How to Lighten the Skin with Hydroquinone, AHA and Laser

No matter how much we emphasize the value of inner beauty, we always make first impressions according to what our eyes can see. And often, it’s the face pigmentation that other people see instead of our expressive eyes or full lips.

With so many safe and effective treatments today, you don’t have to live with these blemishes anymore. Make up can only do so much to cover these superficial flaws, and they only provide temporary solution.

How Does Hydroquinone Work?

Hydroquinone has long been used as a standard hyperpigmentation treatment. It does this by blocking the activity of a melanin-making enzyme called tyrosinase. This means that hydroquinone combats hyperpigmentation at the deeper layer of the skin (cellular level), making it one of the most effective treatment for hyperpigmentation today.

Dr. Sylvia’s Skin Lightener 3 is formulated with 4% hydroquinone that is effective for age spot, liver spot and freckles removal. It’s strong enough to control excess melanin production (12% formulation stops melanin production altogether), yet gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin. The Skin Lightener 3 is applied after cleansing and toning, and can be used individually or as part of Advanced Clear Skin Program developed by a renowned Singapore dermatologist in Scotts Road, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez.

Exfoliating with AHAs

The top layer of the skin is prone to congestion as dead skin cells accumulate in the surface. These dead skin cells also prevent maximum absorption of topical applications because they form a barrier between the skin and the external environment. Dead skin cells also give the skin a dull appearance because it prevents light from being reflected off the surface of the skin.

The acids in AHA make it an effective product for pigmentation. Alpha-hydroxy acids are a group of natural acids that break down this keratinized (fibrous outside layer) surface. AHAs come in the form of glycolic acid (found in sugarcane), citric acid, malic acid (found in apples), lactic acid, and tartaric acid (found in grapes). Apart from their exfoliating properties, they are also used to treat acne, diminish the appearance of scars, reduce pigmentation in photoaged skin, and firm and smooth the skin.

Dr. Sylvia’s Exfoliator Forte 4 contains 14% AHA buffered to 10%. Its active ingredient is glycolic acid gentle enough for daily use on normal skin. Exfoliator Forte 4 can be used individually, or after the Skin Lightener 3 for maximum effect.

Targeting Pigmentation at the Root

Depigmenting agents that work in the cellular level ensure that skin lightening happens inside and out. This is what Dr. Sylvia’s Balancer 5 does: It’s formulated to work in the deeper layers of the skin with its 4% hydroquinone concentration. Its main active ingredient is ascorbic acid (vitamin C) renowned for its anti-aging and depigmenting properties.

Because it is applied after the Exfoliator Forte 4, the Balancer 5 is optimally absorbed by the skin so hydroquinone can attack the root cause of age spots, freckles and liver spots and other areas of excess melanin production.

Laser for Pigmentation

Another way to draw out brown spots and freckles to the surface of the skin and to combat sun damage is to use Limelight. Limelight otherwise known as Photofacial is a type of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) used in laser clinic in Scotts Road, Singapore, that employs diffuse light energy (as opposed to the focused beam of laser) programmable to different wavelengths.

An added benefit to using Limelight is that other skin problems can be addressed at the same time. Skin redness, tiny veins and low contrast brown spots respond very well to Limelight. While it takes 3-5 days for the scabs to form and fall off, Limelight is ideal for those who wish to address many skin conditions with a single treatment plan.