Bothered by brown spots? Struggling with an uneven complexion? Pigmentation can be a real pain but thankfully, it’s not something you have to put up with! The good news is that pigmentation is usually harmless.
Many people experience it at some point in their lives and though it’s a common sign of ageing, it can also be caused by several other factors. But just because it’s not usually anything to worry about, doesn’t mean you won’t worry! The problem with pigmentation is that it can change the way you feel about yourself. It’s only natural to want your skin to look and feel a certain way. When age spots and dark patches appear it can knock your self-esteem and leave you feeling low.
We don’t want that do we? That’s why, this New Year, we’ve made it our mission to help you kick your confidence into high gear. We’re sharing our expert knowledge of common skin niggles, like pigmentation, so you can get a better understanding of how to deal with them. With our guide to the best skincare products for Melasma treatment and age spots treatment, as well as the hyperpigmentation treatments we offer in our London clinics, so you can wave goodbye to your hang-ups and learn to love the skin you’re in.
Ready to find out how to tackle pigmentation head-on? Let’s get started…
What is pigmentation?
Pigmentation, also known as hyperpigmentation, is the name given to patches of skin that are darker compared to the overall skin tone. There are several different types of pigmentation, including age spots, Melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Both Melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation tend to be temporary, whereas age spots are considered more permanent. However, all three can be tackled by a variety of hyperpigmentation treatments to reduce their appearance and create an overall more even skin tone.
What are the causes of pigmentation?
Pigmentation occurs as a result of the overproduction of melanin (the pigment that gives skin its colour). It’s a very common condition that affects people of all skin types. Age spots, Melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation all have different causes.
Age spots (also called brown spots) are usually caused by overexposure to the sun. They’re often brown, tan or black and are commonly found on the face, hands and arms. The age spots treatments at EF MEDISPA can give fantastic results even in these noticeable areas.
Melasma (or Chloasma) looks like large patches of darkened skin and tends to occur as a result of hormonal changes i.e. in pregnancy or from taking birth control pills. At EF MEDISPA, we offer targeted Melasma treatments that can help balance out your skin tone.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is caused by injury or trauma such as a cut, burn or acne. When the skin heals, it leaves a flat area of discolouration behind. This type of pigmentation is common in acne sufferers and can occur anywhere on the body. It is also more common in people with darker skin tones.
How can the condition be addressed?
The best way to avoid pigmentation is to reduce your skin’s exposure to the sun. Apply an SPF like the
OMNI by Esther Sunshine Block to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. What’s more OMNI by Esther doubles up as a radiant tinted moisturiser – perfect for the summer when it’s a little too hot for full coverage foundation.
If you have children, make sure they’re covered in sunblock too. The earlier you start protecting the skin, the greater chance you have of preventing brown spots and sun damage in the future.
We’d also advise that you don’t pick your skin. We know it can be tempting when you have spot or scab but picking can aggravate the skin and increase the chances of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Pigmentation in the form of age spots, Melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is usually harmless, however, if you’re experiencing other symptoms such as fatigue, stomach pains, weakness, joint pain or weakness, we recommend seeing your GP as well as having hyperpigmentation treatment.
Looking to treat pigmentation for cosmetic reasons? You’ll be pleased to hear several hyperpigmentation treatments can help to improve the condition including
Mesotherapy,
IV Drips (Drip & Chill),
Skin Peels,
IPL Therapy and the
LED Luminous Lift, exclusively available at EF MEDISPA. Below we’ve shared a brief guide to the benefits of each treatment and the specific type of pigmentation they’re designed to combat.
Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is a versatile micro-needling treatment offered at EF MediSpa that involves injecting a bespoke combination of powerful vitamins, minerals and hyaluronic acid into the lower layers of the skin.
For this hyperpigmentation treatment, we use a personalised blend of nutrients combined with cutting-edge micro-needling technology to trigger the production of collagen, help rejuvenate the skin and create a more radiant complexion.
Mesotherapy can be used to treat a wide range of skin concerns, such as dull and dehydrated skin, stretch marks and pigmentation caused by sun exposure and trauma. Book a one-to-one with our expert treatment coordinators to find out exactly how Mesotherapy can help improve the appearance of your pigmentation.
IV Drips
Intravenous therapy (IV) is designed to deliver fluids directly into a vein. It’s a treatment you’re most likely to see in a hospital setting, however, it’s becoming increasingly popular in cosmetic and wellness clinics too, and can be used as a hyperpigmentation treatment.
Here at EF MediSpa, we use
IV drips to treat several pigmentation concerns including brown spots and as age spots treatment and Melasma treatment. IV drips are customised to individual needs and deliver a bespoke blend of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and supplements to help combat pigmentation. Ingredients such as Glutathione, Vitamin C and Magnesium are great for giving you an overall boost while fading hyperpigmentation and brightening your overall complexion.
Skin Peels
Skin peels are the best treatment for pigmentation caused by sun damage and trauma to the skin i.e. acne. This hyperpigmentation treatment is designed to deeply exfoliate the skin to lift the pigmentation and is an effective option for people with darker skin tones experiencing pigmentation.
EF MediSpa offers a range of
pigmentation peels using skin-brightening ingredients, proven manual exfoliation techniques and anti-inflammatory agents to balance out your complexion. Get in touch to book a consultation with one of our friendly and highly experienced treatment coordinators, who will listen to your concerns, help identify your pigmentation type and create a bespoke treatment programme tailored to your needs.
IPL Therapy
Intense Pulse Light (IPL) therapy is a gentle, safe and effective treatment for superficial pigmentation. It uses a range of wavelengths to penetrate just below the skin surface (where melanin absorbs light) and cause damage to the pigment. The body reacts by forcing the skins natural defences to come to the rescue, removing the damaged melanin and releasing collagen to repair the skin. Together, these actions result in improvements to both the skin’s appearance and texture.
IPL therapy is best for hormonal pigmentation or Melasma treatment, and age spots treatment. The fact it’s targeted and precise means you can focus only on the areas of concern i.e. the darker areas of skin to balance out your complexion and achieve a more radiant look.
However, it’s worth noting that IPL is not effective on all skin types. It’s best suited to lighter skin types as it interacts with the excess pigment in the skin. If you have darker skin, you will have better results from alternative hyperpigmentation treatments like skin peels.
We will always carry out a patch test before treatment to check your skin is suitable for IPL and increase the chances of a positive outcome.
LED Luminous Lift
Our cutting-edge light treatment is designed to repair, replenish and revive problematic, damaged and ageing skin. To put it simply, it uses a rainbow of light frequencies to create a more balanced, glowing and healthy-looking complexion.
The
LED Luminous Lift at EF MEDISPA usually only takes 30 minutes. It’s pain-free (in fact clients often say how relaxing it is) and there’s absolutely no downtime involved.
Whether you have pigmentation as a result of acne (or other skin trauma like surgery) or are looking to diminish the appearance of your age spots, the LED Luminous Lift is a hyperpigmentation treatment will help even out your skin tone and create a radiant complexion.
As with all of our pigmentation treatments, the LED Luminous Lift is tailored to the individual and because we all have unique skin types, results can vary. If you are interested in seeing how it can improve your skin tone, book a one-to-one consultation with one of our friendly treatment coordinators. They will discuss your requirements, assess your type of pigmentation and design a bespoke treatment plan to get you the best possible results.
Put pigmentation problems in the past with EF MEDISPA
As you can see, we have plenty of hyperpigmentation treatment options, including Melasma treatments and age spots treatments to explore for reducing the appearance of pigmentation and restoring a more even complexion. And what better way to start the New Year than by boosting your confidence and feeling great about your skin?
Book a complimentary consultation with our treatment coordinators today to find out how EF MEDISPA can help you put your pigmentation problems in the past and start the new decade feeling your very best!
