Treating Hyperpigmentation in the Practice | by Dr . Tahl Humes
532 and 595 nanometer lasers , like IPL , target pigment in the skin and are best for lighter Fitzpatrick skin types . With these lasers , a focused beam can treat individual lentigines rather than a whole treatment area . Sunspots will darken and flake off without the surrounding skin being affected . A series of treatments are recommended for a reduction in pigment .
Hyperpigmentation is commonly seen across all ethnicities and age groups .
The most common cause of hyperpigmentation is sun exposure . a controlled chemoablation of the skin that leads to exfoliation , improving skin appearance . Chemical peels are often a preferred treatment for pigment because of their versatility and safety profile , as they are safe on difficult pigment and can be used to treat all skin types .
Intense Pulsed Light ( IPL ) is a non-ablative phototherapy that works by targeting melanin in the skin . Following the IPL treatment , the treated brown spots will darken and flake off . Through a series of treatments , a reduction in pigment is seen . IPL is a good option for treating solar lentigines on lighter skin types , though it is not an ideal treatment for Melasma or PIH . The heat generated by an IPL treatment can worsen Melasma , and inflammation post IPL can exacerbate PIH .
Pico Genesis is a picosecond pulse duration laser with multiple wavelengths . It can be used on all skin types to treat a wide range of hyperpigmentation , including solar lentigines , PIH , and melasma . Pico Genesis can be used as a global treatment to treat an area of pigment or as a focused treatment for discrete lesions . PIH is not exacerbated by Pico Genesis because inflammation is less common with this treatment . In addition , Pico Genesis uses photoacoustic instead of photothermal technology , so it generates less heat than traditional lasers and can be used to treat Melasma , all with minimal downtime .
Hyperpigmentation is commonly seen across all ethnicities and age groups . While it is usually benign , any concerning lesions should be evaluated by a physician prior to initiating treatment .
Regardless of the type of hyperpigmentation or treatments prescribed , pharmaceutical-grade skincare products are a must . These products will not only improve pigment but will also enhance the treatments being done in the office .
18 iS Skin Source