The Asian Age

A ‘spot’ of BRIGHTNESS

Hyper and hypo pigmentati­on will now be a thing of the past as peels and lasers will help your skin look more radiant and beautiful

- DR SHUBA DHARMANA – The writer is a dermatolog­ist. Disclaimer: Always check with a cosmetic surgeon before going ahead with this procedure.

Excessive pigmentati­on is also known as hyperpigme­ntation, low pigmentati­on and Hypopigmen­tation. Hyperpigme­ntation happens when there is an injury or attack to the skin that causes the melanin pigment to deposit in the areas causing darker spots. Some of the common conditions causing pigmentati­on are skin diseases such as acne, eczema, lupus, dermatitis, the mask of pregnancy – ‘Melasma’, certain medical conditions like adrenal disorders, medication, injury, tumors, birthmarks and allergic reactions . Depigmenta­tion helps with troublesom­e pigmentati­on problems occurring due to such conditions. The ‘Brighten and Correct’ combinatio­n approach with which modalities like peels along with pigment laser sessions work best for treating pigmentati­on with appropriat­e sun and skin care programmes.

The pigment lasers use Q switch technology to break down the melanin pigment. They use the powerful photoacous­tic technology with which they break the pigment down into smaller particles which is then cleared by your body in time. This laser not only treats pigmentati­on and spots but also freckles, sun damage, tan and dullness. Peels work by exfoliatin­g the top layers of the skin so that the skin below shows a more even skin tone and lighter pigmentati­on. Along with the peel sessions interspers­ed in between the laser sessions, skin lightening creams may often be given to prepare the skin, enhance the penetratio­n or to lighten the spots.

During these sessions, and after, it is important to take good care of the skin with proper skin care products and the use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50.

Dos and Dont’s for pre and post treatment

Take post care instructio­ns clearly from your treating doctor.

Sun protection measures are a must. Use a good sunscreen with SPF 50.

Oral sunscreen agents give you additional protection.

Avoid makeup applicatio­n for 24 hours post treatment.

Do not pick, pull or rub peeling skin. If you have sensitive skin, your doctor may give you a test patch to check your reaction.

Cost: The peels will cost upto `5,000 per session and the laser treatment will cost ` 15,000 per session.

 ??  ?? Picture of Olivia Munn used for representa­tional purposes only
Picture of Olivia Munn used for representa­tional purposes only
 ?? Dr Shuba Dharmana ??
Dr Shuba Dharmana

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