What Is Sundamage/ Pigmentation?
Sun damage or pigmentation is a concern that affects the skin anywhere on the face or body. When patches of skin go darker in colour, such as with age spots, melasma or after a spot, this is known as hyperpigmentation. However, when areas of skin appear lighter, this is called hypopigmentation. This condition can develop in both men and women at any age (depending on the cause), and when it appears on visible areas of the face and / or body, it can make the affected person feel self-conscious. The cause of hyperpigmentation can be varied ranging from hormonal, as a result of excessive sun exposure or even after trauma in an area such as a burn or spot.
What Causes Pigmentation?
The colour of your skin is determined by the amount of melanin that it produces. The development of hyperpigmentation means that too much melanin has been produced in specific areas on the skin as a result of external and sometimes internal factors. Sun damage and over exposure to UV rays causes damage to the skin cells and degradation of collagen leading to the production of hyperpigmentation (sunspots) on the skin which becomes more visible over time. Melasma is hormonally driven becoming noticeable when pregnant (pregnancy mask), due to birth control or menopause. This combined with exposure to UV radiation (the sun) leads to a classic appearance of hyperpigmentation on the face generally present in the middle of the face such as the forehead and upper lip, but also symmetrically on the face typically on both cheeks. The severity of melasma can vary and often people who suffer with melasma notice the condition to be much more obvious in the summer months.
Hyperpigmentation can also occur following inflammation or trauma in an area such as with a burn, wound or spot. Following healing of the area a dark mark may be left referred to as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). This is more commonly seen in darker skin types.
How Can I Treat Pigmentation?
At Takroni clinic our team of clinicians and therapists can help treat your hyperpigmentation regardless of the cause. The treatment that is recommended for you will be based on your specific concerns and the cause of your hyperpigmentation and will generally always include medical grade products to be used at home to improve the appearance. Depending on the cause of the hyperpigmentation your treatment may also include medical grade facials including the Obagi blue radiance peel, Lumecca (IPL), HydraFacial, or medical microneedling with.
