What is skin pigmentation and how can you treat it?

 

 

Hyperpigmentation usually presents itself as age spots, uneven colour, freckles and sometimes melasma (mask of pregnancy), due to excess melanin production and deposition in the skin.

Sun exposure is the main factor, but hyperpigmentation can also be aggravated by other factors including hormones during pregnancy or the contraceptive pill, certain medications, and also post inflammation following trauma or acne.

To some people, blemish marks are just a temporary thing, but to others it can be more stubborn.
Stubborn marks will sometimes also fade, but will often take many months or even years to disappear altogether.
And once you have got rid of them you need them not to come back!

 

 

How to treat pigmentation?

 

How much you can reduce the appearance of pigmentation depends on what is causing the problem and also how deep into the skin the pigmentation extends.

 

– UV protection/sunscreen is paramount in the treatment of pigmentation and will help prevent excess melanin production. Apply it daily and all year round, not just in the summer. Go for a broad spectrum sunscreen of an SPF 30 or above.

 

Our Top Sunscreens:
SkinCeuticals Ultra facial spf50 
Heliocare Sunscreen SPF 50 Gel
SkinCeuticals Mineral Radiance UV Defense SPF 50

 

– Apply a pigmentation lightening product twice a day to the pigmentation areas. Our highly effective pigment lightening products contain cutting edge ingredients such as Kojic acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Phytic acid, SabiWhite, skin brightening peptides, Vitamin C, Azelaic acid, Licorice and Mulberry – all scientifically proven to be highly effective.

 

Our Top selling Pigment Lightening Products:
Dermaceutic Yellow Cream
SkinCeuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector
Jan Marini Luminate Face lotion

 

- Apply Vitamin Cevery morning after cleansing, then follow with a lightening product. Antioxidant (Vitamin C) safeguards the skin from photo-ageing by preventing the formation of free radicals & also helps reduce melanin formation in the skin (skin pigment).

Our Top Vitamin C Serums:
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
Medik8 C Tetra Intense 
Jan Marini C-esta Serum 

 

– Using exfoliants (Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid) can also help fade pigmentation by speeding up cell turnover and accelerating the natural peeling of pigmented or dead skin cells and stimulating new skin cell growth. Maybe use a cleanser & moisturiser which contains AHA’s.

 

– Use Retinol at night if your pigmentation is stubborn as it increases cell turnover and exfoliation.

Our Top Retinol Serums/creams:
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3
Jan Marini Retinol Plus
Medik8 Retinol 3TR, 6TR & 10TR
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 

 

– Microdermabrasion is also a recommended treatment option for hyperpigmentation along with a daily skincare regime. It helps fade pigmentation by removing the pigmented or dead skin cells and stimulating new skin cell growth. At-home twice weekly microdermabrasion treatments are very popular, affordable and effective.

 

DermaTx Microdermabrasion Systems 

 

It does take time for hyperpigmentation to diminish, so please be patient. Make sure you keep using your daily pigment lightening skincare products and of course sunscreen.