Pigmentation Removal Treatment in Singapore:
Visibly Clearer Skin in Just 1 Session

Whether you’re fair, tan, or somewhere in between, pigmentation is what gives your skin its colour. Due to factors such as genetics and excess sun exposure, however, spots or patches of your skin may be darker than the rest. Luckily, freckles, birthmarks, age spots and other unwanted pigmentation can be easily removed with pigmentation removal treatment. Today, we delve deep into the topic of pigmentation, covering aspects such as causes, the types of pigmentation removal treatments available and the cost of pigmentation removal in Singapore.

What Causes Pigmentation?

The three primary causes of pigmentation are genes, sun exposure and hormones.

Genes: Birthmarks, which refers to pigmentation formed at or shortly after birth, falls under this category. Freckles and sun spots are hereditary, so if you have one or more parents with pigmentation, you’re more prone to having it than other people.

Sun exposure: Prolonged sun exposure, especially in the absence of sunscreen, can cause the size of melanocytes (specialised cells which produce melanin) to increase and pigment to form.

Hormones: Women are more prone to pigmentation (3x greater risk than men), especially during periods of large hormonal fluctuations (i.e., during or after pregnancy, during menopause).

Want to know what’s causing your pigmentation? Consult our skincare professionals today for their opinion.

What is Pigmentation Removal?

Pigmentation removal is a process in which unwanted pigmentation is removed from the skin, typically through equipment like lasers. At HAACH, we use intense pulsed light (IPL) in our treatment plans for pigmentation removal, which effectively targets and breaks down excess melanin for smooth, evenly-coloured skin.

Types of Pigmentation

Melasma

Dark grey or grey-brown patches on both sides of the face, melasma is typically caused by waxing, inflammation, hormones, sun exposure, diet and chemicals.

Freckles

Freckles are flat brown marks that appear on a person’s skin. Excessive sun exposure can cause freckles, and they can be transmitted genetically via the MC1R gene. Typically, they are smaller than 0.5cm.

Birthmarks

Birthmarks are formed during birth or shortly after (e.g., weeks later). There are two main types of birthmarks: pigmented birthmarks and vascular birthmarks. While pigmented birthmarks are caused by an overgrowth of cells, vascular birthmarks are a result of incorrect blood vessel formation.

Solar Lentigines (Sun spots)

Sun spots appear as tan, brown or black spots on the skin. Typically appearing later in life, solar lentigines or sun spots are caused by UV radiation from the sun’s rays or tanning beds. Generally, sun spots range from 0.5cm-2 cm in size.

Post inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Caused by 1 of 2 mechanisms (epidermal or dermal melanosis), post inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces extra melanin following skin inflammation or an injury. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can take the form of dark marks or blemishes.

Hori’s Naevus

Hori’s naevus manifests as multiple discoloured spots ranging from blue-brown to slate-grey, and typically forms in older adults. Hori’s nevus develops in the deeper layers of the skin, unlike freckles which are formed on its surface.

Melanocytic Naevi (Moles)

Moles are formed by clusters of pigmented cells (melanocytes). Moles come in different colours, shapes and sizes and can be flat or raised. Typically, they appear during childhood and adolescence, but new moles may appear up till the age of 50.

Seborrheic Keratosis (Age spots)

Age spots are small, flat and irregularly shaped dark areas on the skin. As their name implies, age spots are correlated with age, appearing typically in middle age and later. However, sun exposure means they can form much earlier (e.g., 20s). Age spots are also referred to as “sun spots”.

Sebaceous Hyperplasia

Sebaceous hyperplasia are small, yellow bumps that form due to clogged skin follicles. Typically, it develops in adults aged above 40: the older you are, the more susceptible you are.

Types of Pigmentation Removal Treatment

At HAACH, we offer a total of 8 pigmentation removal treatments based on IPL (intense pulsed light) technology, which also goes by the terms “photofacial” and “photorejuvenation”. One common misconception people have is that IPL is a type of laser treatment. In reality, IPL treatment and laser treatment are different. IPL targets the lower layers of skin (dermis) and breaks down the pigment melanin to eradicate or reduce any blemishes or flaws. Lasers, in comparison, “resurface” the skin by targeting its top layers (epidermis).

Unlike lasers, which focus on only one wavelength of light, IPL releases several wavelengths on the target area to address multiple conditions simultaneously and treat a larger area faster. On your face, IPL has a twofold advantage of reducing pigmentation while stimulating the production of collagen at the same time. As your treatment progresses, its effects will become significantly more pronounced, which is why we recommend multiple treatments at regular intervals.