Abnormal skin pigmentation is one of the commonest skin problems. Skin pigmentation is caused when the skin's protective melanin response is overloaded by excessive sun exposure, hormones, drugs or skin trauma. Caucasian skins are vulnerable to pigmentation caused by sun damage. Asian skins can be very vulnerable to abnormal pigmentation when traumatised, for example by acne.
The Clearskincare Pigmentation Programme will help reduce the appearance of abnormal pigmentation. Reduction in the appearance of skin pigmentation requires absolute sun protection, as new sun exposure may stimulate pigment production, particularly in parts of the skin that have pigmented abnormally in the past. The Clearskincare Pigmentation Programme can be adjusted for each individual.
The patient on the bottom right has had one in Clinic treatment with Clearskincare Medical Roller and 3 months using Clearskincare New Skin and another Clearskincare cream at night. Note significant improvement in her pigmentation, skin texture and skin sagging around the jawline.
Fractional Laser and the treatment of Sun Damage, Lines and Wrinkles
Since the early 1990s, Ablative Lasers (lasers that burn the outer layers of the skin) have become the high tech equivalent of surgical dermabrasion or deep chemical peels for skin resurfacing. Ablative skin resurfacing with lasers declined in popularity due to the high level of unacceptable complications (particularly loss of skin colour on treated areas) and the development of less aggressive, but equally effective laser treatments.
What are Ablative and Non-Ablative Lasers and how do they work?
A laser is a high-energy beam of light that can be aimed into certain areas and structures within the skin. These beams of light are made up of one wavelength and can vary in terms of their strength and the type of tissue that they can target.
The process of directing a light source to target a selected area of the skin to damage it is technically known as "selective photothermolysis" (thermolysis - decompose by heat and photo - light.)
Ablative Lasers
Ablative or skin resurfacing lasers direct an intense burst of laser energy onto the surface of the skin. This energy heats water within the surface layers of the skin, causing both the water and the tissue of the skin to vapourise. Every time the laser passes over the skin, some of the outermost layers of the skin are removed in a precise and controlled way.
This intensive treatment can significantly reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and pigment (or skin colour) changes on the face, neck, and other parts of the body. Acne and other types of scars and certain stretch marks can also be improved.
There are two main types of ablative laser - carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, and erbium:YAG lasers.
Non - Ablative Lasers
Non-ablative lasers have lower energy levels than ablative lasers and try to cause damage within the dermal layer of the skin without removal of the outer epidermal layers. This lessens the recovery period after the treatment and reduces the number of complications that can occur.
New collagen is produced via a heat injury to the dermis, which helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. However, the results from this type of procedure are less obvious than those which can be achieved with ablative laser skin resurfacing during which the surface of the skin is removed.
Fractional Laser Resurfacing (Fractitional Photothermolysis)
Fractional Photothermolysis causes tiny dot, or pixel-like damage to treated areas in the skin, leaving most of the surrounding skin intact - fractional damage. The key to safely resurfacing the skin is doing it fractitionally, and this can be done with lasers or with needles (Skin Needling). Fractional Skin Resurfacing allows the skin to heal much faster than if the whole area was treated, as the healthy, untreated tissue surrounding the treated tissue acts as a natural bandage whilst the treated area heals.
Fractional Photothermolysis or Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing can be compared to the precise alteration of digital photographs that is now possible; pixel by pixel.
Fractional Skin Resurfacing aims to achieve comparable skin improvements as ablative laser resurfacing without the associated side effects or downtime.
Optimal improvement after Fractional Skin Resurfacing is usually visible in about 2 - 3 months as collagen remodelling and skin tightening continues. The longevity of results is comparable to ablative laser resurfacing and as always is dependent on future ageing, the effects of gravity and sun exposure.
Fractional Skin Resurfacing and Sun Damage, Lines and Wrinkles
Fractional CO2 resurfacing is a very good treatment for treatment resistant pigmentation. Most pigmentation can be successfully removed with the right combination of prescription skin creams and Intense Pulsed Light therapy (IPL is only suitable for light skins). There are a group of patients (approx 10%) who have really treatment resistant pigmentation and whose pigment can only be removed by fractional skin resurfacing. Fractional Skin Resurfacing shatters the pigment in the dermal layer of the skin, leaving the skin a rosy pink for several weeks after treatment. Care must be taken to ensure this skin is protected from sun exposure as this will lead to the skin repigmenting.
At Clearskincare, we offer a range of treatments for all types of pigmentation. We assess your skin and give you options that take into account your wishes and your budget. These options include –
