Pigmentation

Some skin pigmentation is inevitable in the harsh Australian climate. Whether your pigmentation is sun induced or is a result of hormonal activity (melasma/chloasma) it ages your appearance and often erodes your confidence. At Clear Complexions Clinics our nurses have the latest in cutting edge technology and medical grade skincare to remove this pigmentation and turn back the clock, giving you back your clear complexion and helping you to keep it. Our nurses understand this condition thoroughly and will help you achieve the healthiest, clearest skin possible.

Contact us for your consultation today and enjoy a more confident tomorrow.

What is pigmentation?

The skin consists of two main layers, the epidermis which is the upper layer and the dermis which is the lower layer. Within the lowest layer of the epidermis are cells called melanocytes which are responsible for producing the pigment called melanin. This melanin production is what gives our skin it’s genetically predetermined colour and what can be agitated to produce excess  pigmentation. Excess pigmentation can be triggered by a number of factors including UV exposure, trauma from an injury, hormonal activity, medical conditions or genetic predisposition.

To identify the best treatment for your specific type of pigmentation condition our nurses at Clear Complexions Clinics use state-of-the-art imaging software to look a few millimetres under your skin to assist in determining what skincare combinations and treatments will give you the best outcome.

Book your consultation here.

Sun damage and age spots

Despite their common name, age spots are due more to the sun than to ageing. These spots are also called sunspots, brown spots or liver spots and are flat, uneven dark patches on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, shoulders and other areas that may be regularly exposed to the sun.

Even though they’re usually harmless, these blotchy brownish patches can make you look and feel older than you really are. Intense Pulsed Light is a quick, simple and effective treatment with no downtime that helps fade the brown patches giving the skin a more even, ‘cleaner’  appearance within a few days. Usually only 2-3 treatments are required at 2-4 week intervals. Any area affected can be treated and these are most commonly the face, neck, decolletage, hands/arms and back.

Some pigment can be a little more stubborn or deeper in the skin in which case we  use The Fraxel ^® re:store Dual laser  with the added advantage of refinement of pores, improved skin texture and softening of fine lines and wrinkles! The Fraxel ^® re:store Dual laser is FDA approved to effectively treat age spots and other pigment irregularities  both on and off the face.

The Fraxel ^® re:store Dual laser treats a fraction of the skin at a time while leaving surrounding healthy skin intact, delivering remarkable improvement with minimal downtime. These treatments are used to deliver fantastic results. It is also important to formulate a maintenance plan with your nurse to prevent future damage and to preserve your great results.

Good sun protection is essential, sunscreens containing physical blockers such as zinc oxide (‘Face’ SPF 30+) and titanium dioxide are preferred over chemical blockers because of their broader UV-A  and UV-B protection and their ability to not only prevent burning but to also prevent the development of pigment. The use of mineral make-up (Inika, Rationale Beautiful Skin)  provides an added physical block and also contributes to stopping pigment formation. They also give good skin coverage, reduce the appearance of redness and lessen the chances of chemical skin irritation.

Skincare for sun damage:

• Rationale Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
• Rationale Retinaldehyde (Vitamin A)
• Rationale Rejuvenating Serum (Vitamin A, C and E)
• Rationale L-Ascorbic Acid Micronised Powder (100% Vitamin C)
• Rationale Skin Refining Serum (Alpha Hydroxy Acid & Beta Hydroxy Acid)
• Rationale Face SPF30+ moisturising sunscreen (20% Zinc Oxide)
• Mineral make-up

Book your consultation to reduce the signs of sun damage here.

Hormonal pigmentation (Melasma)

Melasma is a common pigmentation disorder that primarily occurs in women but can also occur in men. While it can affect all racial and ethnic groups it is more common in darker skinned individuals. The most common sites affected are the cheeks, the bridge of the nose, the forehead and the upper lip.

In melasma, the melanocytes become overstimulated and over produce melanin in response to changes in oestrogen and progesterone levels. This melanin becomes trapped in the epidermis and may also extend to the dermis, making it difficult to treat. Pigmented cells slowly migrate to the surface where they become visible. While the exact cause of melasma is not clear, usual factors include: genetic predisposition, sun exposure and oestrogen and progesterone exposure.

• Genetic predisposition – People with a family history of melasma are more likely to develop the condition themselves
• Oestrogen/progesterone exposure – A change in hormonal status may trigger melasma. It’s often associated with pregnancy and is called chloasma or the ‘mask of pregnancy’. The oral contraceptive pill (OCP), hormone implants and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may also cause melasma.
• UV light exposure – Sun exposure contributes significantly to melasma. UV light from the sun and even strong light from light bulbs can stimulate pigment-producing cells. As a result, conscientious sunscreen use  is essential.
• Medication (other than HRT and OCP) -Phenytoin (commonly known as Dilantin)is used as an anticonvulsant for people with epilepsy and is  believed to trigger melasma. Deficiency of Folic Acid during pregnancy can also lead to the development of melasma.
• Thyroid dysfunction – One study found a four-fold increase in thyroid disease in people with melasma.

In many cases, the Fraxel ^® re:store Dual Laser is used as the first step to fade as much pigment as possible. The Fraxel ^® re:store Dual laser treats a fraction of the skin at a time while leaving surrounding healthy skin intact, delivering remarkable improvement with minimal downtime. These treatments are used to deliver fantastic results. We then use Intense Pulsed Light and gentle procedure peels to maintain results, helping to fade surface pigmentation, turning over surface skin as well as keeping the skin glowing and refined!It is also important to formulate a maintenance plan with your nurse to prevent future melasma and to preserve your great results.

There is no cure for melasma and the treatments that have been developed can help achieve short term improvement. Melasma remains a chronic pigmentation skin condition requiring constant management and intervention.

A word of warning, there are many bleaching creams available to help treat the symptoms of melasma however there is a high recurrence rate and sometimes there is a worsening of the melasma after these creams are discontinued. Long term use can result in: skin irritation, phototoxic reactions and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHP) resulting in a rebound darkening of the skin. These creams should be used with caution and under the supervision of a nurse or doctor.

Again, good sun protection is essential and sunscreens containing physical blockers such as zinc oxide (‘Face’ SPF 30+) and titanium dioxide are preferred over chemical blockers because of their broader UV-A  and UV-B protection and their ability to not only prevent burning but to also to prevent the development of pigment. The use of mineral make-up (Inika, Rationale Beautiful Skin)  provides an added physical block and also contributes to stopping pigment formation. They also give good skin coverage, reduce the appearance of redness and lessen the chances of chemical skin  irritation.

Skincare for melasma:

• Rationale Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
• Rationale Retinaldehyde (Vitamin A)
• Rationale Rejuvenating Serum (Vitamin A, C and E)
• Rationale L–Ascorbic Acid Micronised Powder (100% Vitamin C)
• Rationale Skin Refining Serum (Alpha Hydroxy Acid & Beta Hydroxy Acid)
• Rationale Face SPF30+ moisturising sunscreen (20% zinc oxide)
• Mineral make-up

Book your consultation to reduce melasma here.

Pigmented scars (Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation)

Any irritation or trauma to the skin can cause an increase in pigmentation and this condition is usually found in darker skin types. This darkened pigmentation can create unwelcome dark marks on the skin. This is a condition called post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHP). Types of irritations can cause it include: acne, dermatitis, insect bites, psoriasis and trauma (i.e. burns, abrasions, surgery).

While PIHP most often occurs in women due to hormonal triggers and specific injuries, some cosmetics can also trigger an inflammatory action. The use of aftershaves, scented soaps, deodorant soaps and other toiletries followed by unprotected sun exposure can result in a phototoxic reaction. This is when ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by the chemical substance on the skin and can stimulate excess pigment production. In this case men can also exhibit darkened pigment in areas where these products have been used and can commonly be seen as dark patches on women’s necks where perfume may have been applied.

This type of pigmentation requires a very specialised approach to ensure that the pigment isn’t darkened further.  The Fraxel ^® re:store Dual Laser is often the first step to fade as much pigment as possible then we use selected corrective skincare to reduce irritation and further pigmentation.

Skincare for pigmented scars:

• Rationale Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
• Rationale Retinaldehyde (Vitamin A)
• Rationale Rejuvenating Serum (Vitamin A, C and E)
• Rationale L-Ascorbic Acid Micronised Powder (100% Vitamin C)
• Rationale Skin Refining Serum (Alpha Hydroxy Acid & Beta Hydroxy Acid)
• Rationale Face SPF30+ moisturising sunscreen (20% Zinc Oxide)
• Mineral make-up

Book your consultation here.

Dark circles under eyes (periorbital melanosis)

Periorbital melanosis presents as dark circles not just under the eyes but often around the eyes reaching to the upper eyelid. It is a poorly understood genetic condition that usually doesn’t appear until adulthood where it is believed to occur after triggering factors stimulate the abnormal production of excess pigment.

Triggers include puberty and pregnancy,  however it can be triggered by acute illness such as chicken pox, viral hepatitis, typhoid fever and some other unknown causes. As a result it is seen fairly equally between both men and women but occurs more often in darker skin types or those with a darker skin heritage.

Due to its underlying genetic foundation it needs to be treated very much like melasma, that is to reduce the pigment as much as possible using appropriate treatments and maintaining those results with a skin care regime focused to reduce the production and darkening of pigment.

For the  reduction of pigment in the eye area we  use the Fraxel ^® re:store Dual Laser with the added advantage of refinement of pores, improved skin texture and softening of fine lines and wrinkles!

Skincare for dark circles:

• Rationale Eye Specialist (Targets wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and dryness)
• Rationale Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
• Rationale Retinaldehyde (Vitamin A)
• Rationale Rejuvenating Serum (Vitamin A,C and E)
• Rationale L-Ascorbic Acid Micronised Powder (100% Vitamin C)
• Rationale Skin Refining Serum (Alpha Hydroxy Acid & Beta Hydroxy Acid)
• Rationale Face SPF30+ Moisturising Sunscreen (20% zinc oxide)
• Mineral make-up

 Contact us today to find out how to reduce dark circles under your eyes.