Pigmentation is Reversible

Brighten Up! We’re Going To Deal With Pigmentation

Keeping a close eye on signs of skin ageing? Frown lines and crow’s feet are not the only indicators to watch out for. As the years roll by, the youthful, even-toned look begins to fade, and time begins to cast a shadow over beautiful skin. Ever so gradually, dark patches, redness and white spots make their appearance, and the skin tone turns uneven. These signs of skin ageing are quite common, and no one can escape the ravages of time, whether you are a teenager or a middle-aged person.

Pigmentation: when you get too much of a good thing

Did you know what is pigmentation? It is basically a sign that your skin is working hard to protect you. Think about it. Sun exposure is the most common cause of skin pigmentation and can affect the face, neck, hands, and all areas visible to the sun. What’s going on beneath the surface is this: when sunlight beats down on your skin, along with all that Vitamin D-producing goodness comes a nasty dose of UV radiation. Now your skin cells are smart. Sensing danger (skin cancers and all the rest of it), they respond by producing the pigment melanin in excessive quantities, which does a great job of shielding, but shows up as skin darkening and sun tan. “The real problem occurs when melanin is produced and distributed unevenly, forcing only certain areas of the skin to darken, leaving behind a patchy appearance,” says Dr Olfa Mokrani Fahem, a prominent dermatologist from the kaya skin clinic team.

Skin comes in various colours and types. So does Skin pigmentation?

If you thought you could leave pigmentation untreated and live under the shadows, think again! “If unattended to, the dark patches and spots can make themselves comfortable on your skin, causing you utmost discomfort in the form of itchiness, redness, and colour or size changes,” points out Dr Fahem. Besides sun exposure, pigmentation could also be triggered by hormonal influences and hereditary factors. But while the causes can be many, the outcome is never pretty and can lead to low self-esteem. And in order to treat hyperpigmentation effectively, it is very important to identify the causes and recognise the type.

Solar Lentigines

Also known as ‘sun spots’, ‘age spots’ or ‘liver spots’, this form of skin hyperpigmentation is associated with excessive exposure to UV light and skin ageing. Though they may appear anywhere on the body, age spots are commonly seen on the face, neck, arms and decollete. Common among people over the age of 40, solar lentigines occur when skin loses its ability to repair itself from UV damage. These spots and patches can range from light brown to black in colour and appear over areas of skin most exposed to sunlight which can lead to skin cancer and melanoma. The only way to avoid sun spots is early prevention in the form of sun protection.
Also referred to as liver spots or sun spots, these are pigmented spots with a clearly defined edge. They may occur anywhere on the body and vary in colour from light brown to black. These spots are caused by UV sun exposure and the degree depends on how much UV light these melanin pigments are exposed to. These must be monitored as they may develop into skin cancer and melanoma. Annual checks with your skin specialist are essential.

Melasma or Chloasma

Melasma or chloasma also called “the mask of pregnancy” is prevalent among pregnant women who are using oral contraceptives or undergoing hormone replacement therapy. When female hormones like estrogen and progesterone are over-activated, they influence the production of melanin the moment the rays of the sun touch your skin. This increase in melanin production causes uneven patches and spots in black and brown to appear on the forehead, nose, cheeks and lips. Though sun exposure has been regarded as the primary cause of melasma, specific medical and health conditions (like pregnancy, for that matter) also trigger this condition.

Freckles

Usually a hereditary skin condition, freckles most commonly appear on lighter skin. The pigment melanin forms small clusters under the skin, and when exposed to sunlight, these clusters darken and lead to a spotted appearance on the nose and cheeks. Freckles are usually genetic, but excessive sun exposure can damage the skin resulting in excessive freckles.

PIH

PIH or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs if the skin has suffered an injury in the form of lesions, wounds, rashes, pimples or acne. There is discolouration of the skin along with inflammation of the skin. Depending on the skin tone, PIH can appear as red, pink, brown or black spots. PIH can also occur after cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels, dermabrasion or laser treatments.

Getting even with patches and spots

Defence is the best form of offence. “Since the most common cause for skin pigmentation is sun exposure, the best place to start battling the problem is investing in the right sunscreen,” advises Dr. Fahem. Products with a minimum SPF of 30 and offer protection against UVA and UVB radiation are ideal. Our summers are brutal. Add an extra layer of protection against the sun. Ensure you never step out without your sunglasses, a hat, or a scarf.

Dr. Fahem advocates the use of products that contain Vitamin E, which protects and repairs skin cells; hydroquinone, which reduces melanin production and eliminates skin discolouration; and nicotinamide, which evens out skin tone. Sounds too technical? Don’t worry, your skin will get it.

Spot-on treatments for pigmented skin

There’s no reason why you should have to live with uneven skin tone when you can step out of the shadows with beautiful skin.
At kaya skin clinic, our team of expert dermatologists believe everyone can have flawless skin. They’ve developed a whole new approach to pigmentation, with treatment plans customised to suit your skin’s needs.
Our dermatologists possess a deep understanding of skin and melanin production. Based on this understanding, they’ve created a unique line of treatments that combines laser technology and advanced peel formulations to get even with pigmentation.
Make spots a thing of the past with Kaya Pigmentation Skin Treatment. Highly effective against pigmentation, this treatment gets to the root of the problem and reduces dark spots and patches. Your skin will be able to tell the difference early enough. Your dermatologist could also recommend the use of our advanced skin formulations to help maintain treatment results for a longer period of time. (Read more about these evolutionary applications of advanced science.)
It is now possible to turn back the clock on pigmentation and bring back smooth, even-toned skin with Kaya skin-lightening miracles. This fractional laser-based treatment penetrates through the skin’s deepest layers to break apart melanin deposits. Combined with peels and aftercare products recommended by your dermatologists, this approach goes where no pigmentation therapy has gone before.
So if you want to brave the glorious sunshine with flawless skin, strengthen your bond with sunscreen and visit an expert dermatologist today. Although hyperpigmentation is usually harmless, why not step out of the shadows, into the light? It’s sunny days ahead!
– By Kaya’s Expert Dermatologists