| What is Pigmentation? | | | | - Vitamin C- or ascorbic acid, is a very potent |
| Pigmentation is where the Melanocytes become | | | | antioxidant. Most studies on the effects of antioxidants |
| overstimulated. Melanocytes are the skin cells which | | | | on the skin have used this vitamin. In laboratory studies, |
| give our skin colour. The darker areas are Melasma | | | | large amounts of vitamin C reduced skin swelling and |
| and the lighter areas are called decolorations. Although | | | | protected immune factors from sunlight. Vitamin C |
| these make up the skins pigmentation, they have to be | | | | may even promote collagen production. |
| treated differently. The lighter areas on our skin | | | | - Intense pulsed light – Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) |
| (decolarations) mean that our skin is not producing | | | | pulses uses wavelengths of heated light which are |
| enough Melanocytes. The darker areas of our skin | | | | directly aimed at the pigmented spots. The |
| (Melasma) indicates the opposite, that our skin is | | | | advantages of this technology include the fact that the |
| producing too much Melanocytes. | | | | pigment is able to be targeted precisely without |
| | | | damaging surrounding tissue. Skin pigmentation in the |
| Hyper-pigmentation can be the result of many factors, | | | | face, neck, chest and hands can be treated safely |
| external or internal. The internal causes can be certain | | | | and effectively. |
| illnesses such as Edisons disease and some hepatic | | | | The light energy is gently delivered to the skin in pulses, |
| (liver) problems. Hormonal changes such as | | | | through a delicate, computer-controlled handpiece. |
| menopause and pregnancy, along with certain vitamin | | | | After your IPL treatment, the skin pigmentation or sun |
| and mineral deficits are another cause of | | | | spots will gradually fade and slowly disappear, |
| hyper-pigmentation.External factors such as exposure | | | | however in some instances the pigment may appear |
| to sun and the use of some products that irritate the | | | | darker as it heals itself whilst in other cases it can flake |
| skin or cause skin photosensitivity can aggravate the | | | | up in a bid to eliminate the pigment in an external scab |
| problem. Cosmetics or fragrances containing alcohol | | | | form. |
| compounded with exposure of your skin to the | | | | The added benefit of the Palomar IPL Technology is |
| sun-increases your risk. Alcohol + sun = irritation and | | | | that is also works to activate cells in the skin called |
| risk of developing hyper-pigmentation, so you should | | | | fibroblasts which stimulate collagen remodeling and |
| always use a suitable sun-block. | | | | new collagen production. Effectively, this helps to |
| How do I treat Hyper-pigmentation? | | | | rejuvenate the skin, improving its texture, visibly |
| - Hydroxy acids-Alpha hydroxy acids facilitate the | | | | minimising pores and reducing superficial fine lines and |
| shedding of dead skin cells and may even stimulate | | | | wrinkles to reveal a more youthfully hydrated |
| the production of collagen and elastin. They are found | | | | appearance. |
| naturally as follows: | | | | - Microdermabrasion-the resurfacing effect of |
| 1. Lactic Acid (Milk) | | | | microdermabrasion can achieve the following: |
| 2. Glycolic acid (sugar cane). | | | | 1. Removal of abnormal tissue and rough skin |
| 3. Malic acid (found in apples and pears). | | | | 2. Stimulation of new skin growth |
| 4. Citric acid (oranges and lemons). | | | | 3. |
| 5. Tartaric acids (grapes). | | | | |