The treatment and improvement of pigment spots is the most difficult problem in the field of beauty.
As we all know, there are many types of pigment spots, and their sources are complex. Under different ages and skin conditions, their generation mechanism, location, and development process are relatively complex.
The classification method of early pigment spots is relatively simple. According to the location (depth) of the spots in the skin, they are roughly divided into epidermal spots, dermal spots, and “mixed spots”.
To treat pigment spots, we usually use picosecond or Q-switched ND YAG laser blasting to remove pigments directly, but in fact, we need a more detailed and comprehensive treatment plan to solve all kinds of pigment spots.
1. The basis of pigment treatment.
1.1 Pigment spot and pigment spot treatment.
Common pigment spots are usually caused by some reason, which leads to the increase of local pigmentation in the skin, causing uneven skin color; the purpose of pigment spot treatment is to make the whole (facial) skin color look harmonious and consistent; let the part with increased pigment return to normal.
Compound spots: refers to the situation where chloasma and any other pigment spots occur at the same time; at present, the treatment of compound spots is the most difficult in pigment spot treatment, and the most complicated one is the situation where chloasma and brown-blue nevus are combined.
However, defining the type of pigment spot from the depth of the pigment spot is related to the wavelength of the laser, and has little to do with the treatment method.
In practice, we found that the source of pigment spots may be more closely related to treatment. Some pigment spots are congenital, such as coffee spots, Ota nevus, freckles, freckle-like nevus, etc.; some pigment spots are caused by more acquired factors, and many of these factors are related to sun exposure (ultraviolet rays) and damaged skin barrier.
In essence, these pigment spots are mainly caused by inflammatory problems. This type of pigmentation is also relatively active, such as the most common melasma, sun spots, and brown-blue nevi in the dermis that appear after middle age.
1.2 Accurate and comprehensive diagnosis.
To treat pigment spots clinically, we must first make a comprehensive and correct diagnosis of the customer’s facial spots; we need to understand the customer’s work and living habits and the development pattern of pigmentation spots through interviews with the customer and the use of skin detectors, and correctly determine the cause of the disease, especially to determine whether the customer’s pigment spots are “active” or “stable”. At the same time, we must also consider the customer’s expectations and then develop a complete and feasible treatment plan.
1.3 Develop a reasonable course of treatment.
In the treatment of pigment spots, we must remember:
“Repair first, then whiten; treat active first, then stabilize.”
Never blindly follow the treatment methods proposed by customers, hearsay “family secret recipes”, or be influenced by the urgent mentality of customers and treat them casually without serious consideration.
1.4 Three-step treatment method.
[LITONLASER] has summarized a set of very clear and practical treatment methods during its many years of practice in treating pigmented spots. To sum it up, it is called the “three-step” treatment method. We dedicate it to everyone, let all friends understand it, and hope that they can refer to it in practical work and follow these methods to achieve effective treatment, consolidate curative effect, customer satisfaction, and remarkable results.
2.Introduction to the three-step treatment method for pigment spots.
2.1 Build a wall: (Build a good skin barrier function).
- Protect the sebum membrane: improve water-locking ability, inhibit capillary dilation, and reduce skin water loss.
- Repair the stratum corneum: improve skin barrier function, reduce skin sensitivity, reduce allergies and treat inflammation, and prevent bacterial infection.
2.2 Capacity reduction: (Reduce the ability of pigment cells to produce pigments).
- Block the pigment production pathway: Block the production of pigments from the pigment production pathway. Currently, the most common ones are L-vitamin C and some drugs represented by tranexamic acid.
- Reduce skin inflammatory response: Treatment of chronic inflammation, reduce allergies, and repair liver function.
- Sun protection: Avoid sun exposure and avoid ultraviolet stimulation to activate tyrosinase.
- Avoid photosensitive food/drugs: Certain foods and drugs will stimulate the skin to produce pigments.
2.3 Remove inventory: (Speed up the removal of existing pigments in the epidermis).
- Explode pigments: Use ultra-short pulse lasers such as Q-switched and picosecond lasers to break up melanin particles.
- Pigment deactivation: 1927nm long pulse infrared laser, IPL530/560nm treatment head, selective photothermal effect.
- Accelerate metabolism: radio frequency, weak Q-switched laser, LED red and blue light, etc.
- Physical and chemical treatment: fruit acid, salicylic acid, cryotherapy, CO2 laser.
3. Detailed analysis of the three-step treatment for pigment spots.
3.1 “Building a wall” is very important.
We need collagen products that are hormone-free, free of harmful substances, moisturizing, and wrinkle-removing, forming a protective film on the skin to isolate harmful substances from the outside world.
Using skin care products that increase facial skin moisture, reduce transepidermal water loss, reduce the pH value of the skin, and improve skin oil can effectively improve the skin barrier and facilitate subsequent blasting treatment.
At the same time, in addition to skin care products containing collagen, growth factors, hyaluronic acid and other ingredients that can enhance the skin barrier function, we also need to repair the damaged skin barrier. It is recommended to use IPL to repair the skin barrier. For details, please see: https://www.litonlaser.com/ipl-machine-repairs-skin-barrier/.
If you need to use products to repair the skin barrier, then we need to consider whether the skin care products contain the following aspects:
- Type III collagen is highly active, hydrophilic, has good water retention, and increases the speed of skin regeneration.
- No virus residue, no tissue rejection allergy, and no scar healing.
- No hormones, no harmful substances, and remove endotoxins.
3.2 “Capacity reduction” is the most critical.
“Capacity reduction” is the most difficult step. The methods known so far are nothing more than three magic weapons: L-vitamin C, arbutin, and tranexamic acid (which actually represent different methods of blocking the pigment production pathway). However, the effect is still insufficient, or too slow; if the production capacity cannot be effectively controlled and reduced, then the pigment spots will surely come back. This is also the problem that many hospitals and beauty salons are currently facing, that is, it is difficult to remove spots and it is easy to rebound.
Therefore, what we are considering now is a new method. Can it inhibit the production of pigment cells through a safe and relatively rapid way (inhibiting the expression of a certain gene of pigment)? If there is such a technology, the production of pigment can be inhibited without damaging basal cells and pigment cells. Thus, the problems of illegal addition of hormones, heavy metals and hydroquinone to “remove spots” that were common in the past are abandoned.
At present, we have found a way called SiRNA technology to inhibit pigment production in stages by blocking the two genomes that produce melanin pigments. Recently, we have been communicating this new method, new mechanism of action, and product application with you, so that professionals in the medical beauty field can master a new method of pigment treatment that is safer, more effective, and simpler.
This method may be revolutionary. Some cases can be seen in the figure below. We will then introduce this new technology to you in the form of a public account and a technical product introduction meeting in [LITONLASER]. This new technology, represented by the Nobel Prize in Biomedical Sciences, will be a boon for the treatment of epidermal spots such as chloasma and active pigment spots once it is officially introduced into the field of skin pigment spot treatment. This method makes it possible to carry out patterned treatment of a certain type of pigment spot.
3.3 “Remove inventory” is the most obvious.
In the “three-step” treatment method, the relatively easy step is “removing inventory”. Because the method of removing inventory is very certain.
Whether using Q-switched laser or fruit acid peeling, the existing excess pigment can be “immediately” discharged from the body surface, and it is easier to obtain the intuitive effect of lightening spots.
At present, the most common patterned spot removal (liquid nitrogen mask) uses strong acid corrosion peeling to remove pigment spots. However, this step often causes “barrier damage”, and after the barrier is damaged, the production capacity of skin pigment cells is stimulated and increased; this is also an important reason why pigmentation is easy to occur after fruit acid and Q-switched laser.
Chloasma is a very troublesome problem, and the problem cannot be solved by simply using “removing inventory”. Because chronic inflammation in the skin continues, the pigment production capacity is higher than that of the surrounding skin. Therefore, the claim that simply using fruit acid and Q-switching (including picosecond) can completely treat chloasma is fundamentally untenable. For the treatment of melasma, we still have to focus on the two paths of “building a wall” and “capacity reduction”.
For the treatment of melasma, our latest machine 1927+1550nm dual-wavelength laser has a very good effect. According to clinical data, the combined treatment of 1927nm thulium laser + 1550nm erbium laser can effectively improve melasma.
In addition, IPL machine can also improve melasma. For specific articles, please see: https://www.litonlaser.com/how-does-ipl-intense-pulsed-light-treat-melasma/.
4. Summary of the “Three-step Pigment Spot Treatment Method”.
The three-step pigment spot treatment method is the “basic law” of pigment spot treatment. That is, no matter what treatment is done, the three things of “building a wall, reducing capacity, and removing inventory” must be followed.
- Building a wall: rebuilding the skin barrier and skin health.
- Capacity reduction: reducing the ability of pigment cells to produce pigments.
- Removing inventory: removing the existing excess pigment from the skin.
From the skin level, it involves the three-dimensional structure of the sebum membrane, epidermis, and dermis. It covers multiple factors such as skin barrier, pigmentation generation process, inflammatory response, etc.; therefore, in the treatment process, no matter how we design the treatment plan or course of treatment, every step needs to be carried out according to this basic law.
For the treatment of hereditary pigment spots, there are many innate factors, and the most core part is “removing inventory + reducing capacity”.
1 .Coffee spots.
For example, coffee spots are very representative. They are treated with Q-switched laser at 532nm wavelength. If they recur in the future, they can only be removed by removing the inventory and combining some drug ingredients to inhibit pigment regeneration.
2.Nevus of Ota.
For nevus of Ota, we also follow this methodology. For inflammatory pigment spots, we must pay great attention to controlling inflammation to achieve “capacity reduction” and constantly “build walls” on a daily basis. “Removing inventory” is the third treatment method.
3.Chloasma.
For the treatment of chloasma, the consensus of dermatologists in the medical field is that laser (Q-switched or picosecond laser) is the third-line treatment method, because they are all “removing inventory” and blasting away some of the excess pigment.
However, the biggest feature of chloasma is that it has tissue inflammation. Inflammation leads to the continuous generation of pigments. Removing inventory alone is a typical method of treating the symptoms but not the root cause. Therefore, neither Q-switched nor picosecond laser can cure chloasma. Chloasma also has the problem of damaged barrier. For melasma, you need to always “build a wall”, often “capacity reduction”, and occasionally “remove inventory”.
We must start from the angle of causing the inflammation of melasma. Inhibiting the inflammatory response, or “anti-inflammatory” as the saying goes, is the core method of treating inflammatory melasma.
In the treatment of pigment spots, we must first distinguish the types of spots. The most common ones are actually acquired “inflammatory” spots, such as melasma. To deal with this type of spots, “capacity reduction” is the core of the treatment, which mainly inhibits the inflammatory response in the superficial dermis.
Salicylic acid has a very good anti-inflammatory effect without toxic side effects. Its safety and effectiveness have been proven in theory and practice.
Salicylic acid is most suitable for medical and beauty institutions. In the treatment of melasma, students who have participated in our courses across the country use it as a necessary product ingredient for customers. And “building a wall” to rebuild the skin barrier, using the three major skin repair items (collagen, growth factor, hyaluronic acid) and other methods, daily uninterrupted use to consolidate the effect; every month, customers are regularly treated with picosecond lasers to disintegrate pigments and directly remove existing pigment stocks. Starting from this idea, with a reasonable course of treatment, help customers solve the troubles of pigment spots.
I hope everyone can fully understand and master it in practice, provide customers with comprehensive, safe and effective beauty treatments, and serve your customers with efficacy.
5. Check out more beauty technologies and beauty machines.
As a medical beauty equipment manufacturer with 20 years of experience, LITONLASER can independently develop various mainstream beauty machines. In addition to the mainstream beauty machines displayed on the website, we also have more customized and distributed models waiting for suitable customers to cooperate.
In order to let more people understand and know our machines, I will also regularly update the basic principles and treatment functions of beauty machines on the website, so that major dealers or beauty salon owners and clinic doctors can know more details of the machines.
At the same time, we also have a medical beauty clinical company established in 2016, which is mainly responsible for the collection and collation of beauty clinical data, and then conducts courses on mainstream photoelectric beauty technology. Now we have created an original textbook: “Photoelectric Beauty Core Technology Textbook“, which is reported once a month. The photoelectric beauty core technology series training course mainly provides beauty machine training and teaching for major beauty salon operators and clinic doctors.
If you are interested in beauty machines or are curious about beauty technology training, please feel free to contact us.
