Why do we get areas of discoloured skin on our face and body? Often this is caused by the natural ageing process. However, overexposure to the sun and other forms of ultraviolet light can also contribute to the development of pigmentation issues. Happily, there are a number of non-invasive treatments that can help you to safely get rid of those pesky spots. We spoke to the team at Cutis Medical Laser Clinics to find out more.
Chemical Peels
As one of the oldest cosmetic procedures in the world, the chemical peel is a well-known way to improve skin tone and texture. The Cutis Crystal Peel is formulated with lightening ingredients such as glycolic, hydroquinone and kojic acid, and helps to lighten freckles, uneven skin tone and other discolorations. A chemical solution is first applied on top of the skin, helping it to exfoliate over time.
For more serious skin conditions, try the VI Peel, a stronger type of chemical peel formulated with medical-grade ingredients such as TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid), salicylic acid, Retin-A and Vitamin C. These potent ingredients penetrate deep into the skin, allowing it to exfoliate and peel off, revealing healthier skin underneath. Apart from brown spots, VI Peel is also great for treating existing acne, scars and freckles, as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Sessions are safe and effective on all skin types, and take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the area treated. Significant peeling can be expected from the third day onwards, lasting up to seven days. After that, you’ll notice that your skin looks brighter and smoother.
Limelight IPL Procedure
The Cutera Limelight is another popular way to get rid of unwanted pigmentation. Limelight uses US FDA-cleared Intense Pulse Light (IPL) technology to draw out brown spots from a deeper layer of the skin. It’s ideal for any part of your face, neck and décolleté with redness, tiny veins, freckles or brown spots.
During the treatment, pulses of light are delivered to the skin, which are then absorbed by the pigments and small blood vessels. You may feel a mild pinching sensation similar to a rubber band snapping on your skin, but most patients find the procedure quite tolerable. It’s common for your spots and freckles to turn darker after the procedure, then flake off after a week. At least four treatments are recommended for noticeable lightening effects.
Pearl Laser Resurfacing
If you’re looking for an overall rejuvenation procedure that removes pigmentation and improves skin texture, this would be the one to try. The Cutera Pearl procedure uses US FDA-cleared resurfacing laser technology to safely treat brown spots, acne scars and wrinkles, improve uneven skin texture and reverse sun damage.
During the procedure, the top layer of skin is treated using pulses of light that simultaneously send heat to different layers of skin. This triggers the body’s natural healing process wherein a protective dressing forms on the skin, which minimises the downtime. After a week, this dressing will peel off to reveal new skin with a visible glow. Although there is a downtime of five to seven days, just one session is needed for significant improvement to the skin tone and texture.
Dr Sylvia Advanced Clear Skin Program
This safe yet powerful pigmentation removal program lightens, exfoliates and balances the skin. Using clinical grade ingredients, the three-step, prescription-only program is especially useful in treating brown spots and other pigmentation. Best of all, it can be added to your daily skincare routine, right after cleansing and toning! The Skin Lightener corrects unwanted pigmentation, Exfoliator Forte improves the skin texture, while the Balancer brightens the skin tone.
Diamond Tomato Rx
Oral supplements can be used to treat melasma, which are patches of discoloration on the skin primarily caused by hormones. Developed by Cutis and formulated with Phytofloral and tranexamic acid, Diamond Tomato Rx is a dietary supplement that helps to maintain healthy, radiant skin from within.
Phytofloral is a natural antioxidant extracted from non-chemical processed tomatoes, and it lightens the skin while protecting it from sunburn, age spots and pigmentation. Tranexamic acid, meanwhile, is made from an amino acid (protein) called lysine, which has been proven to reduce melasma safely when used in low concentrations. As tranexamic acid is a medical grade ingredient, Diamond Tomato Rx is only available with a prescription.
Where to go
Medical and Scientific Director of Cutis Medical Laser Clinics Dr Sylvia Ramirez has over 25 years of experience in the industry, and has trained at Harvard Medical School in Boston and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Since there are several treatment options available, it’s best to schedule a consultation with Dr Sylvia to determine a personalised treatment plan for your skin concerns.
Written in collaboration with:
Cutis Medical Laser Clinics
#08-07 Scotts Medical Centre,
Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Road
6801 4000 | cutislaserclinics.com
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