Following some trauma to the skin, from burns, acne, psoriasis, or even some skin treatments, excessive pigment can from tin the skin, this is generally readily treatable.
Skin pigmentation treatments
Do you have pigmented areas on your skin that concern you? Pigment or Melanin can build up in our skin for a variety of reasons but it always mars our complexion. However, in this modern age, there is no need to live with those blemishes. With modern lasers, medical skin creams, derm-abrasion, chemical peels, and surgery there is a treatment to effectively remove virtually all pigment if you receive the right advice.
Do you have pigmented areas on your skin that concern you?
Pigment or Melanin can build up in our skin for a variety of reasons but it always mars our complexion. However, in this modern age, there is no need to live with those blemishes. With modern lasers, medical skin creams, derm-abrasion, chemical peels, and surgery there is a treatment to effectively remove virtually all pigment if you receive the right advice.
SUN SPOTS / AGED SPOTS
These are medically known as Lentigines, are found on 90% of pople over the age of 60, and are caused by exposure to UV rays.
MELASMA
Is caused by pregnancy thyroid dysfunction, as a side effect to taking birth control pills, hormone therapy. While often more difficult to treat, we have many options to consider.
POST-INFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION (PIH)
MELANOMA
A highly dangerous skin cancer formed from melanoncytes in our skin. Any newly developed pigmented area on your body should always be checked by our doctors, in order to seek early treatment which is so vital for the best outcome.
SEBORRHOERIC KERATOSIS
These are brown warty like raised unsightly lesions that occur commonly in older people. It’s important to distinguish these from melanomas. They are readily removed with lasers, but cryotherapy and surgery are sometimes used. Seborrhoeic keratosis are brown.
BIRTHMARKS AND ACQUIRED PIGMENTED LESIONS
Pigmented lesions can be present from birth, or appear in childhood or later adult life. Our expert medical team, can help diagnose these less common conditions. Café au lait spots, Congential Melanocytic Naevi, Hori’s Macules, or Naevi of Ota.
TREATMENT OPTIONS THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED WITH YOU:
- Laser treatments
- Skin Care products or Lightening Agents.
- Skin Peels
- Microdermabrasion
- Dermapen
- IPL
- Surgery
- Cryotherapy
- Prescription medicines
- How to limit your exposure to UV rays
- Review of medications and hormone treatments
Lasers and Medical Grade Lightening Skin Creams are the two commonest approaches in dealing with non-cancerous hyperpigmentation. Creams fade the pigmented area and are free of harmful effects, but the process takes longer. Laser treatments after a short post-treatment healing phase, can completely clear the pigment, which returns to normal skin after one week. The simple, effective and rapid results from our Medlite Q-Switched or MPX Elite Lasers will surprise and please.
TREATMENTS CAN OCCUR ON SKIN IN ANY REGION OF THE BODY.
Laser treatments are not without a slight risk of loss of pigmentation and scarring, but the choice of this treatment option depends upon the type of pigment, the choice of which laser, and the skill of the laser operator. Avail yourself of our skin consultation and rule out something sinister or discover what can be done with those unsightly blemishes you always wished weren’t there.
In order to understand how to treat a skin issue, the best way to begin is to understand the issue at hand. Through knowledge, we are able to identify what treatments would be beneficial or detrimental to the skin condition and what is the best path to take to diminish or eliminate the skin condition entirely. When it comes to skin pigmentation, a skin condition that strikes a vast majority of Australians, we should first get to know it a little better, understand the causes, the variations and lastly, how to treat it.
Here at Main Street Cosmetic and Skin, you are in qualified and experienced hands. Our team of doctors tailor treatment to you, knowing that everyone is unique and therefore, so should be their treatment. Throughout your consultation and thorough assessment, your doctor will devise a personalised treatment plan, allowing our highly skilled, trained professional team to conduct treatments that will be beneficial to you.
What is pigmentation?
Pigmentation by definition is the abnormal colouring of the skin. This can be due to a variety of factors including disease, sun damage and much more.
What causes pigmentation?
The cause of pigmentation is the abnormal production of melanin. Melanin is responsible for producing pigment in the skin, which makes the skin a particular colour. People with darker skin have more melanin present, while people with fairer skin have less, and so it goes. Melanin as a sole entity is never a problem. However, when your body starts to create an abnormal amount of melanin in particular areas, this can lead to pigmentation.
Types of pigmentation
There are two main types of pigmentation:
Hyperpigmentation – When the abnormal production of melanin results in darker areas of colour being created and evident on the skin.
Hypopigmentation – When the abnormal production of melanin results in lighter areas of colour being formed and evident on the skin.
What causes the abnormal production of melanin?
There are many different reasons why your skin produces an abnormal amount of melanin.
Some of the most common causes are:
Hormonal imbalances – such as puberty, menopause and pregnancy.
Certain diseases – Vitiligo can create light patches on the skin, whilst some autoimmune diseases can also affect skin pigment.
Certain medications – A typical example that can lead to skin pigmentation is the introduction of the contraceptive pill.
Sun exposure – The effects of the sun can lead to a melanin imbalance. We advise you to always apply a high-quality sunscreen with a high SPF
Genetic predisposition – The chances of skin pigmentation affecting you are increased substantially if your family has also been affected by skin pigmentation. An acute example of this would be Albinism.
How do I treat my skin pigmentation?
If you can recognise skin pigmentation or feel that it may be present, though are unsure, schedule an appointment with us here at Main Street Cosmetic & Skin. During your initial skin consultation, we can conduct a thorough assessment of your skin, confirm whether it is in fact skin pigmentation, and explain the best options for successful treatment. It is extremely important that a correct diagnosis be made, to ensure that appropriate treatment is given, allowing the best possible results to be achieved.
Treatment options range from the following:
Laser therapy – Certain types of pigmentation may respond well to laser therapy, such as sun spots. These spots may fade or completely disappear
Bleaching agents – Pigment such as melasma may respond well to lightening agents, though they may not totally disappear
Chemical peels – Superficial layers of pigmentation may be able to be removed with a skin peel treatment
IPL – Intense Pulsed Light therapy can achieve a similar result to laser therapy. It works by targeting the melanin below the skin’s surface
Assessment and reevaluation of your hormone treatments (e.g. the contraceptive pill), other prescription medication and exposure to UV rays
Avoidance of the sun, and the introduction of 50+ sunscreen. This will aid in the management of the pigmentation and allow the skin to take a well needed break from the harmful effects of UV rays
Our skilled and knowledgeable team of doctors and trained medical staff will assess your skin and provide unique advice for you and your individual situation. What works for Sally may not work for Harry. Therefore we treat each client like the individual they are.
Skin pigmentation is not limited to the facial skin, as pigmentation can occur anywhere on the body. The hands, neck and face are the most common, with 62% of Australian women listing skin pigmentation as a concern, according to the popular health magazine, ‘Body and Soul.’
All of the areas where skin pigmentation occurs can be treated with one of the two treatments listed above. If your pigmentation is raised somewhat, we will have one of our doctors examine your pigmentation to rule out any other causes.
To learn more about skin pigmentation or to schedule your skin consultation, call Main Street Cosmetic and Skin on 03 9739 3830. Our team of skin specialists are a wealth of knowledge and can help with a variety of skin issues. Better yet, your first skin consultation is complimentary!