Stepping out with confidence in skin that you love – the game changer in flawless skin. Rebalance, Repair, Restore. The pigmentation journey

The summer appears to be officially over and Autumn has descended.  Whether you have loved or hated lockdown, for the most part the weather has been beautiful and for many of us we have managed to spend a large part of it outside. 

However much most of us love the sun, too much plays havoc on our skin.  We have had an increase in enquiries about people wanting to ‘fix’ their pigmentation and achieve a flawless complexion.   

Firstly, what is pigmentation and how is it caused? 

Pigmentation is a global concern affecting millions of people all over the world.  90% of people over 50 present with hyperpigmentation and it is the most common reason for visiting a skin therapist.  It can have a major affect on confidence which in turn can lead toa decrease in quality of life and psychological implications. 

Pigmentation is a natural defence against the solar radiation.  Melanin is the pigment found in the skin that gives us a tan and skin colour.  Melanocyte cells are responsible for the production of melanin and are found in the basal layer of the epidermis (in other words the base layer of the upper skin layer).  Melanin travels to the surface of the skin, where it accumulates and pigmentation becomes visible. 

There are many factors that can cause hyperpigmentation.  These include: 

• Sun 
• Ageing skin 
• Tissue inflammation 
• Hormone changes 
• Photosensitising medications
• Certain chemical agents
• Genetic predisposition 

There are four main types of hyperpigmentation: 

• Melasma.  Dark spots which are irregular with blurred edges.  Tend to be symmetrical.  Superficial melasma is clearly visible on the skin whilst deeper melasma tends to be more of a shadow.  Caused by hormones, sun, medications, chemicals and genetic factors. 

• Post-Inflammatory Hyerpigmentation.  This is caused by an inflammatory process caused by a lesion or aggression such as wounds and burns.  It is more common in medium and dark skin types. 

•  Lentigo (liver spots).  Caused by sun and skin ageing.  These are oval spots with defined edges and are mainly found over 50 in sun exposed areas. 

1. Ephilides (freckles).  Typical of light skin types and can appear anyway.  Usually caused by genetics and sun damage 

How we can help treat pigmentation in clinic 

We have various methods that can help in improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation.  It can be an unstable condition and will always require managing well to try and prevent the reappearance. 

The treatment that I most love is called Cosmelan.  In a Covid world, this is the best as we get the quickest results with the minimum amount of contact.  Once you have had the procedure, it’s all about how we manage it at home.  Which, of course, we hold your hand (in a socially distanced way) throughout the process to ensure that you are following the correct protocols.  The winter months are the perfect time to address pigmentation concerns with treatments and products.  However, despite the sun being less of an onslaught, we do have to remember that UV radiation is around us all the time in our lights and computer screens, so we need all year round UV protection. 

Cosmelan is a peeling treatment that works to exfoliate the skin to remove the superficial pigmentation. The ingredients in the products not only peel, but contain a whole brigade of antioxidants that work to repair skin, Tyrosinase inhibitors that limit enzyme activity that leads to the over production of melanin, lightening ingredients, soothing and healing ingredients We can’t necessarily remove everything and of course, results will vary from person to person but personally I think the results are staggering and here are the results from a treatment that we did just before we went into lockdown. 

If you want to see more details about Marianna’s journey with this we are posting all about this on our Facebook page.  You will be able to see videos and we will also be holding a live Q&A session on Monday  12th October at 6.30pm. 

We do have other options available, such as homecare and other in clinic treatments if Cosmelan isn’t for you.  You are welcome to book in for a Full Skin Analysis where we can go through our Rebalance, Repair, Restore programmes and lead you to step out with confidence in skin that you love