17 Jan, 2023

BalaBala's Top 5 Tips for Treating Pigmentation

Laser Pigmentation Removal

This page covers the causes of pigmentation, treatment options including laser pigmentation removal, and expert tips for achieving even skin tone for those struggling with pigmentation and uneven skin tone. Understanding your options is essential to help you choose the best treatment for your skin.

Understanding Pigmentation and Its Causes

Pigmentation is a common skin concern that can be caused by a variety of factors, including sun damage, genetics, hormones, and age. These factors can lead to the development of uneven skin tone, dark spots, freckles, melasma, and other forms of hyperpigmentation. Because there are many causes and types of pigmentation, it can often be a stubborn skin concern to treat without professional help.

Why Laser Treatments for Pigmentation Removal Matter

Laser pigmentation removal is a highly effective treatment for targeting unwanted pigmentation. During laser pigmentation removal, the laser light is absorbed by the targeted melanin, causing the pigment to break into tiny particles that can be reabsorbed by the body's natural cleaning system, the lymphatic system. The laser targets only the pigmented cells, preserving surrounding healthy skin. The process of laser pigmentation removal relies on Selective Photothermolysis, a principle that targets specific wavelengths of light absorbed by melanin without damaging surrounding tissues.

At BalaBala Laser Clinic, our team of cosmetic nurses and laser specialists have experience in treating all types of pigmentation, including sun damage, freckles, age spots, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and more. We specialise in pigmentation removal treatments, including the world’s most advanced picosecond laser, PicoSure.

To help you address pigmentation concerns, here are our top five tips.

Top 5 Tips for Treating Pigmentation and Uneven Skin Tone

Wear sunscreen daily

One of the most effective ways to prevent pigmentation is to protect your skin from UV rays. UV rays can cause an increase in the production of melanin, leading to darker skin pigmentation. It’s important to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply as needed throughout the day, especially when spending time outdoors or in the sun. You should also look for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, meaning it protects from both UVA and UVB rays. Being diligent with your sun protection is especially important when receiving treatments for skin pigmentation concerns, because after treatment your skin may feel like a mild sunburn with some redness or mild swelling. Avoiding sun exposure helps prevent further pigmentation from developing and undoing your treatment progress.
Change up your skincare routine and skin treatments

Incorporating skincare ingredients that inhibit melanin production can help lighten pigmentation. Melanin is the pigment that gives colour to your skin, hair, and eyes. Tyrosinase inhibitors and melanosome transfer inhibitors are skincare ingredients that are known to inhibit melanin production, therefore can be effective in treating pigmentation. Key ingredients include:
- Azelaic acid: a naturally occurring compound and tyrosinase inhibitor, found in over-the-counter skin care products.
- Niacinamide: a form of vitamin B3, known to be a melanosome transfer inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties, beneficial for improving hyperpigmentation.
Consider chemical peels

Chemical peels can help to lighten superficial pigmentation and brighten the complexion. Chemical peels work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells, revealing the brighter, more even-toned skin underneath. At BalaBala Laser Clinic, we offer a range of Mesoestetic peels of varying types and strengths, including:
- Glycolic acid (AHA)
- Lactic acid (AHA)
- Mandelic acid (AHA)
Consult with our friendly staff about which chemical peel treatment will be best suited to your skin concerns.
Look into laser treatments

For deeper pigmentation, laser treatments may be the most effective option, with deep target precision that can break up stubborn pigment clusters topical products cannot fix. BalaBala Laser Clinic offers PicoSure laser - an advanced skin rejuvenation treatment for unwanted pigmentation. PicoSure laser treats pigmentation by delivering ultrashort picosecond pulses to the skin. The laser is absorbed by excess melanin in pigmented cells to preserve surrounding healthy skin. These ultra-short pulses penetrate deep into the skin to shatter tiny pigment particles without burning the surrounding tissue. These broken down pigment particles are then cleared through the lymphatic system.

Most patients require a series of 2 to 6 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart to achieve optimal results for pigmentation removal. Potential side effects of laser pigmentation removal include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and temporary skin irritation.

We also offer Fotona laser and IPL treatments - see our full list of pigmentation treatments here.
Book a skin consultation with an expert for your skin concerns

At BalaBala Laser Clinic, we offer complimentary skin consultations to all of our clients. This is an opportunity to speak with our team about your pigmentation concerns, so we can tailor a treatment plan to your needs, explain whether most patients may need 2 to 6 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart for optimal results, and help you better understand the treatment options available to you. Your skin consultation will include a Visia skin analysis, which is a powerful tool that helps us to analyse your pigmentation concerns. Everyone’s skin type and pigmentation concerns are different, which is why this consultation is the first crucial step in helping you feel comfortable and giving you confidence in a personalised treatment plan to achieve your desired results.

Tackling pigmentation can be a complex task. However, using a combination of treatments is often the key to successfully achieving a more even skin tone and improving the appearance of pigmentation.

If you're ready to take the next step, here's how to get started.

Book Your Complimentary Skin Consultation for Skin Concerns

At BalaBala Laser Clinic, we specialise in pigmentation treatments and have successfully helped thousands of clients achieve their skin goals. With a range of specialist treatments available, including PicoSure laser, chemical peels, and mesotherapy, we can help you find the best solution for your pigmentation concerns.