone, can cause hyperpigmentation.
• Hormonal imbalances – hormonal fluctuations can cause melasma, which is more prevalent in pregnant women.
• Dark skin tone – Those with darker complexions are at higher risk of developing hyperpigmentation.
• Metabolic conditions – Vitamin deficiencies and metabolic imbalances is also believed to be a risk factor for hyperpigmentation disorders.
• Inflammation – Inflamed skin caused by injury or trauma can lead to hyperpigmentation.
• Addison’s disease – If you have this endocrine disease, you may be at risk of developing hyperpigmentation in areas of sun exposure (face, neck, hands), and areas prone to friction (elbows and knees).
There are a number of factors that put you at a higher risk of developing pigmentation. These include:
• Sun exposure – spending too much time in the sun, especially for those with lighter skin tone, can cause hyperpigmentation.
• Hormonal imbalances – hormonal fluctuations can cause melasma, which is more prevalent in pregnant women.
• Dark skin tone – Those with darker complexions are at higher risk of developing hyperpigmentation.
• Metabolic conditions – Vitamin deficiencies and metabolic imbalances is also believed to be a risk factor for hyperpigmentation disorders.
• Inflammation – Inflamed skin caused by injury or trauma can lead to hyperpigmentation.
• Addison’s disease – If you have this endocrine disease, you may be at risk of developing hyperpigmentation in areas of sun exposure (face, neck, hands), and areas prone to friction (elbows and knees).
Depending on the severity of pigmentation symptoms, there are varied treatment options for the skin condition. These include:
Retinoids and creams that include ingredients such as face acids and vitamin C are usually recommended for those with mild to moderate pigmentation.
Chemical peels can also be used to remove a layer of the skin and improve skin colour and tone. However, there is significant downtime and side effects of these treatments such as redness and discomfort.
Specially formulated whitening products can lighten the skin and dark patches.
Specific facials and intense pulse light therapy (IPL) treatments can help lighten the skin and treat hyperpigmentation. These are often safe on the skin with zero downtime. Facial treatments for pigmentation offered at our clinic include:
This treatment used a microsecond multi-pulse device and the latest millisecond technology to treat skin conditons such as melasma and hyperpigmentation. It targets specific areas of the skin with precision and is deemed safe and effective, as well as medically approved in Korea.
This tailored skin whitening programme designed by dermatologists treats pigmentation and melasma disorders. The three-step programme includes HiPL treatment, De:H Brightening Ampoule and De:H Cellulose Whitening Mask to reduce melanin overproduction, repair damaged skin and prevent further melasma.
Depending on the severity of pigmentation symptoms, there are varied treatment options for the skin condition. These include:
Retinoids and creams that include ingredients such as face acids and vitamin C are usually recommended for those with mild to moderate pigmentation.
Chemical peels can also be used to remove a layer of the skin and improve skin colour and tone. However, there is significant downtime and side effects of these treatments such as redness and discomfort.
Specially formulated whitening products can lighten the skin and dark patches.
Specific facials and intense pulse light therapy (IPL) treatments can help lighten the skin and treat hyperpigmentation. These are often safe on the skin with zero downtime. Facial treatments for pigmentation offered at our clinic include:
This treatment used a microsecond multi-pulse device and the latest millisecond technology to treat skin conditons such as melasma and hyperpigmentation. It targets specific areas of the skin with precision and is deemed safe and effective, as well as medically approved in Korea.
This tailored skin whitening programme designed by dermatologists treats pigmentation and melasma disorders. The three-step programme includes HiPL treatment, De:H Brightening Ampoule and De:H Cellulose Whitening Mask to reduce melanin overproduction, repair damaged skin and prevent further melasma.
Some dark spots and patches caused by pigmentation disorders fade over time, usually within six to 12 months. However if it is deep in your skin, it can take several years to fade.
Creams and supplements that contain ingredients such as hydroquinone, kojic acid and vitamin C may reduce hyperpigmentation. Pulse light therapy treatments and whitening facials are also effective for long-term reduction and improvement of pigmentation.
Food is not normally a cause of hyperpigmentation. However, consuming too much beta-carotene (found in orange foods such as carrots and sweet potatoes) can cause orange colouring on the skin.
Pigmentation can appear on the face due to sun exposure or inflammation caused by acne.
