DEBUNKED!! The Top 6 Pigmentation Myths | Dr Sam Bunting

After acne, pigmentation is the most popular topic on this channel and there’s so much that can be done to tackle it effectively - that’s the good news. BUT it’s also easy to fall prey to bad information and above all else I want to help you become the master of your own skin, and approach problems with the right solutions.
So today let's bust some of those major pigmentation myths!!!
As always, thank you so much for watching and for all your support!
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[@SueRosalie]

Yes Australian dermatologists here only recommend suncreen indoors if you are sitting by a window all day for work. I put UV film on all my windows to cut down on heat and to protect my furnishings from fading.

[@SirSerents]

Thanks so much for this video! It's really helpful. As I commented in a different video, I have just started my anti pigmentation journey, and this video comes in the perfect timing. Really appreciate 😀

[@DrSamBunting]

Amazing - hope all goes well.

[@susanmcf1]

I recently started hydroquinone and am seeing improvement to my pigmentation after 6 weeks.

[@DrSamBunting]

Good work!

[@susanmcf1]

@@DrSamBunting ❤

[@lalablotz7348]

Yes! I always learn something from your videos. Thank you ❤

[@felixw1353]

How helpful ❤ I’m so glad you don’t have to exfoliate more often for getting rid of pigmentation 🙏🏻 and oohhhh I love Hector in your background 🥰xx

[@DrSamBunting]

I know - he's so nonchalant!

[@AmyTong-yv3gc]

Hi Dr Sam, I know you do not recommend using laser to treat melasma but I am just wondering if there is any conflicts in using your Nightly and Brightly serums during course of laser treatment. Of course, I wear my SPF50/++++ sunscreen religiously :)

[@ramonazh8248]

Hi doctor, does wearing primer over sunscreen mess up the sunscreen under ? Thanks ❤

[@kathyraidt16]

I'll make an appointment with my doctor. Thanks.

[@DrSamBunting]

Good plan.

[@rekhapuri1271]

I love all your videos and they work for me x

[@DrSamBunting]

Thank-you Rekha!

[@helenaskew1888]

Thank you for your informative video Dr. Sam . Does cosmelan 2 works for melasma?

[@T4ST4TUR3NT0CHT3R]

Hello Dr. Sam, I have a dehydrated oily skin (seborrhoea sicca). The top layer is oily, under that layer my skin is very dehydrated (it has a keratinization disorder as well). I sadly destroyed my skin barrier looking for products that can help me… I‘m looking for products that can restore the skin barrier and give the badly needed moisture my skin is missing. Can you do a video about this and/or suggest products? That would be awesome as I trust your advice ☺ (I hope I‘ve translated everything correctly, I‘m not a native speaker).

[@williamscriven]

Good presentation.

[@leneskov5184]

Does Transexamic acid works topically? Dr David Lim recently made a video saying that he was wrong in recommending Tranexamic acid as he had found out that it does not work topically.

[@DrSamBunting]

Agree - I don't - the oral route is the only route I have faith in, hence I don't recommend topical TXA on any of my platforms.

[@beeg1549]

thank you for the informative video! although wouldn't something like azelaic acid also count as an exfoliator? since it helps with pigmentation but also exfoliates, can it be used everyday? x

[@DrSamBunting]

It doesn't work in the same way as exfoliants (which break down intercellular bonds) - its mode of action is similar to retinoids in that it influences cell turnover and keratinocyte differentiation.

[@beeg1549]

@@DrSamBunting thank you so much for clarifying! 😊

[@juliannehardman4382]

Dr Sam, I know this may be a random question, but could you please recommend an easy to apply and effective sunscreen for balding men? Such a difficult topic but so important and I think often ignored due to ignorance/consistency of sunscreens/embarrassment etc. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, much appreciated Xx

[@DrSamBunting]

It's a tricky one - texture is so important. Have you tried a gel formula? Tends to be less of a mess where it comes into contact with hair. Heliocare Gel is good - we recommend a lot of this in the clinic.

[@LauraLVTGW]

I have melasma due to PCOS and a long history of sun damage. I only started daily sunscreen and fighting my hyperpigmentation about 2 years ago. Just had a total hysterectomy, waiting to see if my melasma gets better or worse with the unbelievable hormone fluctuations!!!

[@heatherdean7793]

A hysterectomy does not remove ovaries. That is an oophorectomy. If you have ovaries you are making hormones. A total hysterectomy means the uterus and cervix have been removed. Neither make hormones, but it will stop periods which is maybe what you wanted. Good luck.

[@Autumn567]

Would love to see more of cute kitty 😻

[@lucianamaiorana1693]

Debunk rocks!

[@DrSamBunting]

Ha! :)

[@SueRosalie]

great channel thank you

[@jessicawarn2010]

You got me with fiddling 😑😑 your hair is looking great btw

[@DrSamBunting]

Gotta watch that! Thank-you:)

[@louiserichley6511]

Thanks Dr Sam. I’ve just been told I have a keratotic legion that’s been there for years. Will a laser remove this?

[@leil107]

Doctor, please answer me asap🙏🏼, 2 days ago I had used benzoyl peroxide with clindamycin and left it for a long time, unfortunately, and then - because I did not pay attention - I applied a cream with glycolic acid 😢then I found out that what I've done is horrible.. Now my skin is so inflamed and red with swelling in some places, I think it's burning😭😭😭.. What are the effective substances that I must look for to treat this severe inflammation and burning?

[@elmo5910]

hi!! could i use 10% azelaic acid 2x a week and salicylic acid 2x a week? they wouldn't be on the same day and i wear spf everyday. i don't want to overexfoliate my skin and i don't suffer from cystic acne but i do want to get rid of comedones + PIH; also, if it matters, i'm 15 years old ^^

[@Jess-hk6vv]

Hi dr sam , thanks for this video and I’m myself a melasma sufferer. I done lasers in the past whole course from D Thomas clinic and it didn’t go anywhere.Now I’m using Madik8 whole skincare for melasma. CE ferulic , oxy peptides and SPF 50 in the morning. retinal 10 with your flawless moisturiser in the evening . My melasma has gone really mild within 2 months of oxypeptides and retinal 10 . I’m really pleased with the results. Probably I would go for obagi ( hydra quinone) skincare for winters recommended by doctor and what is your take on that dr Sam ? Thanks 🙌🏽♥️🙏

[@DrSamBunting]

I'm a fan of Obagi Nuderm for melasma.

[@jacgill5241]

Hi Dr Sam, could you recommend axerm in NI for me, I have allergies, causi g anaphylaxis, I suspect salycilic but now reacting to spf products 😥 at my wits end. Thank you so much, Jacqui

[@HBrown-io4td]

love your posts - using your cleanser moisturiser and brightly. currently using skin&me with 0.015 tretanonin Niacinamide 4% Azelaic Acid 4% for pigmentation - wondering about introducing your nightly - assume id give up skin&me or if thats suiting me do i just continue ? thanks

[@DrSamBunting]

Yes - it's either or on the retinoids. Good luck with the regime!

[@EnvyBlu]

I have melasma on both of my cheeks/jawline. I believe it’s from hormonal fluctuations from peri menopause and PCOS. I recently began oral Spironolactone for my cystic acne. Will this medication also help melasma, because it’s suppressing androgens, and regulating my hormones more? I also began using The Ordinary lactic acid, salicylic acid, and CosRx AHA BHA toner and these seem to be really fading my melasma! Is it the skincare products I’m using or is it the medication I’m taking? What’s weird is I didn’t have a melasma problem before I started using Tretinoin a year ago. It came like 4 months after I started it. Can tretinoin actually cause melasma? Or was the melasma deep in my skin and the tretinoin turning over my cells faster made them melasma come to the surface of my skin?

[@Carolll9]

Hello Dr. Sam, what if you work indoors but not close to a window, do you still recommend sunscreen if you’ll be home all day? Also, what if I put on sunscreen at 8am but then go out for a 20 minute walk at 4pm? Do I need to reapply even though I have makeup on? I normally put a hat on. Also, I bought an Azelaic acid serum based on your videos to help with sun spots. Every time I use it my face and neck gets red bumps and itchy, but it goes away after a few hours. The serum has 10% concentration. Sometimes I use it over vitamin c and sometimes on its own, either way, the rash comes. Is it too strong or is this normal and it will go away once my skin gets acclimated? Thank you!

[@DrSamBunting]

Try 5% azelaic acid in that case. Be practical with SPF use - best to get into the habit of daily application, no matter what. By building a regular habit, you'll reap the rewards in time.

[@zmnmirza]

If you are currently using 2-4 drops of Azelaic Acid on your bare face. Try using 1-2 drops instead mixed with a mild moisturizer. Or applying it over your moisturizer. If the irritation persists you could possibly be allergic to something in the serum. Usually serums are a formulation of more than one ingredient. If not Azelaic you maybe reacting to something else in the formula. Read the labels carefully. As long as the Sun is out you should wear SPF n reapply. Unless ofcourse you are in a really dark, really shaded location, think an underground mine. But as she says make a habit of it & you will not regret it.

[@Carolll9]

@@DrSamBunting thank you for the response. I will get I to the habit of wearing spf no matter what and lower the Azelaic acid.

[@Carolll9]

@@zmnmirza thank you! It didn’t occur to me to use it on top of moisturizer. I will review the ingredients list. I do need to think of spf like brushing my teeth. It’s just part of the routing no matter what.

[@lisapierce525]

Dr. Sam I have been on Tretinoin for 4 months. I use 0.05% every other day. Some days my skin surface feels like sandpaper. I’ve never had acne but I do have hyperpigmentation on the sides of my face, in front of my ears. Would Azelaic acid help smooth my skin? Before tret I used Vit C 20% and glycolic acid 10% and my face was as smooth as a baby’s bum. Please help! Thanks for the great video!

[@flr5601]

Can you tell me whether facial redness from acne on young 16 yr old skin eventually fades over time... is there anything in particular we can do to help improve the look of the skin

[@DrSamBunting]

Azelaic Acid is by far the best active in that it tackles acne from multiple aspects and it helps tackle post-acne marks. SPF is also essential.

[@flr5601]

@@DrSamBunting thank you - we are using 20% azelaic acid at the moment

[@soizic9716]

How can we buy you skincare products from France ?

[@DrSamBunting]

On the website - we ship to France! 🇫🇷

[@jeniajen3534]

What about IPL and RF microneedling for face to get rid of melasma?

[@DrSamBunting]

Not the approach I'd use for the reasons I discuss here.

[@janetrodriguez5445]

Can I use a red light mask with malesma?

[@DrSamBunting]

No, that's not something I'd recommend.

[@Thejoyofdecorating]

How long do you take the oral medication for?

[@DrSamBunting]

I tend to prescribe it from May to Sept, give or take.

[@mochipii]

The cat casually walking behind you is a blessing to my eyes.

[@jacgill5241]

A Derm