Pigmentation treatment, planned around the type you have.

Pigmentation happens when the skin produces too much melanin. The most common trigger is excessive sun or UV exposure, and Singapore's year-round sun makes sun damage more likely. Other causes include hormonal changes such as pregnancy, genetics (darker skin types are more susceptible), skin inflammation or injury such as acne, heat even without direct sunlight, pollutants, and medicines that cause photosensitivity, such as doxycycline, retinoid acne medicines and oral contraceptives.

By their pattern. Melasma forms larger, blotchy brown patches, usually on both cheeks, the forehead and upper lip, and is linked to hormones and sun. Freckles are small, flat spots that run in families and darken in the sun. Sun spots (solar lentigos) are larger, more defined spots from sun damage, common after 40. Dark marks after acne are post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. A doctor can tell them apart, and the type decides the treatment.

It depends on the type, and pigmentation is usually lightened rather than erased. Lightening creams work slowly; hydroquinone is prescription-only in Singapore, while others use liquorice extract or niacinamide. Retinoids are useful because they curb melanin production and speed up cell turnover; tretinoin, the most commonly prescribed, should be used only as your doctor instructs. Lasers and RF microneedling target specific types. We also offer chemical peels, which reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation by removing the top layer of skin but make it more sun-sensitive.

Pigment lasers deliver very short pulses that break pigment into tiny particles, which the skin then clears naturally, with minimal effect on the surrounding skin. PICO Laser uses PicoSure, a 755 nm picosecond laser whose low heat output creates a photomechanical effect; its Focus Lens Array also stimulates collagen for texture. We also offer a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, which works in a similar way with longer, nanosecond pulses. Your doctor sets the laser and the interval between sessions for your type.

It depends on the type of pigmentation and the treatment. For PICO Laser, a series of 6 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart, is usually recommended; redness lasts about 1–2 days, and treated freckles or sun spots may form a thin scab that flakes off. Gold Microneedling RF causes redness and swelling during and just after treatment, and most people carry on with daily life. Follow the number of sessions your doctor recommends closely.

It can, especially melasma, so aftercare is part of the plan. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, melasma commonly returns when skin is exposed to the sun without protection. After you complete your pigmentation treatment, maintenance treatments are recommended to keep results. Proper skincare and sun protection should also be adopted, especially in Singapore's sunny climate. Together, these can reduce the chances of your pigmentation coming back.

Not all pigmentation can be prevented, but you can reduce the onset or worsening of it. Sun exposure is the biggest culprit, so minimise strong sun and use topical and, where appropriate, oral UV protection. If you take skin-brightening supplements, check the dose and active ingredients, the country of production and whether the manufacturer tests for product safety.

See a doctor before any cosmetic treatment if a spot is new, growing, changing in shape or colour, bleeding, itchy or looks different from your other spots. Most pigmentation is harmless, but some skin cancers can look like a dark spot at first, so these need a medical check rather than a pigmentation treatment.