The most common types of pigment issues:
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurs from skin injury following acne, burns, insect bites, psoriasis, friction (includes shaving), wounds, etc. Affected skin turns darker tan, brown, black or purple which brings about the term hyperpigmentation (more color). This type of response to injury or inflammation is most common in darker (melanin-rich) skin types as melanocytes are easily triggered into producing more melanin at the site of the trauma.
As skin regenerates, PIH fades. The regeneration process slows down when skin is damaged and as we age. PIH generally responds well to a variety treatments and products to speed the regeneration process.
Treatment options include eliminating or controlling the causes, Chemical Peels, Secret RF, AFT/IPL, SkinPen, Laser Genesis, Excel V, PRX-T33 Intense Skin Revival
Product requirements include retinoids or azelaic acid, hydroquinone or other skin brighteners/pigment suppressants (kojic acid, arbutin, licorice root, tranexamic acid, niacinamide, etc.), antioxidants, sunscreen.
Read more about PIH on our BLOG.
Lentigines (Sun Spots/Age Spots/Freckles)
Lentigines (aka. sun spots, age spots, liver spots, freckles) result from UV exposure. These “spots” are not caused by age, they simply are sun damage. Treating lentigines requires great compliance, persistence and patience.
Treatment options may include Chemical Peels, SkinPen, AFT, ClearLift, Cryotherapy, Excel V, Secret RF, PRX-T33 Intense Skin Revival
Product requirements include retinoids or azelaic acid, hydroquinone or other skin brighteners/pigment suppressants/tyrosinase inhibitors (kojic acid, arbutin, licorice root, tranexamic acid, niacinamide, etc.), antioxidants, sunscreen.
Read more about age spots on our BLOG.
Melasma
Melasma (aka. pregnancy mask) is a complex skin disorder. Typically, hormonally induced and triggered by light, heat and sun exposure, melasma manifests on skin’s surface as patches or islands of brown or grayish pigment. Melasma can be treated, controlled and cleared; however, it cannot be “cured.”
Treatment options include Chemical Peels, SkinPen, DiamondGlow, Laser Genesis, PRX-T33 Intense Skin Revival, topical medications.*
Product requirements include Retinoids, Hydroquinone, other pigment suppressants/tyrosinase inhibitors, or topical prescription medications, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN!
*Because melasma is triggered by heat and light, any pulsed light treatment such as IPL, photofacials, AFT, and most lasers are not appropriate treatment options for this skin condition.
Read our BLOG for continued information on melasma.
