Have you been wondering if you have sun damage or melasma? What’s the difference? And how can you treat these conditions?
First thing first. Let’s clarify what hyperpigmentation is?
Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition where the skin is discoloured due to any one of these reasons;
– sun damage
– post acne scarring
– inflammation post eczema or other inflammatory skin conditions.
Sun light, skin rashes and acne have the ability to stimulate pigment cells in the skin. Resulting in the access pigment to splash on to the lower levels of your skin. The deeper this pigment goes the harder it’ll be to treat. A great example is sun exposure. While you expose your skin to sun light without protection, the damaged pigment cells will leak pigment into the deeper layers of your skin. As a result your treatment can take longer. And will require more effort to be successful.
Treatments for sun-damage
- Laser photofacial skin rejuvenation improves skin tone and texture. The treatment has minimal downtime. It’s suitable for a range of conditions including sun damage, wide and localised areas of discolouration. And last but not least ageing skin.
- Laser pigmentation removal is a targeted laser treatment. It’s designed to remove superficial and deeper pigmentation. As well as sun damaged areas on the face, forehead, shoulders and arms.
- Skin peels or resurfacers help to improve skin texture. They’re suitable for a range of conditions. These conditions include pigmentation . In addition they’re available in different strengths with different downtimes according to your skin condition.
In your consultation, we may discuss combining two or more of these procedures in a treatment plan. Consequently to help maximize results.
Do you have sun damage or melasma? How is melasma different?
Melasma on the other hand is a form of hyperpigmentation that’s triggered by UV light and hormonal changes ( most commonly pregnancy). Melasma mainly affects women and appears most commonly on the forehead, chin and top lip. Because sun exposure can bring it more to the surface many patients confuse melasma with sun damage.
Melasma is triggered by hormonal changes. As a result it’s more difficult to treat. And while you’re trying to treat it and prevent it from getting worse you also have to consider the internal triggering factors. And address these separately. While some patients see great results from their treatment, for others it’s the matter of preventing their discolouration from getting worse.
Melasma has a very characteristic appearance. For example it presents in blotchy pigmented patches on the forehand, cheeks, chin or above the top lip.
Treatments for melasma
What works for one patient doesn’t necessarily work for another. For this reason there is no set number of treatments to treat melasma. Our experience of treating melasma patients reflects that a combination of sunscreen, brightening ingredients, and chemical peels work well.
Are you still wondering if you have sun damage or melasma?
To learn more about your skin and the type of pigmentation you may have, why not visit us at our Oxford Street clinic, in Central London? My Expert team will start with a thorough assessment of your skin.
How to book an appointment?
As the first step of your skin journey at Skin Perfection, you will be invited to attend a no obligations consultation. This will give you the opportunity to get a good understanding of your skin.
Following your assessment your practitioner will recommend you a personalised treatment plan. During your first meeting you’ll receive all the information and knowledge you’ll need to keep your skin healthy.
Contact our team today to book an appointment.
