What do freckles, sun damage, and melasma all have in common? They’re all kinds of pigmentation that we can all experience at stages in our lives. Fortunately, there are many different ways we can control pigmentation both in and out of the clinic.
Today, we answer your most frequently asked questions about what pigmentation is, what causes it, and if we’ve got it, what we can do to treat it.
What is pigmentation?
Pigmentation is a coloured patch of melanin that can present across the face and body. Melanin, a naturally occurring protein in the body, determines the natural skin tone of a person but when it is produced in too large or too small of a quantity, pigmentation can appear.
What causes pigmentation?
Pigmentation doesn’t have a type. Anyone can have pigmentation and it can be caused by a multitude of internal and external factors.
The most primary cause of unwanted pigmentation is sun damage. Overexposure to UVA and UVB rays triggers melanocytes, the cells that produce pigmentation, and can lead to irregular colouring.
As many of us know, sun damage doesn’t always immediately appear but can creep up on us later in life and be trickier to treat.
Hormones can also play a key role in the appearance of pigmentation. This is known as melasma (or chloasma when pregnant). A stubborn form of pigmentation, melasma presents as blotches or patches rather than like freckles and is caused by fluctuations and changes in hormone levels.
In addition to pregnancy, where our hormones experience significant peaks and dips, melasma can be contributed to oral contraceptives, medications (creating sensitivities to sunlight) and genetics.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is another form of pigmentation that is caused by trauma to the skin. Trauma can include acne, physical trauma (such as an accident or wound), misuse of skincare (such as chemical peels) and aggressive laser treatments. This kind of pigmentation can be worsened if the skin is further aggravated without proper treatment.
Lastly, ageing is one of the common causes of pigmentation. Ageing plays a role as over the years, our skin has experienced sun damage, neglect and the impact of environmental stressors such as free radicals. These factors trigger our melanocytes and spark melanin production into overdrive. Whilst ageing is a fact of life, looking our age is not. With professional prescription of in-clinic treatments and at-home skincare, pigmentation and the signs of ageing can be addressed.
How can I remove unwanted pigmentation?
Every different kind of pigmentation tells a different story. This means that we need to treat pigmentation carefully and individually. At SkinEnergy, we offer a selection of industry-leading treatments that harness high-performance technology and cosmeceuticals to combat unwanted pigmentation. Treatments that may be applicable to your journey include:
Skin Needling
Skin Needling, also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, is a results-focussed multitasker that works to refine and restore complexions. Known for its swift and effective treatments with minimal downtime, Skin Needling uses tiny, rapid-paced needles to break up the pigment in your area of concern. Whilst this is occurring, our body has triggered its natural wound healing response and is working in overdrive to repair itself. This means that after a series of skin needling treatments, new skin cells are formed to diminish the pigmented ones.
IPL Skin Tone Correction
Intense Pulse Light, known as IPL, is a type of broadband like that uses specific wavelengths to treat a number of common skin concerns including pigmentation.
When treating pigmentation with IPL, we apply a conductive gel and place the IPL handpiece on your treatment area. When the light is triggered, the pigmentation absorbs the light and heats it to the point of destruction. The skin then renews itself with healthy, regenerated cells to replace the pigmented skin. Following your treatment, pigment can appear darker as it gently flakes away over your treatment journey.
DMK Skincare
Pairing your in-clinic pigmentation treatments with at-home cosmeceuticals is integral. Like any skin health journey, a large percentage of your results happen at home thanks to adhering to the routines created by your treatment provider. For SkinEnergy clients, this means getting started with DMK at home.
DMK Melanotech range are specifically formulated for addressing the appearance of pigmentation. This range harnesses 3 key ingredients to combat pigmentation. Licorice Root, Kojic Acid and Algae.
Interrupting the enzymes that trigger pigmentation, Licorice Root is a powerful ingredient to lighten the appearance of existing pigmentation. Kojic Acid is a dual-action ingredient that addresses both existing pigmentation and the prevention of future ones. This is thanks to its ability to break down the existing pigmentation whilst supressing tyrosine’s (which prevents melanin production).
Algae is the third hero ingredient in DMK’s Melanotech’s range. Algae has naturally high levels of Vitamin C which is a known brightening agent. This is excellent for revising the early signs of pigmentation whilst providing complexions an overall bright appearance.
Finally, our skincare hero for not just preventing pigmentation but any long-term skin condition is SPF. Applying SPF every single day and reapplying where required is crucial for preventing future pigmentation caused by the sun and environmental aggressors.
How do I get started?
When it’s time to take control of your pigmentation, the SkinEnergy team are here for you. Beginning with our signature skin consultation, we’ll work to identify the type of pigmentation you’re experiencing and craft your personalised treatment plan for both in and out of our clinic.
To book your consultation, visit our website or contact us on (07) 5528 3100.
