Nip & Tuck

What’s the best way to get rid of my sun spots?

QIN my 20s and 30s, I was a total sun worshipper, and now I have bands of dark skin across my forehead and uneven skin pigmentation on my cheeks. How can I even out my skin tone? A PaTchy pigmentation from sun exposure, known as melasma or chloasma, is common and can affect women of all ages — particularly if they have taken oral contraceptive pills or after pregnancy due to the hormonal changes. The best way to prevent it is to avoid sun exposure or wear high-factor sunscreen.

Melasma can be difficult to treat. certain products reduce the activity of pigment-producing cells in the skin — hydroquinone is the most common, but it can only be prescribed by a doctor, as it can irritate the skin. azelaic, kojic and retinol-based products can help improve melasma, too, by lightening the affected skin.

chemical peels can also be used to strip away the outer layer of cells in the skin that contain the excess pigment. results depend on the depth of the pigment. There are other considerations, too, with certain skin types and ethnicities.

Some types of laser can be an option. These target the pigment cells to improve skin tone. They can be used alone, but are often combined with skin-lightening products to give the best effect.

The potential side-effects are similar to those of peels.

Do consult a dermatologist or a cosmetic doctor specialising in pigmentation problems.