Hyperpigmentation Treatment London

Skin pigmentation treatments

Introduction

• What is Hyperpigmentation?

  Pigmentation simply refers to the colour of your skin, while hyperpigmentation refers to an excess of melanin production, which causes dark spots or uneven patches of pigmentation to appear across the skin. Hyperpigmentation can happen to anyone, no matter their skin colour or skin texture.

  To create your skin’s pigmentation, cells called melanocytes create pigmentation in the form of melanin. Everyone’s skin pigmentation is on a spectrum, from those who have albinism who have almost no melanin to those who have a very dark complexion who will have a lot of melanin in their skin.

  Hyperpigmentation may affect both the face and the body and can show up in the form of age spots or sun spots as Solar Lentigines. Melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are two types of pigmentation that also come under the umbrella term of hyperpigmentation.

• Who will be more affected by hyperpigmentation?

  If you have darker skin, you’re more likely to be affected by hyperpigmentation. This is because skin pigmentation is already high in those with a darker skin tone. Hyperpigmentation can occur on all skin types.

  Unfortunately skin pigmentation treatment can be harder to manage on those with dark skin, since the patches of increased pigmentation will emerge with a higher concentration of pigment, and as such will take longer to treat and fade.

• What are the different types of Hyperpigmentation?

  There are many different types of Hyperpigmentation, and they can result from many different factors. The most common types of hyperpigmentation are age spots, melasma and post-inflammatory pigmentation.

  Age spots or lentigines are typically created due to sun damage and they normally appear on older adults. Age spots are also known as sun spots.

  Melasma are large patches of hyperpigmentation seen on the body and the face. Melasma are more common in women than men and are thought to be the result of a change in hormone production.

  Post-inflammatory pigmentation often occurs when there has been a skin injury or trauma to the skin and the skin has healed incorrectly. Post-inflammatory pigmentation is common in those with acne or eczema, but it can also be caused by cosmetic procedures such as dermabrasion, laser treatments and strong chemical peels.

  This is why we choose to use less aggressive treatments for hyperpigmentation to avoid causing post-inflammatory pigmentation and still achieving excellent results.

  Hyperpigmentation can also be caused by medication, your hormones or skin type.

• How can Hyperpigmentation be treated?

  We’ll work with you to create a treatment plan for your pigmentation removal that works for you. There are a variety of options you can explore and we’ll recommend the best option for your skin.

  Dr Marjan Goodacre will examine your skin during the facial consultation and create a treatment plan based on your skin concerns. Throughout the consultation, she’ll discuss with you the risks and benefits associated with each treatment.

  Our treatment for pigmentation ranges from topical creams to chemical peels and sometimes plasma treatment.

• How can Hyperpigmentation be prevented?

  If you’re concerned about hyperpigmentation increasing as you age, there are ways to reduce and prevent hyperpigmentation. We would recommend protecting your skin from the sun to reduce uneven skin tone in the future. This could include:

  • Keeping out of the sun from the hours 10am – 4pm, when the UV rays are the strongest
  • Minimising exposure to the sun by sitting in the shade or under an umbrella
  • Wearing sun hats and protective clothing if you are out in the sun
  • Even in the cooler months, using a sunscreen product every day
  • Ensure that your skin is regularly moisturised to make sure that your skin’s lipid (fat) barrier is restored and protected from the sun’s rays
  • Avoiding picking at scabs, spots or acne
  • Stopping using skincare products that burn or sting as skin irritation could contribute to melasma

Pigmentation Treatment London FAQs

• What can create hyperpigmentation of the skin?

  Hyperpigmentation can be created due to a range of factors – including sun exposure, skin conditions such as acne or eczema and hormonal changes.

• Can hyperpigmentation be removed?

  Hyperpigmentation is not a dangerous skin condition and can be removed in a variety of ways – from non-invasive topical creams and chemical peels to plasma treatment and laser treatment.

• Should I get an initial consultation before I start any hyperpigmentation treatment?

  We would always recommend that you see our skin specialist for a facial consultation before starting any treatment.

  Then we can assess what the best treatment for your skin concerns will be and we can give you guidance throughout our detailed treatment plans.

• Is hyperpigmentation treatment painful?

  While prescription creams and chemical peels may be pain free, you will experience mild stinging, itching and later on flaking.

  Numbing cream is first applied for Plasma Treatment to make this procedure more comfortable.

• How many treatment sessions are necessary?

  This varies greatly from person to person and depends on what kind of treatment you follow, the depth and age of the pigmentation you wish to treat, hormonal factors and your skin type.

  Some of our clients only need one treatment to treat their hyperpigmentation, others need up to six treatments.

• Are there any side effects I should be aware of?

  The main side effects will be slight redness, tingling or stinging, itching and flaking of the skin. Our skin experts can also adjust the treatment to reduce the side effects until your skin can tolerate the treatment better.