By the time you hit your mid-30’s there’s a good chance that you’ve already begun to see the signs of sun damage, stress and yes, even aging on your skin. This can present itself in a number of ways, such as thinning skin and wrinkles, but one of the most common skincare issues is discoloration of the skin- also called hyperpigmentation.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation occurs when your skin produces extra melanin- the brown pigment that produces skin color- resulting in dark spots or uneven skin tones. While it is typically harmless and in fact, quite common, the causes are plentiful, including: excessive sun exposure, genetics, hormone imbalances, acne, and scarring, all of which result in various degrees of hyperpigmentation. Additionally, it’s important to note that hyperpigmentation effects both men and women of all skin types and tones.
Understanding the Different Types of Hyperpigmentation:
Age Spots: Also known as liver or sun spots, this type of discoloration happens often with those that frequent tanning beds or spend a lot of time outdoors without proper protection. With damage from the sun’s strong and harmful UV rays, you'll find age spots most commonly on the face, neck, chest, and hands.
Melasma: Known as "The Mask of Pregnancy", melanoma is caused by an imbalance in hormones during pregnancy, showing up as grey or light brown patches.
Moles: Formed by an acute cluster of pigment cells, moles are common and typically harmless for most people. However, if you begin to see moles that take on abnormal shapes, it's worth getting checked by your doctor for a type of skin cancer called melanoma.
Freckles: Contrary to popular belief that freckles are a direct result of sun exposure, this form of discoloration, in fact, results from recessive genes. That being said, while the freckles may technically be there from birth, it does require exposure to the sun to begin darkening.
Treating Hyperpigmentation:
Whether you're simply unhappy with the way it looks or you're concerned about it being a potential future problem, there are a number of ways to successfully treat hyperpigmentation. Through a consult with one of our experienced specialists, we can quickly determine the best route for achieving the look you want.
Possible options include having suspicious moles surgically removed or working to balance hormones through different medications, such as birth control for women. Going forward it's incredibly important to always remember to apply at least SPF30 when spending the day outdoors, remembering to cover up with hats, and even applying a daily moisturizer with SPF in it.
But what about the sun or age spots, right?
For that we highly recommend the innovative laser treatment, Halo. With this hybrid fractional laser, our team can quickly remove years of skin damage on your face, neck, chest, arms, back, hands and legs food good!
In as short as 30-60 minute treatments, Halo will help to even your skin tone while also reducing wrinkles and fine lines. With minimal discomfort and no downtime, Halo begins to yield lasting results within 5 days, with optimal results 3 weeks after.
If you are suffering from the embarrassment of unsightly liver spots, moles, acne or scars, don't hesitate to contact us for a FREE consult today. No matter what your skin needs are, our team is ready and excited to help bring it to fruition.
