For patients who have pigmentation on the face from sun damage, acne scars, or other skin issues, there are options when it comes to correction. From topical products to medical-grade skin treatments like microdermabrasion and IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy, there are so many great products, peels, and skin procedures to help treat pigmentation on the face[63].
Topical Treatments for Pigmentation on Face
Hydroquinone is a prescription ingredient that helps to eliminate pigmentation on the face and works by suppressing the melanin in the skin – or the pigment that causes unwanted pigmentation[61]. It has been the most effective ingredient to combat pigmentation for the last five decades and has withstood controversy to prove its effectiveness.
The Obagi Nu Derm system is an amazing product line with hydroquinone at its center. It’s safe for all skin types. Since it does not pull all of the pigmentation of the skin, it will not affect the shade of darker skin tones.
For patients opposed to using hydroquinone, Kojic acid is a natural alternative[59]. It derives from mushrooms, and while it is not quite as effective as hydroquinone, it can still help to reduce pigmentation.
WIFH Skin Procedures to Treat Pigmentation on Face
Peels and microdermabrasions can also do a great job in reducing pigmentation, as they both remove the outer layers of the skin, leaving behind fresh and less pigmented skin. There are multiple types of chemical peels patients can try[34]. One of our most popular peels for pigmentation is the VI Peel with Precision Plus. It is a medium depth peel and does an amazing job of removing hyperpigmentation along with improving the skin’s overall tone and texture. For patients who aren’t interested in peeling, microdermabrasions also work well to reduce pigmentation[28].
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At WIFH we use DermaSweep for microdermabrasion. It utilizes bristles to abrade the skin, removing the outer layer of dead skin revealing the healthy bright skin below. The final step in our microdermabrasion is the infusion and polishing of the skin with treatment serums. When we are addressing pigmentation concerns, a lightening serum combination will be infused back into the skin. With any corrective skin procedure, patients will need several treatments to achieve the best results.
IPL/PhotoFacial is also a very effective skin treatment for pigmentation, but is only safe for skin types I-III. IPL stands for “intense pulsed light,” and with this treatment, each pulse delivers light into the skin to target issues like brown spots, sun damage, and vascular lesions[64]. When treating benign pigmented areas, the light is absorbed by melanin, damaging the tissue to get rid of pigmentation. Over the next several days and up to a week after their IPL PhotoFacial, patients will notice the brown spots darken in color and eventually flake off. If patients have facial vessels, they should show immediate improvement with continued results over the next few weeks.
*Keep in mind that patents should have a visit with their dermatologist prior to getting an IPL PhotoFacial to make sure all dark spots are benign.
Skincare Maintenance
It’s important to remember that an integral part of maintaining healthy skin is using high quality, corrective skin care products and always using sunscreen. Having routine therapeutic/corrective skin treatments will also go a long way in eliminating unwanted pigmentation as well as helping to stave off the aging process. Visit WIFH today or call for a free skin care consultation to find out which treatment will work best to help reduce unwanted pigmentation on the face. As patients can see, they have many options, and our skin specialists will work with each patient to create a treatment plan to meet their individual skin needs.
