Hyperpigmentation Removal & Skin Bleaching FAQ| From Yes They're Fake!

1. What is Hyperpigmentation Removal?
2. When can Hyperpigmentation Removal be performed?
3. What does a typical Hyperpigmentation Removal consultation entail?
4. How is Hyperpigmentation Removal performed?
5. What should I expect post-treatment?
6. Does Hyperpigmentation Removal hurt?
7. When will I be able to see the results?
8. What are the risks of Hyperpigmentation Removal?
9. What is Arnica montana and/or Bromelain, I have heard that these homeopathics reduce swelling and bruising? Which is the best kind to take?
10. Are the results permanent?

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1. What is Hyperpigmentation Removal?

Hyperpigmentation Removal treatments are used to eradicate darkened areas of the skin which may result from hormones, sun damage, injuries, skin-type characteristics, medications and more. Hyperpigmentation lesions can be anything from melasma/cholasma often attributed to pregnancy or hormonal imbalances to freckles.

The treatments vary from melanin blocking agents combined with topical medications such as Retin A which causes the body to exfoliate the skin to rid the body of the hyperpigmentation while prohibiting new melanin production to laser treatments. The treatments wholly depend upon your needs and skin type. Some treatments can actually cause hypo- (lack of) and hyperpigmentation problems in some individuals. Care must be taken in proper diagnosis for a successful result.

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2. When can Hyperpigmentation Removal be performed?

There really is no set age although some treatments may not be appropriate for children. However, there are topical anesthetics available for children with marked hyperpigmentations across the face, neck, arms and hands whose parents are seeking removal.

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3. What does a typical Hyperpigmentation Removal consultation entail?

After checking a few surgeons' backgrounds and credentials, you will make an appointment for a consultation. You will meet with these surgeons/dermatologists/aestheticians (depending) and discuss your goals and you will disclose all information regarding your health; if you smoke, what medications or vitamins you presently take, etc. -- this is very important. You really should consider smoking cessation as this can significantly decrease healing for more invasive procedures. Visit the Medication & Supplements List for more information.

You will discuss your complaints and concerns and discuss the various techniques, the amount that can be corrected, etc. He or she should discuss the risks associated with hyperpigmentation removal procedures with you, as well.

If you would like more information on Consultations or a list of questions to ask your surgeon please visit the Consultation Help Page. If you should choose to book or reserve a surgery date you will usually give a deposit to hold your surgery date. Most times if you cancel a few days beforehand, this amount is non-refundable. After paying your deposit and scheduling a surgery date, you will also schedule a pre-operative appointment.

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4. How is a Hyperpigmentation Removal treatment performed?

Depending upon the procedure the pigmentation irregularity may be removed either all at once or gradually by either, manual or chemical-induced exfoliation, laser or Intense pulsed Light treatment or other means. Please discuss this with your physician and see the appropriate pages in this website for procedure-specific details. Please see our Hyperpigmentation Removal Section for more information.

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5. What should I expect post-treatment?

The recovery period varies significantly and is highly dependent upon the treatment chosen. Please see the appropriate procedure section for detailed information regarding its recovery period as well as discuss this with your physician. Please see our Hyperpigmentation Removal Section for more information.

Some patients experience a lull or down period where they become depressed or feel unattractive. This is very normal. Please print out our Emotional Preparation Sheet so that you will be able to remind yourself that you will get through your low period.

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6. Does Hyperpigmentation Removal hurt?

This also depends upon the treatment chosen, some treatments have been reported as having discomfort during or after treatment, some quite painful -- although the possible accompanying pain of all treatments should be alleviated by prescribed pain relievers. Some treatments such as hydroquinone usually involves no pain whatsoever.

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7. When will I be able to see the results?

Results can be seen anywhere from immediately to several months post-treatment (or post series of treatments).

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8. What are the risks of Hyperpigmentation Removal?

The risks, complications & contraindications vary significantly and is highly dependent upon the treatment chosen.

For Chemical Peels:
If you have oral herpes. You MUST gain the approval of your primary physician and seek a prescription for oral acyclovir - one brand name is Zovirax®. This is very important! Zovirax® can significantly decrease your chances of a break out. If you have a break out during your healing period, it can spread to your entire face and result in severe and permanent scarring.

Be careful of crusting or excessive weeping. In AHA peels you may think this is normal but there is a borderline appearances that you must watch out for. Ask your skin care specialist for specifics regarding what to look for. If for a typical AHA peel, you should feel and look normal within 3 to 4 days. For deeper peels your downtime may take weeks and then months for complete recovery.

If you experience painful areas of the face, contact your surgeon or skin care specialist immediately - ESPECIALLY if you are prone to cold sores. Blisters that form will need to be reported immediately!

Hyperpigmentations (excessive coloration) and hypopigmentation (lack of pigmentation) can be problematic of misdiagnosed skin types, failure to reveal any skin problems or ethnicity and improper post-peel care. Infection is uncommon but possible so keep an eye out for redness and pain.

Scarring is a problem if the above is experienced so please adhere to your post-peel instructions to decrease your chances of long term or permanent, visible signs of damage.

For Laser Resurfacing:
There are minor risks and complications involved with Laser Skin Resurfacing which include but are not limited to prolonged hyperpigmentation. In 5 to 10% of patients, darkening or brown discoloration will occur requiring bleaching creams. This will generally resolved the discoloration in 2 to 3 months. Prolonged redness occurs in 3 to 5% of patients and this delays the fading to normal color by about 2 months.

There may be more intense burns associated with laser resurfacing. Take care in choosing your surgeon wisely. A specialist should be sought as the surgeon who is not experienced with the technique and light touch could very well burn you rather deeply, making matters worse.

If you have oral herpes. You MUST gain the approval of your primary physician and seek a prescription for oral acyclovir -- one brand name is Zovirax®. This is very important! Zovirax® can significantly decrease your chances of a break out. If you have a break out during your healing period, it can spread to your entire face and result in severe and permanent scarring.

Patients with olive skin, brown skin or black skin (ethnic skin tones) may be at risk for pigmentation changes (hypo-/hyper- pigmentation) no matter what type of resurfacing method is recommended. Your surgeon should evaluate your skin characteristics and family history before making any diagnosis for treatment.

*Warning: Patients having used Accutane in the past 12-18 months, those who are prone to abnormal scarring or Keloids and those with frequent skin eruptions such as psoriasis, eczema and herpes may not be good candidates for Laser Skin Resurfacing. Consult with your doctor for more on this subject.

For Intense Pulsed Light:
Although rare, blistering or slight bleeding is possible as is hypo- or hyper-pigmentation (lightened or darkened areas of skin). If pigmentation problems occur, it may be anywhere from 3 to 12 months before normal skin tome returns. This is especially so with hypo-pigmentation (lack of color). Be aware that some patients may experience permanent skin pigmentation changes. Scarring is possible although it too is a rare occurrence.

For Microdermabrasion:
There are not many risks associated with microdermabrasion if you are a healthy adult, but enough to mention for those of you with skin or medical conditions. If the medical grade machines are used at high power it carries potential risks of hyperpigmentation, perforation, bleeding, and infection. Infection can also be a risk if the machines are not sterile. Many components of these machines are meant to be sterilized, autoclaved or changed out with a new disposable piece. Any and all pieces that come into contact with your skin should be able to be sterilized or changed out. Furthermore, it was brought up by a doctor in an article on Medscape, that there could be possible harm from the inhalation of the aluminum in the Al2O3 crystals, also known as Corundum.

*Also, you should NOT have a microdermabrasion treatment on the affected area if you have the following:

Undiagnosed lesions
Recent herpes outbreaks
Warts
Active, weeping acne (stages 3-4)
Active Rosacea
Unstable diabetes
Auto-immune system disorders
Some patients hyperpigment post-op. Lower pressures are used on follow-up treatments for these individuals.

*source for the immediate above, Medscape Medical Journal (1999)

For Melanin Blocking-type Formulations:
Risks can be irritation, permanent hypopigmentation, increased hyperpigmentations if you do not use sun block during this time. Ochronosis (black speckles or discolorations) if high strengths are used for long periods of time - especially in patients with ethnic backgrounds, or naturally darker skin.

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9. What is Arnica montana or Bromelain, I have heard that these homeopathics reduce swelling and bruising? Which is the best kind to take? This can be used for invasive procedures such as dermabrasion, deep chemical peels and laser resurfacing.

also known as: Mountain Tobacco, Mountain Arnica, Common Arnica, Leopard's Bane and Sneezewort
plant family: Asteraceae
type: Herbaceous perennial
parts used: Roots and flowers
description: Arnica montana or Leopard's Bane is a perennial herb, growing close to the ground. The leaves form a flat rosette, from the center of which rises a flower stalk, 1 to 2 feet high, bearing orange-yellow flowers. The rhizome is dark brown, cylindrical, usually curved, and bears brittle wiry rootlets on the under surface.
habitat: Indigenous to Central Europe, in woods and mountain pastures, although it has been found in England and Southern Scotland.
warning: This herb should NEVER be taken in raw form. This plant, like many medicinal plants if ingested, can cause intestinal bleeding, abdominal cramping and sickness. Homeopathy is the medicinal use of tinctures and suspensions using herbs and other plants and should never be consumed without proper preparation. Only respectable homeopathic remedies and tinctures should be consumed.

from the plant of the: Pineapple
also known as: Ananas, Nanas, Pina
plant family: Bromeliaceae
type: herbaceous perennial
parts used: mostly in the stems of pineapples, but some fruit is used as well.
description: 2 1/2 to 5 ft. high with a spread of 3 to 4 ft. The plant is like a thick stem with a rosette of wide, waxy leaves. These pointed green, red, and white/off white striped leaves are approximately 18 - 70 inches long and graced with a spiny needle-like tip. The plant produces a sweet to tangy and sometimes sour fruit that is yellow to white in color. The unpeeled fruit is brownish with a hard, spiky covering and a large green sprout from it crown. The fruit is shaped like a coffee can with rounded ends and is about 10-12 inches long usually when considered prime and may even weigh up to 10 lbs.

habitat: Indigenous to southern Brazil and Paraguay, The fruit is now grown all over in green houses and in the fields of Spain, Guatemala, Hawaii and more. The pineapple is a tropical plant and thrives in hot, humid places. Although it can survive cold snaps, it is not recommended for the more northern areas if intended to be grown outdoors.

Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory formula containing the proteolytic enzyme from the stems of pineapples. Proteolytic enzymes are capable of dissolving proteins. It is most often used after sports injuries, to relive edema and after surgical procedures to help with swelling.

ALWAYS ASK YOUR SURGEON FIRST BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION.

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10. Are the results permanent?

This largely depends upon your post-treatment habits. Repeat sun exposure or medication use can continue to cause hyperpigmentations. Hormonal imbalances can continue to cause hyperpigmentations. Some patients may need to continue hydroquinone or Kojic acid use to prohibit hyperpigmentation reformation after their initial removal process.

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