In Singapore, many aesthetic clinics offer the reliable Pico Laser treatment for skin brightening and for good reason – it’s been repeatedly clinically proven[1] to show promising results for stubborn conditions like acne scars, and comes with far less downtime and side effects compared to earlier Q-switched lasers.
Pico Laser is indeed an effective laser treatment, but it is also well compatible with various other treatment options to produce even better results.
In fact, a good aesthetic doctor will recommend a combination of pico laser with other therapies to reach different depths of your skin. Since Christmas is around the corner, allow me to share more on a skin brightening protocol my colleague Dr Claudine Pang and I formulated.
If you’re looking for a low-effort, instant glow-up, this is it.
Skin brightening, skin lightening, skin whitening – these are some common terms sometimes used interchangeably but refer to quite different procedures. Let’s break down each term:
| What is it | |
| Skin Brightening | Skin brightening is all about rejuvenation – think glowy skin often seen in Korean celebs. Through rejuvenation, we are able to return radiance and glow to the skin. Although not its primary purpose, the process of skin brightening may also reduce the appearance of dark spots. |
| Skin Lightening | Skin lightening is one step further than skin brightening. While skin brightening is unable to completely remove the visible appearance of dark spots, skin lightening can. In fact, if used regularly, some skin lightening products can alter the shade of your complexion |
| Skin Whitening | Skin whitening goes beyond brightening and lightening. It is about achieving a drastically whiter shade, lighter than your natural skin tone. |
The ingredients used in skin whitening products are often potent[2] and prolonged use of these products has been associated with poisoning, skin and kidney damage, and liver malfunction.
Aesthetic treatments should improve your complexion and not cause irreversible damage. Between skin brightening and skin lightening, always initiate an in-depth discussion with your doctor on the results you hope to achieve.
When we think of skin brightening, there is no one ‘best’ treatment. In fact, there are several, equally good options that can brighten your skin that can be used independently.
Pico Laser is a non-invasive laser treatment used to treat most common skin imperfections including sun damage and acne scarring. It is able to achieve visible, lasting results and has minimal downtime.
The Pico laser sends ultra-short pulses of energy – without heat – to targeted areas. The technology allows for particularly precise treatment of pigmented lesions in the quickest and most effective manner. The laser also triggers the production of elastin, a protein that gives you softer and fuller complexion.
Pico Laser can be applied to the face and body. Apart from some temporary redness and swelling, it is a generally painless process.
Conditions Pico Laser can treat:
Yellow Laser is another non-invasive treatment that is both gentle and effective, especially for mild to moderate acne. You can expect to see clearer skin within 6 treatments at 2 to 3 weeks intervals.
The Yellow laser eradicates active acne by shrinking the sebaceous gland to reduce production of sebum. At the same time, it encourages collagen growth and reduces the appearance of small red blood vessels, giving you firmer and clearer skin.
Apart from some redness, which should subside within an hour, Yellow Laser treatment is generally painless. You should also avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks before the treatment and abstain from using any products that may irritate the skin at least three days prior to the treatment.
Conditions Yellow Laser can treat:
Each session comes with an optional add on LED light therapy to improve the healing process.
LED Light Therapy has been around for decades and is known for its healing properties.
Unlike other types of light therapy that may contain harmful ultraviolet rays, LED Light Therapy does not and is safe for regular use. You are recommended to go for weekly sessions for a period of 10 weeks then follow-up once every few months to maintain the results.
LED Light Therapy involves using varying wavelengths of light, otherwise referred to as red and blue light, to address age-related skin conditions and acne.
Red light: Stimulates collagen proteins for smoother and fuller skin and is primarily used for anti-ageing treatment. Red light can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Blue light: Targets the sebaceous glands, making them less active. In turn, you may see less oily skin and fewer acne breakouts. Besides preventing acne, blue light also treats active acne by destroying acne bacteria beneath the skin.
The two lights are often used together to treat acne, reduce scarring, and promote anti-inflammatory effects.
LED Light Therapy is a generally safe option and has no downtime. It is non-invasive and suitable for darker skin tones or sensitive skin. However, you may want to consider avoiding this option if you have an active rash or currently on Accutane for acne.
These three aforementioned treatments complement one another to give you even better results than if you were to opt for a single treatment only.
Why?
Let’s take pigmentation for example.
Laser treatment is generally used to break down pigmentation in the skin into smaller fragments that will be cleared out by the skin’s immune system. Combining lasers of different wavelengths allows us to target the pigmentation at various skin levels. For example:
Pico Laser is most suited to target dermal and epidermal pigmentation
Yellow Laser is particularly useful for reducing underlying redness and inflammation
LED Light Therapy is then applied to speed up the healing process and rejuvenate the skin by triggering collagen production.
While it might seem like a mouthful to undergo three treatments, combining different treatments that each serve different purposes is the most holistic and effective way for long term skin brightening results.
While aesthetic treatments can help achieve brighter skin, lifestyle changes go a long way in complementing results.
I have a separate article on the best anti-ageing tips; here’s a TL;DR:
Opt for high-fibre and high-protein foods rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. A daily probiotic supplement is also great for promoting good skin from within.
In addition, stay active. Swap the cigarettes out for a few cardio workouts weekly. Staying active and keeping fit is not only beneficial for your skin – it also helps with maintaining your overall well-being.
When it comes to skin brightening, the delicate combination of Pico Laser, Yellow Laser, and LED Light Therapy can help you achieve an instant and long lasting glow. As opposed to relying on a single treatment that targets a specific layer, these treatments used together not only tackles dull skin at several layers but also smoothens the skin on the outermost layer.
If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a message!
Dr. Chloe Ho is Asia Wellness’ resident doctor. Her strong background in dermatology has equipped her to treat patients with varying needs. Dr. Ho is trusted among her patients to treat an array of ageing skin concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark eye circles and acne scars.
Her clinical experience varies locally and internationally, from the Singapore National Skin Centre to Harvard Medical School in Boston.
The desire for perfect skin, a small face, bright eyes, and a slim body is not just an Asian passion, but a worldwide phenom. Many patients possess the same desire to have the flawless youthfulness of Korean celebrities like Kim Tae Hee, Song Hye Kyo and Son Ye Jin.
Anti ageing doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s a lot easier than you think to look like a younger, better version of yourself.
But first, you have to nail the basics: Create a healthy regime that does not accelerate the ageing process, and then match that foundation with anti-ageing treatments that are correct for YOU.
Whether you’re in your 20s looking to delay ageing symptoms (“prejuvenation”) or in your 40s trying to regain your youth, here are some anti-ageing non-negotiables.
From a young age, Koreans are taught to be incredibly savvy about their skin, especially whilst in the sun. Beyond applying sunscreen, many Koreans take great care to stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
Taking care to protect yourself from the sun helps prevent UV damage, which will inevitably contribute to ageing skin. This approach promotes a youthful appearance in the future with fewer fine lines and pigmentation (eg. melasma), all while protecting the skin from the daily oxidative damages of pollution and the weather.
Obviously, it’s impossible to avoid the sun in Singapore, so here are some good practices to adopt:
Even on cloudy days, over 90%1 of the sun's UV radiation reaches your skin. So, don’t scrimp on sunscreen!
In order to meet the high standards of K-beauty, Koreans are constantly looking for new ways of improving their skin-care routine. The famous 10-step skincare routine is a good example, and it goes like this:
While the process might seem intimidating (and expensive), committing to the art of layering can be a big game-changer in your skincare routine - Never overlook the importance of steps like exfoliating and toning when it comes to achieving healthy, youthful skin.
And while it is not strictly necessary for you to adhere to these 10 steps, the key here is to give your skin every bit of love and nourishment that it needs, consistently.
Do you look unexplainably visibly older than peers your age, feel unusually tired or experiencing more hair loss than usual? You might want to get your hormone levels checked.
Hormones play a huge role in the way our body functions and age. An anti-ageing screening can investigate if:
Ultimately, the goal of an anti-ageing screening is to help us target problem areas and determine preventive tactics to slow down the ageing process.
While we can't stop the ageing process, applying the right products and seeking the right treatments as early as in our 20s can help reduce the appearance of stubborn fine lines, wrinkles and age spots down the road.
For some individuals, this might mean inducing retinoids in their daily skincare routine, or opting for aesthetic treatments like injectables to slow down ageing.
As ageing occurs due to a lack of collagen, for a start, Skinboosters are a safe and excellent bet. Skinboosters work by:
Besides moisture loss and dehydrated skin, the appearance of pigmentation and scars can affect skin health and age. The PicoLo laser is fantastic for removing pigmented lesions.
You’ll need to choose the right clinic and doctor for your anti-ageing mission. Firstly, make sure that your chosen aesthetician has wide and proven expertise when it comes to popular anti-ageing treatments, right from injectables to lasers. This will ensure that you’ll have access to the best solutions available for your skin.
Also, because your anti-ageing journey is one for the long haul, your doctor needs to make you feel comfortable, understand your pain points, and offer you tailored treatment plans that suit your unique circumstances. As such, you might want to look online for credible reviews, and ask for recommendations from your loved ones.
It is never too early to stave off the effects of ageing.
It is never too early to stave off the effects of ageing.
Remember: The earlier you start, the better.
But start on the right foot and with the right doctor, or you might achieve the opposite just by working with the wrong one.
Most of us completely skip over our necks when taking care of our skin. This is unfortunate, as the neck is one of the most common (and evident) areas that will require anti-ageing treatments later on in life.
As we age, our skin inevitably loses its elasticity and collagen. After years of talking, laughing, and smiling, our skin around our eyes will find it increasingly harder to spring back. Those wrinkles, creases, and fine lines that we dread so much will set in permanently, causing us to look much older than we actually are.
This is why using eye cream and moisturising your neck should be two fundamental aspects of your beauty regime. Additionally, your doctor should be able to provide you with in-office jawline and neck lifting services, such as Morpheus 8, a skin lifting procedure especially helpful for tender areas like the eyes and neck.
Other ways of maintaining eye and neck skin health are:
Unlike salon-grade facials and extractions which stand a fair chance of worsening your skin, Medi-facials such as hydrafacials are performed under the supervision of a certified dermatologist, and involve the use of ingredients that are medically proven to benefit skin in the long run.
Additionally, medi-facials:
Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact me and we can set up a stress-free, no-obligation consultation to understand your skin concerns better.
Dr. Chloe Ho is Asia Wellness’ resident doctor. Her strong background in dermatology has equipped her to treat patients across all ages, including children. Dr. Ho is trusted among her patients to treat an array of ageing skin concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark eye circles and acne scars.
Her clinical experience varies locally and internationally, from the Singapore National Skin Centre to Harvard Medical School in Boston.
