Many people have problems with the coloration of their skin, and we are often asked at D. Thomas Clinic how to help those affected fix their pigmentation problems for brighter, more even-toned skin.
Some people are a lot more prone to developing pigmentation problems than others. One study published in the National Institutes of Health reports that around 1% of the population have these issues, but the prevalence can be up to 50% in certain at-risk groups.
The pigmentation of your skin refers to the original color and tone. Pigmentation is determined entirely by the amount (and type) of melanin in your skin, which is produced by cells in your body. Problems with pigmentation happen when your body produces an uneven amount of melanin. We have talked about some pigmentation issues like vitiligo in the past. However, there are a lot of other pigmentation issues to be aware of.
Here are some of the tips to help prevent or treat issues with pigmentation of the skin…
Protect your skin from the sun
Last summer, we talked about some very important reasons to make sun protection a priority. Protecting against pigmentation issues is one of the big reasons.
When your skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, it triggers the production of melanin within your skin, especially when the sun is dominantly shone on one part of your face over the other.
There are a multitude of different approaches you can take to protect your skin against the sun and keep melanin production stable:
- Sunscreen – You probably already know that sunscreen negates a lot of damage done to your skin, but did you know that broad-spectrum sunscreen does it better? Whilst most sunscreen protects against UVB rays that are responsible for sunburn and skin cancer, but also UVA rays that cause skin ageing and, of course, pigmentation overload. You should apply it every two hours, perhaps sooner if you’ve come into contact with water. It is also a good idea to have an SBF of at least 46.
- Protective Apparel – People mostly complain about uneven pigmentation on the face, and there are clothing options that can prevent the sun from negatively affecting the face. Sunglasses, of course, protect the eyes and the area surrounding them, and hats, specifically wide-brimmed hats, protect the face from damage.
- Reflective Surfaces – UV rays don’t need to travel directly from the sun to your skin, it can also be reflected off of surfaces, such as glass, water, sand and even snow. As a result, you should always be mindful when in environments where the sun is present.
Target the affected areas
Areas of your skin with pigmentation issues can be targeted with specific remedies. Some of these are:
- Vitamin C: This vitamin inhibits melanin production and protects the skin against damage from the environment.
- Niacinamide: This is a form of vitamin B3, which inhibits the travel of Melatonin rather than its production.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids: These acids are exfoliants which help shed dead skin cells and renew them, helping fade pigmentation on your skin.
- Kojic Acid: This acid is derived from Fungi, and has a natural skin-lightening agent that inhibits pigmentation production.
- Retinoids: Retinoid is a derivative of vitamin A, and improves skin texture whilst inhibiting melanin production – however the power of retinoids vary between over-the-counter meds and prescriptions.
- Azelaic Acid: This is an acid often used for its anti-inflammatory properties, but like a couple of other treatments in this list, is highly effective in inhibiting melanin production.
Live healthily
A healthy lifestyle is perhaps the biggest contributing factor to how nice your skin will naturally look. Making the following changes to your life will result in optimal skin function:
- Balanced Nutrition: Several minerals, vitamins and antioxidants promote skin function by protecting it from damage, inflammation and oxidative stress – each of which contributes to pigmentation issues. As a result, you should vary your palate by seeking foods high in vitamins C and E, and carotenoids. These are often found in fruits and veg.
- Frequent Hydration: The average adult is recommended to intake at least 3 litres of water throughout the day, and this is due to the massive range of health benefits that water gives your body. Amongst them is the promotion of skin health, including both elasticity and detoxification. Hydrated skin also resists inflammation and staves off the hyperpigmentation that usually follows.
- Physical Activity: Aerobic exercise increases heart rate, which thereby increases blood circulation. One of the blood’s main functions is to deliver nutrients and oxygen to different parts of your body, and that includes your skin. Faster, more frequent nutrient delivery means your skin functions more optimally for longer. Exercise is tiring and leaves you with less energy in the short term, but more in the long term, and is great for killing stress.
Invest in Professional Treatments
Here at D Thomas Clinic, we are passionate about promoting our clients’ skin health to the best of our ability. However, everyone has different circumstances that need to be taken into account, and as such, we highly recommend booking a consultation with us.
Nonetheless, there have been professional clinical treatments that are proven to be effective in combating pigmentation problems, such as our Laser Treatments.
Debbie Thomas herself says: “Treatments like our IPL, AdvaTx, Byonik, Dermaceutic Mela Peel and Radiofrequency Microneedling are among our top picks for targeting pigmentation at a deeper level to provide more effective results. Book for a consultation so that we can determine which treatment is right for your skin needs and goals.”
Be Patient
The ultimate tip to helping your skin’s pigmentation equalize is to be patient. Like all things with your body, change takes time and can only be done in increments. As a result, you must be patient, and ensure that you begin small. Make the changes, keep making the changes, and adjust entirely to what you’re comfortable with. Staying close to your comfort zone is the best way to ensure consistency.
