Human skin contains cells of melanocytes, they produce melanin, which gives skin color. Excess melanin leads to hyperpigmentation – these are freckles and age spots.
Dermatologist and expert Profile Professional Marina Devitskaya says that pigmentation can occur due to a genetic factor, excessive sun exposure (solarium, active tanning), hormonal changes in the body. Also among the factors:
– a consequence of diseases of the liver, kidneys and other organs;
– the consequence of injuries (injections, facial cleansing, plastic surgery);
– procedures that cause skin thinning (chemical peelings, laser resurfacing, dermabrasion);
– side effects of some medicines.
To remove pigmentation on the skin, it takes a lot of time, perseverance, patience, fulfillment of all appointments and recommendations from the doctor and the patient!
Also, knowing the type and depth of the pigment, the doctor will determine the correct course of treatment and select individual care for further prevention of their appearance and lightening.
There are three types of pigmentation.
Melasma
Melasma spots appear as small or larger, uneven brown spots on the forehead, cheeks, lower or upper jaw. They are caused by hormonal changes in the body. During pregnancy and lactation, the appearance of such spots is the norm! Also as a result of dysfunction of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, side effects from taking birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy during menopause.
This type of pigmentation is the most difficult to treat.
Lentigo
These are known as freckles and age spots. Occurs in 90% of older people. They arise under the influence of ultraviolet rays.
Post-inflammatory / post-traumatic pigmentation
It occurs as a result of skin injuries such as psoriasis, eczema, burns, acne and certain skin care treatments. These post-inflammatory pigments go through the process of skin repair and healing.
In order to find out what type of pigmentation, you need to go to a specialized clinic to see a dermatologist. But also, taking into account all the factors of the causes of pigmentation, you may need the help of other specialists, such as a gynecologist-endocrinologist and a gastroenterologist. They will help eliminate the internal causes of pigment formation!
Topical pigmentation treatments are the most commonly used and are the only FDA approved skin lightening treatments.
To eliminate age spots, acid-based exfoliating creams are used, in particular, fruit creams. Depending on the concentration, they are divided into home creams (acid concentration up to 1%) and professional cosmetic use, that is, gentle and intensive preparations.
Substances are used that reversibly inhibit the synthesis of melanin in melanocytes: tyrosinase enzyme inhibitors (arbutin, kojic acid), ascorbic acid derivatives (ascorbyl-2-magnesium phosphate), azelaic acid (inhibits the growth and activity of abnormal melanocytes), plant extracts: bearberry, parsley, licorice (licorice), mulberry, strawberry, cucumber, etc.
It is advisable to have not one component in the composition of the cosmetic product, but 2-3 from this list and in sufficient quantity in the composition of the cosmetic product so that the whitening effect is really high. This combination of ingredients is in the Biologique cosmeceutical line.
And if in the cabin?
Procedures that are aimed at renewing the skin (exfoliating) and subsequently removing pigmentation are chemical peels, resurfacing, ultrasonic peeling.
Chemical peels. To remove age spots, peels based on AHA acids (glycolic, mandelic, lactic acids), salicylic or trichloroacetic (TCA) acids, and retinoids are suitable. Different depths of impact and penetration allow for a variety of courses of procedures with different rehabilitation periods. Specialists in this case are always guided by the individual characteristics of the patient. Surface peelings are carried out in sets 6-10 times, once every 7-10 days. Median peeling is a course of 2-3 procedures, every 1-1,5 months. Recommendations of a specialist are required before, during and after the course of the procedures.
Hydro-vacuum peeling Hydrofacial (hardware cosmetology). It is used for the face, “blows away” dead skin cells, eliminating surface defects: age spots, deep impurities, acne, wrinkles, scars.
Skin resurfacing – a procedure for removing pigment spots by destroying epidermal cells with an excessive content of pigments due to their heating. When hyperpigmentation is combined with signs of photo- and chrono-aging, facial skin resurfacing (Fractor, Elos / Sublative) is used. In modern medicine, the method of fractional photothermolysis has gained wide popularity, in which the supply of laser radiation to the tissue is carried out by fractionation (distribution) into hundreds of microbeams that penetrate to a sufficiently large depth (up to 2000 microns). This effect allows you to reduce the energy load on the tissues, which, in turn, promotes rapid regeneration and avoids complications.
Placental mesotherapy courses Curacen. A cocktail is made or uses a ready-made one, but taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. The course of procedures is 6-8 procedures, every 7-10 days.
Bioreparation
Mesoxanthin (Meso-Xanthin F199) is a highly active drug, the main feature of which is the effect on the gene structure of cells and the ability to selectively enhance the activity of the necessary genes, can be used both individually and as part of a comprehensive rejuvenation program.
To prevent, prevent the development and formation of hyperpigmentation in people of any age and skin type, it is necessary to use sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight. Avoid UVA rays before and after peels, laser hair removal, plastic surgery, while taking hormonal contraceptives, antibacterial and other medicines, as well as during pregnancy.
It should be borne in mind that the tendency of the skin to hyperpigmentation is increased by some substances and cosmetics that increase the sensitivity of the skin to UV radiation (ultraviolet radiation) – photosensitizers (substances that become allergenic under the influence of UV radiation). Before the start of active sunny days and a course of procedures to remove age spots, you should consult with a specialist about all cosmetic preparations and medicines that you use in order to avoid complications.
Sunscreen line Biologique Recherche Are cosmetic products that contain substances that absorb or reflect UV radiation. They enable people with different skin phytotypes to stay in the sun for a certain time, which is calculated according to the formula, without harming their health.