People who live in highly polluted areas were more likely to have dark patches, it said.

This recent study directly links air pollution to the appearance of pigmentation and signs of ageing on the skin.

Pollution from traffic fumes is known as particulate matter (PM), and is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. The minuscule particles can dissolve in oil, meaning they can penetrate through the outer layers of the skin.

And once they are deep in the skin’s tissue, they contribute to oxidative stress, leading to inflammation – a cause of hyperpigmentation disorder.

The study also revealed that enquiries about treatment for pigmentation have shot up by 300 percent in five years in UK and in Northern Ireland.

Fortunately though, we now live in an era of high technology. Dermatologists have discovered that new laser technology can resolve the excess pigmentation and minimise downtime. The latest development to be introduced is picosecond lasers. These devices emit super-fast pulse widths of less than one nanosecond and as such they produce treatments considerably less painful and also with less risk of post-inflammatory hypo – or hyperpigmentation.

Shortening the pulse duration to a picosecond allows for more specific pigment targeting so the picosecond lasers might be a very good option for treating some pigmented lesions that couldn’t be treated well before – melasma for example.

The biggest drawback to treating melasma is time: the procedure requires multiple treatment sessions. But picosecond technology is designed to reduce the number of treatment sessions. In the clinical trial, the picosecond lasers more rapidly cleared a pigmented lesion than previous lasers. Fewer treatments were required while treatment side effects were few and minor.

The picosecond lasers have now been cleared by the US FDA but more evidence is needed before Thai dermatologists can use the new technology.

Finally, greater understanding of the mechanisms that cause dark spots may help to channel future research into effective remedies for this condition. In general, however, adequately protecting ourselves against the risks of air pollution and the sun’s UV radiation damage remains the first defence in staving off and dealing with this ever-challenging skin disorder.

THANISORN THAMLIKITKUL MD is a member of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery and |certified in dermatological laser |surgery. Send your questions |for her to info@romrawin.com