How do facials help with pigmentation?

Pigmentation is one of the most challenging skin conditions to treat. If you have skin pigmentation, dealing with the condition’s unsightly blemishes can often feel like an uphill battle. 

However, facials can be a powerful ally in the fight against pigmentation problems. In this article, we’ll explore pigmentation, its causes, and how skin pigmentation facial treatments can help address these issues effectively.

What is pigmentation?

Pigmentation refers to skin colouring caused by melanin, a natural pigment melanocytes produce. Melanin gives skin its colour and helps protect it from the harsh UV radiation. 

However, when melanocytes become damaged or overactive, they can produce excess melanin, leading to pigmentation issues such as dark spots, freckles, and uneven skin tone.

Pigmentation comes in several forms, with the most stubborn one being melasma. Read more about melasma here. 

What causes pigmentation?

Several factors can contribute to pigmentation problems:

1. Sun exposure: UV radiation stimulates melanin production, leading to tanning and, in some cases, sunspots or hyperpigmentation.
2. Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives, and hormonal fluctuations can increase melanin production, leading to melasma or chloasma.
3. Inflammation: Skin inflammation acne, eczema, or psoriasis can stimulate melanocytes, leading to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
4. Genetics: Some individuals are genetically predisposed to pigmentation issues, such as having a higher concentration of melanocytes or increased melanin production.

Mechanisms behind facial treatments

Facial treatments employ various mechanisms to address pigmentation problems effectively. Knowing how they work on your pigmentation lets you choose the most appropriate facial for your concerns.

Exfoliation

One of the primary mechanisms by which facials help with pigmentation is through exfoliation. Exfoliation during a facial treatment targets pigmentation in several ways:

1. Cell renewal: Exfoliation stimulates the skin’s natural renewal process by sloughing away dead skin cells on the surface, shedding old, pigmented cells and generating new, healthy ones.
2. Even skin tone: As the top layer of pigmented skin cells is removed, fresher, lighter skin beneath is revealed, brightening the overall complexion.
3. Enhanced product absorption: Exfoliation clears away debris and impurities that clog pores and prevent the penetration of skincare products. Exfoliated skin is a clean canvas for pigmentation-targeting ingredients, such as AHAs, BHAs, and vitamin C, to penetrate more effectively into the skin, maximising their efficacy.
4. Prevention of future pigmentation: Regular exfoliation promotes cell turnover, reduces the likelihood of pigment buildup and encourages a more uniform distribution of melanin in the skin, resulting in a smoother, more consistent complexion over time.

Read: Why you shouldn’t use a physical exfoliator yourself 

Ingredients targeting pigmentation

Many facial treatments utilise ingredients known for their ability to lighten and brighten the skin. These ingredients work by inhibiting melanin production, promoting cell renewal and reducing the appearance of pigmentation.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): AHAs gently dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, easing their removal and promoting cell turnover. Old, pigmented skin cells are removed from the skin’s surface, revealing brighter skin underneath. 

Vitamin C: Vitamin C can brighten and lighten pigmentation. As an antioxidant, vitamin C neutralises free radicals generated by UV radiation and environmental pollutants, protecting the skin from oxidative damage and preventing the formation of dark spots.

Niacinamide: Niacinamide works by inhibiting melanosome transfer, the process by which melanin is transferred from melanocytes to surrounding skin cells. By interrupting this process, niacinamide helps prevent the formation of dark spots and evens out skin tone. 

Kojic Acid: Kojic acid inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production, thereby reducing the formation of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Furthermore, its antioxidant qualities help protect the skin from oxidative stress and promote a more radiant complexion.

Light therapy

Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, harnesses the power of specific wavelengths of light to address pigmentation issues. This non-invasive treatment effectively targets pigmentation, promotes skin rejuvenation, and improves overall skin health. A common technique used in light therapy for pigmentation is intense pulsed light (IPL).

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL):

IPL utilises broad-spectrum light wavelengths to target pigmentation issues, such as sunspots, age spots, and freckles. During an IPL treatment session, pulses of light are delivered to the skin, where melanin pigments absorb them within the targeted areas. 

The absorbed light energy generates heat, causing the targeted melanin to fragment and break up. Over time, the body’s natural healing processes remove the fragmented melanin, reducing pigmentation and a more even skin tone.

In addition to targeting pigmentation, IPL treatments stimulate collagen production in the skin. The heat generated during the facial stimulates collagen and elastin fibres. As collagen levels increase, the skin becomes firmer, smoother, and more youthful-looking.

IPL treatments are typically performed in sessions spaced several weeks apart. While some improvement may be visible after the first session, multiple treatments are usually recommended to address pigmentation effectively and achieve long-lasting results.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels are an effective treatment method for addressing pigmentation. It is a process whereby a chemical solution is applied to the skin, lifting and peeling the outer layers. 

Chemical peels target pigmentation through several mechanisms:

1. Exfoliation: Exfoliation is the primary mechanism by which chemical peels improve pigmentation. The chemical solution applied to the skin loosens the bonds between dead skin cells, making shedding and the removal of the outermost later of the epidermis easier. This process exposes fresh, new skin cells underneath, brightening the complexion.
2. Enhance cell turnover: Chemical peels accelerate the skin’s natural exfoliation process, promoting the turnover of skin cells. By stimulating cell renewal, chemical peels help fade dark spots and pigmented areas, revealing clearer, more evenly toned skin over time.
3. Inhibition of melanin production: Certain chemical peels contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or other exfoliating agents that inhibit melanin production. By disrupting the activity of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin, these peels help reduce the formation of new pigmentation and prevent its recurrence.

Read: Why peptides are an essential in your skincare routine

Importance of professional treatment

While there are numerous over-the-counter skincare products marketed for pigmentation issues, professional facial treatments offer several advantages:

1. Customisation: A skincare professional can assess your skin type and specific pigmentation concerns to tailor a treatment plan that effectively addresses your needs.
2. Strength and efficacy: Professional-grade products and treatments often contain higher concentrations of active ingredients, leading to more significant and long-lasting results than over-the-counter alternatives.
3. Supervision and safety: Undergoing facial treatments at a reputable spa or medical facility ensures that procedures are performed safely and under the supervision of trained professionals, minimising the risk of adverse reactions.

How many facial treatment sessions will you need?

The number of facial sessions required to remove pigmentation will depend on the type and severity of pigmentation, skin type and the specific facial treatments used. While some individuals may see improvement after just one facial session, others may require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results. 

Generally, 3 to 6 sessions may be enough for mild issues like sunspots. Moderate concerns like melasma require 6 to 10 sessions. Severe pigmentation could need 10 to 12 sessions or more. Results take time, and consistency is important.

Skin pigmentation facial treatments by SkinLab

SkinLab offers a range of skin pigmentation facial treatments. Here are some of our signature treatments.

Peptide Peel Facial + Lumenis M22 Laser 

The Peptide Peel Facial, combined with the Lumenis M22 Laser, utilises a specialised blend of six different acids, including alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), to gently exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover. The formulation is designed to inhibit the activity of melanocytes to prevent the formation of new pigmentation and reduce the appearance of existing pigmented areas.

The Lumenis M22 IPL photorejuvenation further enhances skin rejuvenation and pigmentation correction. It targets pigmented areas and stimulates collagen production in the skin. By breaking up excess melanin and promoting collagen synthesis, the Lumenis M22 IPL treatment helps fade pigmentation, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Vitamin C Infusion Facial

 This facial harnesses the power of medical-grade vitamin C to whiten, brighten, and lighten the complexion. In addition to its pigmentation-correcting properties, vitamin C also helps defend against harmful free radicals, boost collagen production, and diminish dark spots, resulting in radiant, youthful-looking skin.

Melasma Peel Facial

 This facial features a proprietary blend of medical-grade AHAs and active ingredients designed to lighten melanin pigment within the skin. Natural aloe and cucumber extracts help moisturise and brighten the uneven complexion, leaving skin refreshed and rejuvenated.

Discover more treatment options for pigmentation including lasers and microneedling here. 

Get pigmentation treatment in Singapore

If you’re struggling with pigmentation issues and seeking professional treatment, look no further than SkinLab Medical Spa. With our specialised facial treatments and expert skincare professionals, you can achieve clearer, even-toned skin and regain confidence. 

Say goodbye to pigmentation woes and hello to a brighter, more radiant complexion with SkinLab’s treatments. 

Schedule your consultation today.