Pigmentation Unfiltered

Pigmentation Unfiltered
Pigmentation isn’t a flaw it’s a skin response and understanding it is the first step to treating it properly

What is pigmentation?
The word pigmentation is used to describe blemishes and discolouration on the skin that is caused by damage to your skin’s pigment producing cells. These cells are called melanocytes.

Why does pigmentation happen?
Whenever we step out into the sun, our skin cells uses melanin to protect themselves. Our skin senses UV radiation and sends a message to the pituitary gland in our brain to release an enzyme called tyrosinase. This tyrosinase acts like a key which unlocks our melanocytes, allowing them to send out melanin to all our skin cells, protecting them from UV radiation like little sun hats. The more melanin we produce, the darker our skin will become.
When these melanocytes become damaged, they can begin to leak melanin which leads to blemishes on the skin such as freckles and sun spots (hyperpigmentation), and in some cases our melanocytes can become so damaged that they stop producing melanin completely and cause blemishes that have no pigment at all (hypopigmentation). Melanocytes can often become damaged by unprotected exposure to UV rays however other factors such as medications and even our own hormones have the ability to cause damage to our melanocytes. Depending on how the pigmentation is presenting, we can decipher whether it may be hormone or UV driven.

Where does pigmentation happen?
Pigmentation can happen all over the body but we mostly treat pigmentation on the face and décolletage.

How do we treat it?
Treating pigmentation can be a tricky process but with the right tools we have the ability to improve the look of existing pigmentation and also help to prevent any further pigmentation.
No matter whether your pigmentation is caused by hormones or sun damage, unprotected UV exposure will always make it worse so protecting yourself from the sun is our number one priority! If we are doing all we can to stop pigment worsening, then we are able to concentrate on treating what we see.

Here are some examples of possible treatments and ingredients we may discuss with you as we create your individual treatment plan

SPF
 It goes without saying that SPF is ESSENTIAL for pigmentation concerns!

Skin Needling
Skin needling can be used to help improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, break down pigmentation and stimulate new cell growth.

IPL
This light based treatment works to eliminate pigment caused by sun damage sitting in the upper layers of the skin. Clients should note that IPL for pigmentation should be done in the winter months and is not appropriate for hormonal pigmentation.

Vitamin A
This powerful vitamin is the only one that can repair DNA damage in a cell and is essential when it comes to fighting pigmentation

Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
Niacinamde interferes with the pigmentation process by blocking the transfer of melanin from our melanocytes to our skin cells (melanosome transfer inhibitor. This makes it an essential ingredient for battling pigmentation

Tyrosinase Inhibitors
Some of the products we use have the ability block the tyrosinase key from unlocking our melanocyte therefore slowing the release of melanin. Lactic acid, vitamin c, and Kakadu plum are just some of the tyrosinase inhibitors we love to use when treating pigmentation

Antioxidants
Not only can we feed our skin cells antioxidants through our skincare products but also in our diet. Antioxidants play a vital role in protecting our skin from damage caused by UV exposure. Foods such as berries and leafy green vegetables are very rich in antioxidants.

Barrier loving oils
Supporting the skin barrier will always be a part of any treatment plan at Talking Beauty. Your products may include oils such as jojoba, kiwifruit, carrot seed, and rice bran to help ensure that your skin barrier is always kept happy and healthy.

Pigmentation isn’t one size fits all and neither is the solution. Skin tone, triggers, lifestyle and history all matter.  That’s why we tailor every treatment plan to the individual client ensuring results are not only more effective, but safer and longer lasting