Skin pigmentation can be hard to get rid of, whether it’s freckles, sun spots or acne marks. On top of that, frequent sun exposure can lead to existing sun spots on the skin getting darker, resulting in hyperpigmentation. Target those blotches and get brighter skin with these medical-grade facials and skin pigmentation treatments, offered at top aesthetic clinics in Singapore!
Hollywood Laser Peel
For that coveted glow before a big event, try this popular laser treatment at The Belle Clinic. Safe for most skin types, the gentle FDA-approved laser promises to rejuvenate the skin. It evens out the skin tone and reduces skin pigmentation and acne scars, while smoothening fine lines and reducing enlarged pores. Results can be seen after just one session! Only one hour is needed, which explains why the treatment is great as a lunchtime pick-me-up or pre-event fix.
A numbing cream is first applied on your face and left on for around 15 minutes. Then, a light layer of Spectra Carbon Lotion is applied before the laser starts. The laser is used to effectively target melanin in the skin cells, which is the main cause of pigmentation. As this laser is gentle on the skin, multiple passes are made during the course of each session for best results.
The first pass sets the special carbon lotion onto the skin, and subsequent passes lightly remove the lotion, heating the dermis at the same time, while lightly ablating the top layer of dead skin to reveal brighter and smoother skin. The dermis is also heated up at the same time, stimulating collagen production. You’ll hear some snapping sounds as this occurs, and feel a warm tingling sensation. There is minimal downtime for this treatment (a slight redness that goes away in a few hours), which can also be done as a monthly maintenance facial.
Duo Pigment Perfector
Pigmentation can occur due to a variety of external and internal reasons, which, according to Dr Maybelle Tan of The Belle Clinic, include UV damage and pregnancy. It can also affect all parts of the body, and not just the face.
The Duo Pigment Perfector is a customised facial for pigmentation and sun spots that helps to lighten and treat pigmented lesions more aggressively, while ensuring minimum downtime post treatment. Featuring a combination of a Q-switched laser with a chemical peel, the procedure effectively lightens post-inflammatory acne scars and visible skin pigmentation, while improving overall skin tone. The specialised FDA-approved laser gently targets melanin, which is a cause of pigmentation; in doing so, it breaks up the pigmentation and allows the body’s natural process to remove it. A suitably chosen chemical peel follows to gently resurface the skin and even out spots. Complete your treatment with a skin regenerative and moisturising mask to speed up recovery and healing.
While you may experience some brightening effects after your first session, a series of treatments is needed for full results.
The Belle Clinic
#03-02 Mediplex @ SBF Center 160 Robinson Road
6444 8108 | thebelleclinic.com/laserpeel.html
HydraFacial
This medical facial combines gentle cleansing, exfoliation and extraction with hydrating and antioxidant benefits, so you can expect clearer and brighter skin without recovery time.
Offered at W Skin & Laser Clinic, the popular facial promises to improve concerns like oily and acne-prone skin, enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation and sun spots. It also works equally well as a maintenance facial for all skin types.
In the treatment, vortex technology is used to cleanse the pores and lift away impurities, while hydrating the skin with a nutrient-rich solution. As the vortex effect is designed to easily dislodge blackheads and whiteheads, extraction is quick and painless – unlike the manual extraction process at many salons. Next, the patented HydroPeel tip gently exfoliates dead skin cells without any irritation, resulting in even and painless skin resurfacing results. This prepares the skin for the final step, where powerful skincare ingredients get absorbed. With its spiral-like design, the Vortex-Fusion device infuses hydrating solutions and potent antioxidants into the skin, resulting in a clearer and more even complexion after just one treatment.
With a series of sessions, the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation is reduced. Monthly treatments are recommended to maintain the effects and keep breakouts at bay, especially for those with oily and acne-prone skin.
W Skin & Laser Clinic
#06-28/29 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre 38 Irrawaddy Road
6570 2528 | wskinandlaser.com
Pigmentation Repair Treatment
This indulgent 90-minute facial at Bio Aesthetic uses medical-grade lactic acid to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells without taking away moisture. Combined with a powerful cocktail of alpha arbutin (a brightening agent) and oligopeptides (amino acids), the potent formula reduces melanin production while fading freckles and sun spots.
After cleansing and toning, a brightening peel is applied. Formulated with lactic acid, the peel helps to lighten age spots, blemishes and melasma while improving overall skin tone. Lactic acid is suitable for all skin types, but it’s especially ideal for dry skin. This is because it has a film-forming capacity that reduces epidermal water loss.
Next, a brightening formula is applied. This is followed by a cryotherapy treatment using a vitamin C serum to boost the brightening effects. Cryotherapy helps the skin to better absorb the active ingredients and speed up the repair process. Rounding up the skin pigmentation treatment are a hyaluronic acid and vitamin C mask for a clearer and more radiant complexion.
Bio Aesthetic Laser Clinic
#03-01 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road
6333 4566 | baclinic.sg
bioaesthetic.com.sg
Pico Pigment
This SW1 skin pigmentation treatment combines Pico Discovery Plus with intense pulsed light (IPL) to lighten spots and brighten the complexion. It features three different laser wavelengths and uses the latest picosecond technology to treat pigmentation and remove tattoos.
A numbing cream is first applied to the skin to make the medical facial more tolerable. During the laser, you may feel a slight warmth and a gentle prickling sensation. Most patients are comfortable with the process, though. Immediately after the 30-minute session, you can expect a mild flush; this should resolve after a few hours. For intensive spot treatments to target resistant pigmentation, there may be localised redness over the next few days.
You may need a course of two to six sessions every one to four weeks. It depends on the severity of your pigmentation and the treatment intensity during each session. To speed up the healing process, follow up with PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide), a skin-regenerating treatment administered via sonophoresis (ultrasound).
SW1 Clinic
#02-19 OUE Downtown Gallery 2, 6A Shenton Way
6817 8882 | sw1clinic.com
Medlite Pigment Laser
From treating different types of pigmentation like sun spots to improving textural issues like wrinkles, fine lines and enlarged pores, this versatile laser system available at W Skin & Laser covers a wide range of skin concerns. However, it’s most known for its effectiveness at lightening solar lentigenes (sun spots), a common concern amongst middle-aged women.
Before each session, the doctor will apply a thin layer of numbing cream to the skin and leave it on for about 30 minutes. The actual treatment usually takes around 10 to 20 minutes. Here’s how it works: the laser produces a special wavelength of light that’s absorbed by the pigmented lesions. The light vibrates and shatters the pigment, breaking the melanin into micro-particles and diffusing the lesions. Any post-treatment discomfort will feel similar to a mild sunburn, and any redness will dissipate within a day or two as the skin returns to its natural colour. There may be mild peeling by the fifth to seventh day, but after that you should expect a more even and radiant skin tone.
W Skin & Laser
#06-28/29 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Center, 38 Irrawaddy Road
6570 2528 | wskinandlaser.com
Starwalker Laser
Offered at the Aesthetic & Reconstructive Centre, this advanced Q-switch laser technology is able to deliver energy in short pulses, approximately a million times faster than first-generation lasers.
The laser energy is delivered quickly and in short bursts, resulting in greater patient comfort and safety. The device comes with two wavelengths (1064nm and 532nm), which means it can treat a wide variety of conditions such as sun spots and acne scars. It can also be used for tattoo removal and overall facial rejuvenation.
One session can be completed in 30 minutes, after a numbing cream is applied and left on for 30 minutes. While downtime is minimal, you can expect a temporary darkening of pigmented spots for the next 48 hours. Amp up the results with an ablative mode, which is used for skin rejuvenation. This mode requires a downtime of two to three days. The laser stimulates collagen production, which in turn helps with skin healing and cell renewal.
Aesthetic & Reconstructive Centre
3 Mount Elizabeth, #13-08 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre (Orchard)
6733 3712 | andrewkhoo.com
This article first appeared in the April 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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Anthia Chng
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