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Do at home pigmentation treatments work?
An uneven skin tone or dark spots can be frustrating and lead to self-consciousness and poor self-esteem. Thankfully, there are a variety of treatments available to help lighten skin discolouration for clearer, even-toned skin. What’s the better option — natural remedies or medical treatments? Read on to find out more!
Natural Treatments for Pigmentation
There are a variety of naturally-sourced ingredients and daily household staples that you can try to help lighten pigmentation and even out skin tone.
Examples
Some natural remedies to lighten pigmentation include:
- Aloe vera — Aloe vera contains aloin, which is a naturally occurring compound that not only soothes skin and is anti-inflammatory, but is also a natural depigmenting component, which can lighten dark patches on the skin.
- Turmeric — Turmeric’s active component is curcumin, which inhibits melanin production. As melanin is the source of pigmentation on our skin, turmeric can help lighten pigmentation.
- Lemon Juice — Lemon is well-known for its skin-lightening effects because it’s rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and citric acid (a type of alpha-hydroxy-acid or AHA). This allows it to inhibit melanin production and exfoliate the outermost layer of the skin, revealing brighter skin underneath.
- Apple cider vinegar — Acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can help reveal a brighter complexion with its mild exfoliating properties. It also has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, preventing new dark spots from forming.
- Green tea — Green tea extracts have a brightening effect by inhibiting melanin production, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Benefits
Some benefits of doing an at-home pigmentation lightening treatments include:
- Gentle — Some at-home pigmentation treatments are made from natural ingredients, without fragrances or preservatives, and can be gentler.
- Cost-effective — At-home pigmentation lightening treatment ingredients are readily available from the grocery store, and are more affordable than professional medical treatments.
Drawbacks
However, there are drawbacks of at-home pigmentation treatment you should consider.
- Skin irritation — Some natural ingredients may vary in their potential to cause irritation or skin sensitivity, especially if you have conditions like eczema or rosacea. This could cause further damage to the skin in the long run.
- Incorrect usage — Improper application or overuse of these treatments may worsen your condition or cause other unintended consequences, such as uneven skin tone or worsened pigmentation.
- Limited results — Natural treatments carried out at home may not provide the results that you desire, especially for severe hyperpigmentation.
- Time and consistency — Effects of natural treatments are generally milder, hence, achieving your desired results may require more consistent and prolonged use.
Medical Treatments for Pigmentation
Medical treatments for pigmentation generally involve procedures performed by professionals using chemical peels or energy-based devices. They work by resurfacing the discoloured skin or destroying excess melanin-producing cells. The right type of pigmentation treatment for you depends largely on your skin type, skin concerns, and desired results.
Examples
Some common medical skin pigmentation treatments in Singapore include:
- Laser therapy — Laser therapy utilises high-energy light pulses to selectively target pigmented areas of the skin and reduce melanin production. These are minimally-invasive and can effectively treat pigmentation issues like sun spots and uneven skin tones.
SkinLab’s Lumenis M22 Laser Face Treatment is an FDA-approved laser system specially designed to treat skin concerns like pigmentation. Not only does this treatment lighten skin discolouration and port-wine stains, it also helps reduce fine lines and mild to moderate acne. - Chemical peels — Chemical peels are medical-grade treatments that help exfoliate the outer layers of the skin to even out skin tone and reveal the less pigmented skin underneath. These peels vary in intensity and can reach different depths of the skin, hence, closely administered by a professional.
SkinLab’s Signature Medical Peel is a highly-awarded medical peel developed by in-house doctors to treat skin issues like ageing skin and pigmentation. It boosts cell turnover, sloughs away dead skin cells and lightens hyperpigmentation to reveal brighter, rejuvenated skin. - Microneedling — Microneedling is a minimally-invasive treatment that involves utilising a microneedling pen made of fine miniature needles to make strategically placed “pricks” in the skin. This encourages collagen and elastin production, improving skin texture and reducing pigmentation. Topical lightening treatments can also be applied during a microneedling procedure, encouraging their absorption and effectiveness.
SkinLab’s Derma Roller Facial is a 90-minute treatment that minimises pores, stimulates collagen and elastin production, and lightens hyperpigmentation marks. A nutrient-dense ampoule is also applied after the microneedling treatment for maximum absorption and optimal results.
Our IYASHI Exosome Nano Needling Treatment is our newest microneedling treatment. This gold class facial features pure exosomes from Japan; these exosomes specialise in cell repair and are especially helpful for skin rejuvenation, skin repair and scar remodelling.
- Microdermabrasion — Microdermabrasion is the physical exfoliation of the outermost layer of dead skin cells. This treatment is effective in treating melasma and superficial pigmentation issues while improving overall skin texture.
SkinLab’s Hydra-bright facial is a specialised treatment that utilises a diamond peel device for gentle mechanical exfoliation and vitamin B5 serum exfoliation to restore the skin’s natural barrier and promote skin healing. This helps brighten overall skin tone and lighten superficial pigmentation.
Benefits
The benefits of medical skin pigmentation treatments include:
- Professional procedure — Medical skin pigmentation treatments are administered by trained professionals who ensure that the treatments are done within proper protocol and according to your skin condition.
- Effective results — Generally, medical skin pigmentation treatments are more effective in reducing pigmentation, including stubborn or deep-seated melasma.
- Customisation — Professional medical pigmentation reduction treatments can be highly customised to your skin condition, main concerns and desired results for optimal results.
- Combination therapies — Some treatments can be combined for a more comprehensive solution and increased efficiency.
- Improvement in skin texture — Not only do medical treatments help lighten pigmentation and promote cell turnover, it also provides other benefits such as skin rejuvenation.
Drawbacks
There are some drawbacks to medical skin pigmentation treatments. However, these should be weighed against the comprehensive and targeted results they produce.
- Cost — Medical pigmentation treatments may seem costly across multiple sessions. However, these can be seen as an investment in your long-term skin health.
- Downtime — Depending on the type of treatment used, you may experience some downtime and normal post-procedure side effects such as redness or swelling.
- Multiple sessions — Some treatments may require multiple treatment sessions to achieve your desired results, and are usually spaced out over weeks or months, depending on the type of treatment.
- Sun sensitivity — You may experience some sun sensitivity after certain treatments. It is important to protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays and adhere to strict sun protection measures to prevent undoing your results and further pigmentation issues.
Comparison and Considerations
Both natural and medical pigmentation treatments come with their own pros and cons. Before making a final decision on what would be best for you, here are some common comparisons and considerations:
Effectiveness
- Natural treatments — Natural treatments are generally less effective when it comes to treating severe or stubborn pigmentation issues. Your results also largely depend on how your skin reacts to the ingredients, and the concentration of the ingredients used.
- Medical treatments — Medical treatments leverage on advanced technologies and medical-grade solutions to deliver more effective results. This allows it to treat more severe types of pigmentation within a shorter period of time.
Safety
- Natural treatments — Although natural ingredients are considered safer and well-tolerated, this is highly dependent on the types of ingredients used and individual skin sensitivity. Overdoing any type of pigmentation treatment, whether natural or medical, can lead to adverse results and skin complications.
- Medical treatments — Medical treatments, when performed by trained professionals with strict safety protocols, are generally safe. Potential side effects, such as redness and sun sensitivity, can be managed with the right post-treatment care.
Cost
- Natural treatments — Natural treatments are generally more affordable and easier to obtain.
- Medical treatments — Typically, medical treatments are more pricey, especially if multiple sessions are required. However, it may be cost-effective in the long run compared to other treatments that only provide temporary solutions.
Availability
- Natural treatments — When it comes to availability, ingredients for natural treatments can easily be found over-the-counter or at the grocery store.
- Medical treatments — Medical treatments require professional oversight and a clean environment. This is also what makes the treatments reliable.
Why you should choose medical pigmentation treatments
When it comes to treating skin pigmentation in Singapore, the options are vast — from natural at-home remedies to advanced professional treatments. While at-home remedies might offer minimal improvements, they often lack the potency and precision needed to tackle stubborn pigmentation effectively.
Professional medical pigmentation treatments stand out as the superior choice for several compelling reasons. These treatments are not only more powerful and efficient but also customised to your specific skin type and condition. Under the care of experienced medical professionals, you receive expert guidance and a treatment plan tailored to deliver the best possible results.
Pigmentation treatment in Singapore
Take the first step towards flawless skin by understanding your unique skin type and needs. At SkinLab, our expert team offers comprehensive skin analyses and treatment plans designed specifically for you.
Don’t settle for less—book a consultation with us today and discover the most effective path to achieving clear, even-toned skin.