Pigmentation Disorders

Hyperpigmentation often looks like patches on the skin which are darker than the surrounding areas. These dark patches are formed when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin colour, forms deposits in the skin. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by inflammation due to acne, trauma, chemicals, skin products, or as a reaction to a procedure. Sunspots, also known as “age spots,” as similarly formed from collections of melanin that form in areas where sun exposure has been prolonged and repeated. This means that the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and back of the hands often show age spots first.

Those with darker skin tones are usually more prone to hyperpigmentation and fair-skinned people who burn, and freckle easily often develop lasting brown spots over time.

The good news is pigment deposits typically reside in the surface layer of the skin and can be gently removed to reveal fresh, even-toned skin underneath.

Melasma, also known medically as chloasma faciei, is a form of hyperpigmentation characterized by the development of brown or gray-brown patches on the skin. Although melasma may appear anywhere on the body, it frequently develops on the face, particularly the forehead, cheeks, chin, and bridge of the nose, which are often exposed to the sun. While sun exposure is believed to exasperate this condition, melasma is often a result of hormonal changes and women are more susceptible to this hormonal pigmentation than men. As a result, it has been nicknamed “the mask of pregnancy.” However, women who are taking birth control pills or undergoing hormone replacement therapy are also prone to melasma. Understandably, this condition can result in embarrassment and may even impact an individual’s self-esteem. Luckily, Picoway Laser is considered to be one of the most effective and safest Melasma treatment options available today.

Nordlys IPL

Nordlys IPL is one of our favourite non-invasive, non-ablative laser devices that uses a combination of infrared laser and fractional technology. Nordlys delivers a sub-millisecond pulse for treating small and large areas of the face or body. This innovative waveband technology can eliminate potentially harmful wavelengths and allow only beneficial ones to contact the skin, which is why it has improved comfort and safety associated with all IPL technology.

When IPL is used to treated Hyperpigmentation, the targeted areas momentarily absorb the light and heat up. This heat works by breaking down the pigmentation into tiny particles which then either rise to the skin’s surface as scabs, exfoliated away naturally within 1-2 weeks, or are filtered away through the lymphatic system in the body. The result of this process is a more even complexion with a reduction in Hyperpigmentation and brown spots on the skin’s surface.

Fotona Er:YAG Brown Spot Removal 

The Fotona Dynamis system is a versatile, multi-purpose platform with a wide range of applications. The Nd:YAG wavelength reaches deeper layers of the skin, and the Er:YAG wavelength brushes away surface imperfections effortlessly. Years of environmental damage and dull-looking skin can be erased without discomfort or a lengthy recovery period. 

Gentlemax Pro Laser Skin Lightening 

Our multi-wavelength GentleMax Pro® laser is a fast, high-performance laser with two modes that allow us to safely treat darker and lighter shades of skin. 

Its special cooling system also keeps your skin cool before the laser passes, and immediately cools it after. This helps to make treatment comfortable and ensures ideal vein visibility for precise treatment.

PicoWay Laser

PicoWay is the first picosecond technology for pigmented lesion removal and it’s still one of the leaders in this field because of its unique ability to break down melanin pigments into fine dust, without damaging your skin. The pigment debris is naturally cleared by your body after Pico laser targeting. Rapid pulses penetrate 1 to 4 millimetres for precise photothermolysis, and photoacoustic shockwaves obliterate melanocytes. PicoWay is the only laser that can safely and effectively treat melasma. Unlike other lasers and IPLs, Pico Laser does not use heat and, therefore, there is no risk to exacerbate the condition. 

At Philosophy of Beauty, we use the newest tip called Fusion tip, which is known to produce fastest results and require least number of sessions. 

Philosophy of Beauty is proud to offer the following products which can be used to effectively treat Hyperpigmentation, with or without hydroquinone, restoring your bright, even skin, and your confidence.

• Brightalive: Brightalive uses a multi-vectored skin pigment management approach to reduce the appearance of brown spots, even skin tone, and inhibit melanin production.
• Retinol Skin Brightener: This product has been Bioengineered to target all three stages of skin discoloration through a patented, bio-vectored, microsphere delivery system. It is formulated to even skin colour and tone and is recommended as the first course of action when treating Hyperpigmentation.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C serum provides a potent dose of pure vitamin C that brightens and re-textures the skin.
• Pigment Control: This product is a highly effective solution to lighten Hyperpigmentation which contains 2% hydroquinone. It corrects Hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production to even skin colour and tone.
• Pigment Control & Blending: This product is a 2% hydroquinone bleaching cream that penetrates the skin and effectively delivers the active ingredients of the system to the melanocytes. It alters the essential subcellular metabolic processes that cause cytolysis and inhibit melanin production. As a result, it reduces the appearance of chloasma, Melasma, and freckles.
• ZO GSR System –normal to oily skin: The Getting Skin Ready system (GSR) includes three products: a cleanser, scrub, and oil control pads.
• ZO non-hydroquinone Hyperpigmentation system: This is for the treatment of Hyperpigmentation without the use of hydroquinone. It is ideal for the treatment of skin conditions either when hydroquinone treatment is completed or contraindicated, or as a healthy maintenance system.

ZO multi-therapy hydroquinone system: This system contains a number of products used to treat moderate to severe Hyperpigmentation, especially Melasma. It is recommended as a starting point for treating Melasma.

This specialized peel is designed for the previous sun-worshippers in our client family who are contending with extensive unwanted pigment and other visible damage to the skin.

The Controlled Depth Peel and Prep is a highly advanced program recommended for scarring, severe skin laxity, texture damage, and advanced melasma or hyperpigmentation. This in-office peel utilizes trichloroacetic acid (TCA) safely buffered for various skin types so we can tailor your peel just for your complexion needs.  

The ZO Controlled Depth Peel is a powerful, long-lasting healthy skin pigment restoration treatment that can benefit the following:

• Brown spots
• Age spots
• Uneven pigmentation

• Melasma
• Sun-damaged skin
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Skin tightening 

After your ZO peel, when redness has subsided, you can expect new skin to show a dramatic reduction of hyperpigmentation, melasma, sun damage, and brown spots along with various signs of ageing. The new skin is firmer with improved skin tone and radiance.