Most people intheir teens and 20sare blissfully ignorant of the damage that too much sun can have on their skin. However, the damage becomes apparent as they age, because issues such as pigmentation start show on the skin. There are various treatments that have been used to reduce these discolorations, but what is the best pigmentation treatment Sydney to get rid of pigmentation.

Skin pigmentation is a common condition that can take years to manifest. It can affect all parts of the body, but is usually very noticeable on the face, hands, and decolletage.

Why you develop pigmentation patches

Pigmentation refers to small dark patches on the skin. They are usually the result of the overproduction of melanin in the skin, a condition that is brought on by overexposure to sunlight.

Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its colour, but too much UV exposure can speed up the rate at which melanin forms. The brown spots develop when the melanin clusters together, and does not disperse throughout the skin as it should.

Hormonal imbalance, genetics, and certain medications can also cause pigmentation issues.

Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen all year round can reduce the risk of future sun damage, and also prevent existing sun damage from getting worse.

Treating Pigmentation

While some topical products can help pigmentation, they often don’t totally resolve it. Depending on the type of pigmentation issues you have, a series of intense pulsed light (IPL) treatmentsmay be the best option for you.

Although having a few sun spots here and there may be harmless, uneven skin tone can add many years to your face. However, IPL is a speedy solution that can help roll back the time.

Existing IPL treatments are more advanced and less painful than in the past. Newer IPL technologies are able to effectively penetrate to the dermis, and selectively target pigmentation.

IPL technology

IPL is a light based treatment that directs multiple wavelengths of light to the skin. It is a high powered output that is delivered into the skin in a short period. There is only moderate discomfort during treatment, and there is no downtime. For best results, doctors generally recommend a course of 3 treatments, done at 2-4 week intervals.

How it works

During a 15-30 minute IPL treatment session the hand-held device is moved over the skin, and selectively targets the areas of pigmentation. The device emits short bursts of intense light that quickly turns to heat and are absorbed by the pigments, which eventually break down.

IPL can produce lasting results, but a lot depends on how diligent you are about using sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays in the future. You may also need maintenancetreatments in order to keep the results.

What to expect

The pigments may get darker after treatment, and the skin may also be red and sensitive. There may also be some flaking as the dark pigments are forced to the skin’s surface, and then naturally falloff.

Most patients experience a dramatic improvement in pigmentation after the course of IPL treatments. The complexion is clearer, smoother, and more even-toned.

Advantages of IPL

• Very versatile. IPL treatments rejuvenate the skin, and treat a variety of skin issues such as melasma, acne, and rosacea.
• Targets melanin and does not disrupt the other structures in the skin. This makes it particularly effective for treating pigmentation.
• Stimulates collagen production to improve the texture of the skin, making it tighter and more youthful.
• Minimally invasive treatment that works quickly, and there is no downtime, so patients can usually return to work the same day.

Maintaining a pigmentation-free complexion is a great way to maintain a youthful appearance. If you think IPL may be the right treatment for you, it is important to visit a dermatologist for proper advice.