4 misunderstandings of skin hyperpigmentation
We understand that most of us want to remove the stubborn dark spots on our skin. We have tried our best with various treatments and skin care products but fail.
It is most likely that we have gone in the wrong direction from the beginning, so no matter how hard we strive, we will not achieve success.
Understanding the correct knowledge about skin hyperpigmentation is the best way to prevent and reduce skin hyperpigmentation.
Based on our years of experience in the treatment of skin hyperpigmentation, we have classified common people’s misunderstandings about skin hyperpigmentation into 4 category.
1. Can deep pigmentation be seen?
Many people are misled by the name of deep pigmentation. They mistakenly think that since melanin exists in the deeper layers of the skin, we cannot see it directly with our naked eye.
Our skin is divided into 3 layers (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis). If the excess melanin appear on the first layer, it is called the Surface Pigmentation; if the melanin appear on the second layer, it is called the Deep Pigmentation.
In fact, our skin is a translucent body, so whether it is surface or deep pigmentation, we can see it with our naked eye. We have to understand this in order to achieve ideal treatment result. This is because there are different kind of treatments for surface and deep pigmentation.
2. Can deep pigmentation rise to the surface over time?
Nope it will not. A deep pigmentation will remain a deep pigmentation, and it cannot be turn into a surface pigmentation over time.
To explain this, we have to go back to what we mentioned above: the skin of our human body has three layers, namely the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis or fat layer.
The structure of these three skin levels are completely different. This also means that the second layer of the dermis will never become the epidermal layer, so deep pigmentation cannot become surface pigmentation over time.
3. Is the treatment procedure similar for all kind of pigmentation?
Different types of pigmentation and different layers of pigmentation need to be treated in different ways. We have to understand that using the same treatment to deal with all the pigmentation will not bring you any results.
In addition to the skin layer, we have to consider the skin condition and health condition as well. Health status means that a person’s medical history must be known before he can choose a suitable treatment for pigmentation. For example, if you have a sensitive skin type and receive the unsuitable treatment, it may cause more serious skin problems.
4. Is pigmentation a symptom of liver failure?
Some people like to relate the connections between pigmentation and liver, and believe that the formation of pigmentation is due to the decline of liver function.
Actually this is not correct, or let us put it this way: Skin hyperpigmentation are not necessarily caused by the deterioration of liver function, but the deterioration of liver function does affect the uneven pigmentation of the body.
The main reason for the formation of most skin hyperpigmentation is caused by the sun and aging skin. These dark spots are not caused by liver function problems. The spots caused by liver failure tend to be systemic. If they only occur locally, there is generally no significant connection between these pigmentation and liver problems.
What is the best treatment to remove pigmentation?
Pigmentation removal can be divided into 2 methods, the first is the non-laser method. It is actually quite easy to find many skin care products for whitening and pigmentation removal.
Generally, these skin care products use fruit acids (AHA) to speed up the peeling process of our skin, and our pigmentation will look lighter after the peeling. However, skin care products containing fruit acids (AHA) may cause other skin problems such as sensitivity and dryness.
The second treatment of pigmentation is the Light Therapy or Laser Pigmentation Removal treatment. Light Therapy is actually a kind treatment utilising different wavelength of light, which we also call laser.
We often misunderstood that laser treatment use a type of light to remove all kind of pigmentations. But in fact, Light Therapy effectively utilise different wavelengths to target different pigmentation problems.
A professional Light Therapist should know your skin conditions, types of pigmentation (Freckles, Melasma, Age spots or Ota Nevus-like Spots) and the layer of pigmentation (Surface or Deep spots) before providing you the best pigmentation treatment.
The principle of Light Therapy Pigmentation Treatment is Selective Photothermolysis. This advanced Light Therapy technology only target on melanin.
When light is absorbed by the melanin, the light energy is converted into heat energy. After that, the thermal energy will decompose the targeted melanin into smaller molecules. Finally, the body’s immune system cells such as white blood cells or metabolism will digest these small molecules.
After a few weeks, your pigmentation will gradually become lighter and even disappear. Different kind of pigmentations have different absorption rates for different light wavelengths.
This explains why we need to use different laser settings to remove different kind of pigmentations. Incorrect use of laser treatment may lead to skin damage. Remember to consult pigmentation expert or aesthetic professional for the best treatment result.
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