What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in colour than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin colour, forms deposits in the skin.
NOTE: Both Hyperpigmentation and Hypopigmentation effect ALL skin types (1 through to 6 as seen in the following scale.) Here at DermaGuru, I can treat the entire range of those skin types in clinic, even though most clinics only specialise in the treatment of 1 through to 4.
Different types of Hyperpigmentation:
– Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is the presence of pigment in the skin. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is temporary pigmentation that follows injury (eg, a thermal burn) or inflammatory disorder of the skin (eg, dermatitis, infection). It is mostly observed in darker skin types.
More severe injury results in Postinflammatory Hypopigmentation, which is usually permanent. Occurring in anyone but more commonly in darker-skinned individuals, in whom the colour tends to be more intense and persist for a longer period than in lighter skin colours.
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation follows damage to the epidermis / dermis with deposition of melanin within the keratinocytes (skin cells.)
– Post Inflammatory Hypopigmentation
Hypopigmentation is the loss of pigment in the skin. Postinflammatory hypopigmentation is an acquired partial or total loss of skin pigmentation occurring after cutaneous inflammation. The distribution and severity of pigment loss is related to the extent and degree of the inflammation. With certain inflammatory skin diseases, some individuals develop hyperpigmentation, while others develop hypopigmentation, and some individuals develop both.
– Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin loses its pigment cells (melanocytes). This can result in discolored patches in different areas of the body, including the skin, hair and mucous membranes.
Different types of Hyperpigmentation:
– Melasma
Melasma is a common skin disorder. Loosely translated, the word means “black spot.” If you have Melasma you’re probably experiencing light brown, dark brown and/or blue-gray patches on your skin. They can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots. Commonly affected areas include your face, including the cheeks, upper lip and forehead, as well as the forearms.
Melasma is sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy” because it frequently affects pregnant women and typically darkens and lightens over time, often getting worse in the summer and better in the winter.
– Solar Lentigines
Solar Lentigos are flat spots which vary in colour from yellow-brown to dark brown-black, depending on skin tone and are generally much larger than freckles. The number and size of Solar Lentigos often increases with age, and, in comparison to freckles, they do not fade much during the winter months.
Freckles and Solar Lentigos are harmless, but it is important to recognise certain differences between these and early malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer). If a brown spot with an irregular border or multiple colours has appeared recently, or if you have any doubts, please seek medical advice.
Adopting good sun-protection habits is the best way to prevent freckles and solar lentigines from developing or worsening. Cover up, especially between peak times from 11-4pm during hot days and wear sunscreen on exposed sites. Consider wearing clothing designed to provide sun protection and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a strong SPF.
Please Note:
All new clients must have a consultation with me before having any advanced treatments.
Treatments for Hyperpigmentation:
– M.E.L.A. Resurfacing Treatment (pHformula)
The unique pHformula powerclay formula used in the M.E.L.A. resurfacing treatments is a powerful hyperpigmentation treatment. This is designed to reduce the accumulation of epidermally located melanin. It effectively inhibits the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase, whilst stimulating epidermal differentiation and therefore accelerates epidermal cellular turnover causing the removal of already formed melanin pigment. Due to the innovative highly effective mode of action, significant visible results are obtained with minimal risk. A powerful blend of active ingredients uniquely formulated in a clay base which assists in the even and rapid penetration of the actives. Most appropriate to help achieve superior improvement of hyperpigmentation spots in all skin types.
Different protocols can be combined in a prescription program. The strength and depth of the products are controlled by the physician, based on application technique and the number of layers applied during the skin resurfacing procedure.
– Medical Micro-Needling
By using small needles to break the skin’s surface gently, micro-needling encourages your skin to regenerate, and the result is new, more youthful-looking skin. Alongside, this we use a transdermal solution bespoke to your needs containing skin essential nutrients, vitamins and actives to treat the lower layers of your skin effectively. It can treat a range of skin problems from wrinkles and fine lines to enlarged pores and acne or chickenpox scars. It can also help repair sun damage to the face, pigmentation and even help with cellulite and stretch marks.
– TCA Touch
TCA TOUCH™ is my most advanced chemical resurfacing treatment I offer otherwise know as a TCA Peel. Consisting of a revolutionary concept with intense stimulation and cell renewal, with the ability to control the penetration resulting in a unique non-aggressive and multi-functional treatment.
Trichloroacetic acid, otherwise known as TCA 30% concentration, results in intense stimulation and cell renewal with excellent skin tolerance and effectiveness. Combined with the unique delivery complex PH-DVCTM ensures the TCA molecules’ rapid delivery into the deeper layers with no superficial trauma and excellent skin tolerance.
Products for Hyperpigmentation:
– Vitamin C (pHformula)
Essential to prevent and reverse visible signs of skin ageing and pigment changes. pHformula has developed a highly concentrated vitamin C cream with 24 hour moisturising properties to offer immediate and intense hydration.
– A.C.T.I.V.E. formula (pHformula)
Specially formulated to assist in normalising hyperpigmented skin and maintaining overall results.
– M.E.L.A. Recovery (pHformula)
The M.E.L.A. recovery is specifically formulated to work in synergism with the pHformula skin resurfacing treatments. A unique combination of active ingredients working synergistically to assist in speeding-up skin recovery, maintaining the overall health of the skin, and helping to prevent future skin damage.
