Here at Cheshire Lasers, we offer a wide range of treatments for improving pigmentation. Different treatments often suit different pigment conditions.
On this page, we discuss the different conditions and what we recommend to improve them.
Birthmarks
Some birthmarks are easy to treat, while others are much more difficult. At Cheshire Lasers, we are able to successfully treat vascular birthmarks such as port wine stains with our advanced IPL Lumina system.
Brown birthmarks are much harder to treat and do not always respond to treatment; an ND Yag laser would be used to treat this type of pigmentation. If the brown birthmark does respond and go, there is a 50% risk it will recur over a 2-year period. We often recommend you visit Lynton Lasers in Homes Chapel for these as they have a different laser than can be used.
Age spots and Freckles
IPL and Laser
Age spots, pigmentation caused by sun damage and freckles respond nicely to our advanced IPL Lumina system. Our IPL treatment is fantastic for small spots and patches of pigment. If the response is poor we can use the ND Yag laser instead.
This treatment is usually only suitable for skin types 1 to 3.
Before starting treatment we may recommend you use a lightening skin product from one of our skin care product ranges 2- 6 weeks before starting an IPL or Laser treatment. This is often required for skins that are darker or are more prone to pigmentation.
For IPL and Laser treatment please book a consultation with Natasha our laser technician. She will advise you how to proceed and if you are ready to go ahead with treatment she can do a test patch at the time of the consultation.
Prescription Lightening Products
We can also treat these lesions with prescription lightening creams, the results are optimised if you a prescription regime of products such as the Obagi NuDerm system which gives fantastic results, or the ZO Medical System.
The Perfect Peel
Some people prefer to treat their pigmentation with a peel. This is usually recommended by us for people with a larger areas of pigmentation. The advantages of the perfect peel is the minimal down time compared to IPL and lasers and the process is pain free. After one application the age spots are remarkably lighter and many people are happy. However a course of 2-3 peels may be required for them to be unnoticeable. The ingredients not only improve pigmentation but also increase collagen and elastin production, resulting in skin that is brighter and tighter. Find out more about the perfect peel here.
Melasma
Melasma presents as dark, irregular patches on the face that develop over time. The dark patches are commonly found on sun-exposed areas such as the upper cheeks, nose, upper lip and forehead. Melasma is most common in women and is often triggered by pregnancy and or the contraceptive pill. Melasma worsens when the skin is exposed to sunlight, especially in the summer.
The treatment of melasma can be tricky with some people. The superficial (epidermal) type melasma often shows an excellent response to therapy. However, deeper melasma (dermal melasma) can often have a suboptimal effect on many treatments. This is why the first step to treatment involves a detailed consultation with one of our healthcare professionals. The cause and type of melasma can be established and treatment can be individualised and tailored to each patient’s needs.
There are several treatments available at Cheshire Lasers to treat Melasma.
The Obagi NuDerm system
The Obagi NuDerm system gives fantastic results with melasma, even after a few weeks use, the pigment usually looks so much better. You need to continue on the system for 18 weeks, after which your skin usually looks great. After 18 weeks you need to go on to a simpler maintenance regime to avoid rebound pigmentation. If you suddenly stop the treatment, the pigment usually comes back. Occasionally, stubborn Melasma may need a peel to complete the treatment on this system.
Cysteamine Cream
Cystamine is a fantastic skin-lightening agent used to treat hyperpigmentation disorders such as age spots, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
It is a novel, highly effective alternative to prescription treatments such as hydroquinone and tretinoin. All skin types can use Cysteamine Cream, including dark skin and is a great option for stubborn pigmentation, including melasma and post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Find out more about Cyspera Intensive Cysteamine Cream here.
Find out about Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector here
To discuss this, book a consultation with Natasha or Anna.
The Perfect Peel
The Perfect Peel can be used on its own for melasma in fair-skinned patients. Peels should be used very carefully for darker skin types and often, a combination of treatments are required. This is because they are associated with a higher risk of post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation ( PIH) after skin injury. Hence a consultation is required before having this peel.
At Cheshire Lasers, we do not like to use our Intense Pulsed Light or ND Yag Laser to treat Melasma. There is a higher risk of side effects and the response rate is poor.
Find out more general information about pigmentation removal at Cheshire Lasers Clinic here.
Preventing Melasma and Pigmentation
The challenge with treating melasma and some pigmentation is that it commonly relapses after treatment.
The most important way of preventing pigmentation is to wear a good sun protection all year round and a sun block in the Summer.
To try and prevent melasma and stubborn pigmentation maintenance therapy is required. This can be performed using similar skin care to what is used for its treatment but on a maintenance regime. We recommend you start skin care immediately after treatment. We also advise you attend regular reviews at the clinic in case your regime needs changing. So we can help you manage the pigmentation to reduce the risk of it returning.
For a more holistic approach there is increasing evidence that diet has a significant impact on skin inflammation, post inflammatory acne, and melasma. If you struggle with pigmentation and can not get it under control. We highly recommend an assessment with Dr Priyanka at Cheshire Lasers to look at your Pigmentation, your removal treatments so far and to explore this holistic approach.