One phrase that’s certainly worth familiarising yourself with if you’re interested in skincare and want to make sure that you’re giving your skin all it needs day by day, taking into account all the changes it will go through over time, is skin pigmentation.
This term refers to the colour of your skin, which is determined by the amount of melanin you have in your skin. Melanin itself is a pigment that is made up of melanocytes, responsible for the colour of your hair, skin and eyes. It also helps to absorb harmful UV rays, protecting your cells from sun damage.
Changes in your melanin production can see pigment disorders develop, including the likes of hyperpigmentation (characterised by dark spots), hypopigmentation (light spots) and depigmentation (white patches or spots).
Changes in melanin production can be down to a range of different causes, everything from hormones and age to genetics or other external factors, such as sun exposure.
Pregnancy, for example, can lead to melasma, where hormonal changes lead to the development of brown patches on the skin. Other potential causes of melanin imbalances include insect bites, eczema, infections, acne, exposure to chemicals and so on.
Treatment for skin pigmentation issues will largely depend on what’s causing the problem in the first place. Depending on the type of skin discolouration you have, you may be able to resolve the issue with self-care, time and over-the-counter treatments.
However, it may be necessary to turn to other procedures and you may be advised to consider the likes of light and laser therapy, chemical peels, cryotherapy and dermabrasion to help you with your skin problems.
Here at Sarah M Aesthetics, we offer treatments for age spots (also known as sunspots, lentigos, liver spots or lentigines). Our pigmentation treatment works by targeting the pigment particles in the skin, which makes it easier for the body to absorb them and reduce the overall appearance of the spots.
The treatment itself takes between 15 and 30 minutes, and you may find that you need to come back for a couple of procedures in order to see the effects. Over time, you should see your age spots fade significantly or disappear completely.
It is important to note, however, that neither melasma or chloasma can be treated using this particular procedure.
Additionally, if you notice that a patch of skin or any of your moles start to change colour, shape or texture, or do not fade, then you may want to consider making a doctor’s appointment so you can get your skin checked over, just to be on the safe side.
If you’d like to find out more about the treatments available at Sarah M Aesthetics, get in touch with the team today.