Pigment
There are different types of brown spots, such as sun spots, freckles, melasma and other pigmented lesions. It is quite common that one may have more than one type of brown spots on their face. Therefore, multiple treatments are sometimes required for best results.
Sun Spots (also known as “age spots” or lentigines)
Sun spots are usually seen in people over 40 years old. They appear as brown or brown-black spots on sun-exposed areas.
Freckles
Freckles usually appear in early childhood as small pale brown spot. Freckles occur in areas exposed to the sun, usually on the cheeks and the nose.
Melasma (also known as chloasma or “pregnancy mask”)
Melasma most commonly appears during pregnancy, in women who take oral contraceptives or hormonal replacement therapy and those going through hormonal changes (e.g. menopause). This disorder is most common among Asians and other skin of color.
Sunscreens are vital in the prevention of pigmentation, because sun exposure is an important factor that causes pigment. The most effective sunscreens for preventing pigmentation should contain Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen products that our physicians have carefully chosen for you.
Treatment Suggestions
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The first and leading choice for skin revitalization treatments for Wrinkles, Acne Scars and Pigment such as freckles, sunspots and discoloration.
PicoSure is the first of a new generation of aesthetic lasers that don’t rely solely on heat to burn away melanin, the pigment that causes dark spots in your skin. Instead of building up heat, PicoSure delivers energy so rapidly (in trillionths of a second = picosecond) that tiny particles of the pigment vibrate and shatter, without burning surrounding tissue. Less heat means less tissue damage and discomfort.
PicoSure’s PressureWave™ technology uses a unique wavelength of light (755nm) and a proprietary Focus™ lens to convert laser energy into gentle pressure. The Focus Lens Array delivers 20x the energy density of a normal PicoSure pulse to begin activating cell signaling. This pressure squeezes cells, activating the natural cell signaling processes that create new collagen and elastin and, ultimately revitalizes skin.
The result? Brighter, Healthier, Younger-looking skin—with virtually no downtime. That’s breakthrough!
To learn more http://www.picosure.com/
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) uses gentle pulses of intense, optimized light to treat undesirable pigment and blood vessels. It can also stimulate the production of collagen and new skin cells. The result is a more even-coloured skin tone, smaller pore size, softer and smoother skin, radiant complexion, and an overall revitalized appearance.
It requires no anesthesia and there is no down time after treatment. A series of 3-6 treatments is recommended to obtain the best result.
To learn more: https://www.cynosure.com/treatments/sun-damage-and-brown-spots/
Spectra VRM III™ Laser is an award-winning laser system that features a soft laser approach to stimulate the skin’s collagen and fibroblast, resulting in smaller pore size and firmer skin. Studies have confirmed that it can improve fine lines, achieve a more refreshed appearance, smoother skin texture and an even skin tone. Laser skin rejuvenation is a gradual process. Usually patients need 4-6 treatments spaced at 3-5 weeks apart.
To learn more: Spectra Laser Patient Brochure
MedLite® Q-switched Laser is one of the most technologically advanced lasers to treat a variety of pigmented lesions, tattoos and more. Q-switched Laser can selectively remove the excessive brown to black pigment such as sun spots and birth marks. It can treat even the most stubborn pigment such as Melasma and Hori’s Nevus, which are common conditions in Asian skin type.
When it comes to Tattoo Removal, Q-switched Nd: YAG Laser represents the gold standard. It provides maximum tattoo removal while leaving the surrounding skin unharmed.
To learn more: http://www.cynosure.com/product/medlite-c6/
Fotona SP Dynamis is the most advanced multi-application laser device on the market that can treat a variety of skin conditions with little-to-no downtime. By combining two complementary laser wavelengths (Nd:YAG and Er:YAG), the Fotona SP Dynamis can perform a wide range of applications with immediate and long term results.
Nd:YAG wavelength is effective for reaching the deepest layers of the skin structures without damaging the epidermis (the top layer of your skin), regardless of skin type. It can effectively lighten pigment, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, tighten and rejuvenate skin, improve skin texture and complexion, treat acne, veins and vascular lesions.
Er:YAG wavelength is ideal for brushing away surface imperfections to reveal a more youthful appearance. It can lift your skin in the perioral area from the inside out and improve acne or surgical scars.
To learn more: Fotona Laser Peels for wrinkles, texture, pores and spots
Vbeam Perfecta® Pulsed Dye Laser is the gold standard in the treatment of facial capillaries, rosacea, red acne blemish, surgical or keloid scars, angiomas and port wine stain birth marks. It’s unique micro-pulse technology provides gentle vessel heating, allowing effective and consistent results without any downtime. From rejuvenation to eliminating virtually all red and brown spots, the Vbeam Perfecta® can treat most skin types quickly, comfortably and effectively.
To learn more: Vbeam Perfecta Patient Brochure
The Apogee® is a Long Pulse 755nm Alexandrite Laser which has high melanin absorption characteristics and proven long-term results for permanent hair reduction. This Laser is capable of delivering high fluence from large spot sizes which ensure deeper penetration, faster treatment sessions and optimal results. It is also one of the best lasers for removing those fine hairs on face and arms.
In addition, the long pulse 755 nm laser is a safe and effective modality for removing benign pigmented lesions like sun spots. It is a good complement to our other pigment removal technologies like Intense Pulse Light (IPL) and Q-switched laser.
To learn more: https://www.cynosure.com/product/apogee/
Fractional Laser Resurfacing (Lux1540, non-ablative) is a technology which promises to deliver results approaching that of deep chemical peels or ablative laser resurfacing, without the discomfort and inconvenience of a lengthy healing period.
Fractional Laser Resurfacing uses laser energy microbeams to break down skin tissue through the epidermis into the dermis. The body’s natural healing process creates new, healthy tissue to replace the areas of affected tissue, resulting in lighter scar color and a more even skin texture. This technology is the first to receive FDA-approval for treating Stretch marks. Additional treatments are usually spaced 1 to 4 weeks apart, for a total of 4-5 treatments. Further collagen remodeling and some skin tightening take place over the next 3-6 months.
To learn more: Fractional Laser Resurfacing Lux1540 Patient Brochure
SilkPeel™ Infusion Treatment features Dermal-infusion™ technology to exfoliate and penetrate patient-specific solutions directly to the skin. The procedure is non-invasive and even soothing; SilkPeel’s wet exfoliation leaves your skin silky smooth, hydrated, bright, and full of the youthful, healthy glow. Three condition-specific Dermal-infusion™ serums are available (Hydrating, Brightening and Clarifying Formulae) to suit your specific skin type.
To learn more: Silkpeel Dermal Infusion Patient Brochure
Chemical Peeling is an accelerated form of exfoliation induced by a chemical agent applied to the skin. This treatment stimulates cell growth, replaces aged cells with younger ones and at the same time stimulates production of new collagen in the dermis. It can give you a smoother, more refined skin texture, lighten irregular pigmentation (including melasma), clear clogged pores, decrease white and black heads, and improve acne.
To learn more http://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-chemical-peel-treatments#1
Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen) can be used to freeze a small seborrheic keratosis. Liquid nitrogen works by freezing and destroying the cells but leaving the connective tissue foundation intact. When the crust falls off after several days, the skin underneath has begun to repair itself.
Electrodesiccation is a fast and simple office-based procedure that uses electric current delivered via a needle-shaped electrode to destroy superficial skin lesions while leaving deeper tissue undamaged. Electrodesiccation is used for treatment of Skin tags, Seborrheic Keratosis and Dermatosis Pigmentosa Nigra.
Only exclusively available in physician’s office, we also offer prescription-strength topical skincare products for treatment of sun spots, melasma and freckles. It is a great complement to laser or light therapies.
Because sun exposure is an important factor for causing pigment, all patients should use daily, broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF30+ and minimize sun exposure. The most effective sunscreens for preventing pigmentation should contain Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. Our physicians have carefully chosen our sunscreen products that are not only effective, but also suitable for the most sensitive skin!
