WHAT IS IT? WHAT ARE THE CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS?

Hyperpigmentation can be an unwanted consequence of internal physical factors and/or external factors which can include hormonal changes, sun exposure, skin type, trauma and the skin’s natural aging process. Presenting as areas of uneven skin tone, darkness, age spots or freckles, pigmentation occurs when excess melanin (skin pigment) has been stimulated. Factors that may contribute to this process can be divided into external, internal and genetic triggers.

WHAT CAUSES PIGMENTATION?
  • Sun damage
  • Genetics
  • Skin type
  • Hormones/Pregnancy
  • Skin trauma/Injury
  • Birthmarks
  • Environmental exposure
  • Environmental changes
  • Friction
  • Uric acid (sweat burn)
  • Trauma, medications and medical conditions
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PIGMENTATION?

Epidermal Pigmentation (Superficial) usually affects lighter skin tones and is usually caused by sun damage. Some examples of Superficial pigmentation include:

  • Sun spots
  • Age spots
  • Freckles

Dermal Pigmentation (Deeper) which can be caused by trauma, medications and hormonal factors, can present itself as:

  • Pigmented acne scarring
  • Birthmarks
  • Chloasma/Melasma

Hyperpigmentation is not just restricted to the facial area and commonly presents on the shoulders, neck, décolletage, backs of the hands and bikini area. Pigmentation affects all skin colours and all skin types and conditions. Any form of hyperpigmentation may be further aggressed by sun exposure and the daily use of an SPF30 or greater sunscreen on all affected areas is crucial.

TREATMENT SOLUTIONS

PHOTO REJUVENATION

Photo Rejuvenation an extremely effective treatment against many forms of Pigmentation. Performed with our Medical Grade Intense Pulsed Light Laser or IPL, Photo Rejuvenation is a non-invasive treatment that uses light to absorb melanin (the dark pigment) and haemoglobin (the red colour in your blood vessels). This light converts to heat, which damages the target cells without disrupting the skin’s surface. After treatment of pigmented areas they will go darker sometimes almost black, then will fall off within 7 to 28 days (depending on the area of the body) or it will just gradually fade.

CHEMICAL PEELS

Chemical Peels are an exceptional choice for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. Laser Skin & Body offers many different types of chemical peels that are specifically formulated to help even out the overall skin tone, treat hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, while leaving the skin hydrated.

SKIN NEEDLING

Skin Needling is highly effective for treating hyperpigmentation in dark skin colours. This multitasking treatment creates rejuvenating micro channels into the skin to promote a more balanced and normalized cellular function. As melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) are directly targeted, a repair and corrective process to encourage an even skin tone creating a radiant appearance.

LASER FACIAL

Laser Facial uses Q-Switched Laser technology which uses a combination of high power and short pulse widths (less than 20 nanoseconds – one nanosecond is equivalent to one billionth of a second) that delivers energy throughout the layers of the epidermis, faster than the normal relaxation time of the tissue. This process safely breaks down and shatters small particles comprising the discolouration or skin lesions, which are then later removed by the body’s immune system.

CARBON LASER PEEL

Carbon Laser Peel is the application of specialised laser energy to reduce visible skin age spots, pigmentation and improve skin tone.

Laser energy works in two ways. First, it gently targets the melanin (pigmentation/age spots) in the cells breaking it up for your body’s natural removal processes. Second, it heats deep in the dermis causing the skin to contract and stimulate collagen.