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Pigmentation explained
Pigmentation refers to the coloring of the skin. Skin pigmentation disorders cause changes to the color of your skin. Melanin is made by cells in the skin and is the pigment responsible for your skin's color. Hyperpigmentation is a condition that causes your skin to darken.
Pigmentation on the hand.
1 treatment with Clarity laser, result 17 days later.
A number of factors can trigger an increase in melanin production resulting in a darker visible patch on the surface of the skin, but the main ones are sun exposure, hormonal influences, age and skin injuries or inflammation. However generally pigmentation is a result of a combination of the above reasons.
We have several options available to treat pigmentation but it is worth noting NO method 'cures' pigment, we can reduce the visible appearance, manage the amount of melanin produced and protect and maintain the result.
The treatment you will need will depend on the cause of your pigment (this will be determined at your free consultation.).
For pigment that is not hormonally caused the best cause of treatment is a combination of peels and Laser treatments. The Laser is able to breakdown to excess melanin so that is can be either reabsorbed by the body, or form a fine crust on the skins surface that falls off after approx. 10-14 days. The laser delivers precisely targeted photothermal energy (light that turns to heat) that can break up pigmentation lesions.
For hormonal pigmentation a course of Peels and Micro-needling will have a more effective result as this type of pigment tends to be deeper and does not respond to Laser well.
For specific raised pigmentation common on Fitzpatrick skin types 5+ Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra Advanced Electrolysis is the safest method of removal.
With any pigmentation treatment homecare products are essential- ultimately without the correct homecare applied daily you not obtain optimal results. These products should include an exfoliator, pigment suppressent serum/cream, vitamin C, retinol and a broad spectrum SPF (of min spf30).
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