Skin Lightening
There are several skin types that are treated differently.
7 types.
The first thing to know is that patients' skin types can be categorized. There are 7 skin types numbered 1 to 6. Skin Type 1 is the lightest and skin type 6 is the darkest.
Skin Types
The seven skin types are subjective assessments based on the Fitzpatrick scale and are defined by how they react to sunlight exposure “after the first one hour of sun exposure on previously unexposed skin on the first day of spring”. Slight variations on the definitions of the phototypes appear in the literature. Progression from type I to type VI often correlates with increasing baseline skin pigmentation
Type 1 Always burns, never tans
Type 2 Always burns, minimal tan
Type 3 Burns minimally, gradually tans
Type 4 Burns minimally, tans well
Type 5 Very rarely burns, tans profusely
Type 6 Never burns, tans deeply
Only skin types 1, 2, and 3 are eligible for our skin lightening procedures using a laser called IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)The IPL light passes through the skin, treating brown and red areas of the skin, The laser pulls the pigment to the surface of the skin, creating a coffee-ground-like texture. This coffee ground texture flakes off of the skin naturally after 4-5 days. The treatment takes about 30 minutes to complete. We ask patients not to exercise for hours after receiving any laser treatment, Generally we expect patients to need three to five of these treatments, spaced out by a 1 month window. Therefore, the lightening of the skin gradually occurs over 3-5 months. This is not a permanent treatment..
The Treatment Options:
TOPICAL AGENTS-
Skin Products
Chemical Peels
Hydroquinone
Corticosteroids
Mercury Salts
LASERS-
IPL
Clear and Brilliant
IPL Laser
Only skin types 1, 2, and 3 are eligible for our skin lightening procedures using a laser called IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)The IPL light passes through the skin, treating brown and red areas of the skin, The laser pulls the pigment to the surface of the skin, creating a coffee-ground-like texture. This coffee ground texture flakes off of the skin naturally after 4-5 days. The treatment takes about 30 minutes to complete. We ask patients not to exercise for hours after receiving any laser treatment, Generally we expect patients to need three to five of these treatments, spaced out by a 1 month window. Therefore, the lightening of the skin gradually occurs over 3-5 months. This is not a permanent treatment. Will need 3-5 sessions at least
Clear and Brilliant Laser
Skin type 4 or higher are eligible for skin lightening using Clear and Brilliant. This is not a permanent treatment and would require at least 3-5 sessions
Chemical Peels
Skin resurfacing procedures produce improvements in skin quality, texture, and appearance through harnessing the normal wound-healing processes that follow skin injury. Chemical peels are one of the most common facial skin resurfacing procedures; laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, and microneedling are examples of other common skin resurfacing procedures.
NOT RECOMMENDED OPTIONS
Mercury products and topical corticosteroids are not recommended due to significant skin complications and other toxicities.
Hydroxquinone
4-6 months of this topical product may be helpful as an initial treatment. Koji cream is an option. Can be used alone or in combination with lasers and chemical peels. Inhibits melanin production by blocking the enzyme essential for it, called tyrosinase. It helps to lighten skin discolorations, such as age and dark spots, freckles, and melasma. Main side effect is skin sensitivity in which case we will stop or slow down applications.