Skinformation: Pigmentation

To tan is to age. One of the most damaging and ageing things you can do is tan or burn.

Areas or patches of the skin that are darker than your original colour are considered hyperpigmentation. This is commonly seen in the skin as sun spots, freckles, melasma, or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (caused post trauma or injury to the skin). In addition to pigment of the skin, sallowness, dullness, and lack of radiance can be seen in skin that does not have adequate ‘food’ for the skin through skincare and various tools in the box.

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (acne scarring for example), sun spots, melasma, and brightening of radiance to the skin are among the most common forms of pigmentation or colour concerns that we see in clinic. It’s critical to understand the process of melanogensis to understand how to target, reduce, and correct this in the skin; this is where we come in.

Sunspots are a form of sun damage or hormonal stimulation that has resulted in over production of pigment. It is always advised, (especially with the high rate of skin cancer in New Zealand), that you have regular mole checkups with a skin specialist annually. This should always be a part of your treatment plan and not just treatments or skincare products to topically address pigmentation. We cover this in our consultations too, so please make a head start if you don’t already get checked!

Pigment can be successfully treated (or reduced) with the right treatment plan and care. Not only this, but lifestyle, environment, medication, and incorrect skincare can be a catalyst for lack of radiance and brightness in the skin as well as pigmentation.

Book a consultation to discuss and address your hyperpigmentation concerns, today.

Treating pigmentation

Here are some quick pointers about how to treat pigmentation and where to start. Ultimately, book a consultation with one of our team and learn about your skin.

  • Your skin journey begins with an in-depth skin consultation and skin analysis. We need to determine factors, triggers, medical history, current skincare, and a background history to determine a treatment plan to assist you to skin health.

    At MiSkin, we are serious about skin, your well-being and results. We do this through education and care.

  • Depending on the type of pigmentation, sun spots or severity of hormonally influenced pigmentation, there may be a combination of treatment modalities and therapies used. Upon assessment of your skin we can determine this with you.

    To start, we may recommend you see a skin cancer specialist or doctor to assess any sun spots or unusual pigmentation. We will also need to get you on pigment inhibiting ingredients and active skincare.

    In addition to this, a customised clinical facial will be performed and maintenance being the key.

    From here, we can cusotmise treatments with chemical peels and look at more advanced treatments such as micro-needling to address any post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and encourage radiance.

  • A tailored medical grade skincare routine is essential. We want effective ingredients that are going to address cell processes at the core, not on the surface. Medical grade skincare achieves this.

    Vitamins A, B3, and C are critical to addressing and preventing pigmentation. Kojic acid and tranexamic acid are also very effective.

    Be mindful of many companies claiming to be cosmeceutical due to having one or two ingredients at a high concentrate. However, it’s critical you are using high-quality medical grade skincare that has clinical data and research behind it, otherwise it’s unfounded.