Pigmented Lesions, Melasma, Age & Sun Spots
What is pigmentation of the skin?
Pigmentation (more correctly hyperpigmentation) is due to excess melanin production and deposition in the skin, causing uneven colour and freckles.
What are age spots?
Hyperpigmentation usually presents as age spots, uneven colour, freckles and sometimes melasma (mask of pregnancy). It is important to remember that age spots (lentigo singular and lentigines plural) are also sometimes incorrectly termed as liver spots but in fact they have nothing to do with the liver.
What causes hyperpigmentation?
The main cause is sun/solar damage or photo-ageing but pigmentation can also be aggravated by other factors, including hormones such as pregnancy or the contraceptive pill, certain medications, Vitamin B12 deficiency and also inflammation following trauma or troublesome acne lesions.
The two worst things you can do for hyperpigmentation is to engage in further tanning (whether outdoors or on a sun bed) and smoking because the burning toxins are then literally up close and personal to your face.
Is it common?
Yes, especially with increasing age and it occurs in all skin types but is generally more visible in fairer skins.
How can I reduce my risks of getting these pigmentation marks?
- Life-Style Changes: Give up smoking, reduce alcohol intake and exercise regularly to improve skin circulation and thus aid natural healing and repair with better clearance of toxins. Also, eat more healthily with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to increase your intake of vitamins and anti-oxidants.
- Proper Daily Skin Care is essential and should include :
- Exfoliants to slough off dead, pigmented skin cells and to expose fresh new skin;
- Moisturisers to properly hydrate your skin and to bring a youthful glow;
- Vitamin C and other antioxidants to neutralise ageing free radicals. We stock both Cosmedix and Obagi physician-strength Vitamin C skin products.
- Exfoliants to slough off dead, pigmented skin cells and to expose fresh new skin;
- Environmental Protection: We recommend daily use of use of high grade sun blocks such as the Cosmedix reflect, a full spectrum (UVA, UVB and UVC) SPF 30 sunscreen to help minimise future sun damage and pigmentation. Obagi provide SPF 15, 32 and 35 sun protection to cover a wide variety of needs.
How does IPL treat pigmentation problems?
It releases short pulses of filtered light which is readily absorbed by the high concentration of melanin found within pigmented lesions. This light energy heats the melanin, thereby destroying the melanin-rich cells.
How effective is it?
IPL is highly effective in treating age/liver spots, certain freckles and other photo damage skin irregularities.
Is it only for the face because my hands also look awful?
No, IPL can be used for all surface areas and the back of the hands is actually a commonly treated area.
How long does it take?
Each treatment session takes just 15-30 minutes depending upon the nature of the lesion and the precise surface area involved.
Does it hurt?
The treatment is uncomfortable with very short, hot pin prick sensations but not painful and thus anaesthesia is not required.
Are there any side-effects?
Some patients complain of slight soreness after IPL treatment but most experience no side-effects. We will apply a cooling pack and a soothing gel before you leave to minimise such discomfort.
There may be minor redness but this usually disappears over the next day or so. Sometimes the treated lesions appear darker after treatment and more obvious at first but gradually the marks will fade away. We can offer Jane Iredale mineral make up to safely camouflage these transient effects.
What about after-care?
We strongly recommend the daily use of proper sun protection as described above once successfully treated to reduce the risk of recurrent pigmentation spots.
Are there any alternatives?
- Medical Peels can significantly help by removing the superficial layers of your skin, thereby stimulating new growth. We recommend the Cosmedix timeless peel or the Obagi Blue Peel and both have produced great results for melasma.
- Microdermabrasion works by exfoliating away superficial pigmentation marks and thus stimulating the growth of new skin.
- Medical Agents:
- Hydroquinone such as the Obagi Nu-Derm system can help fade away brown pigments but will require regular use.
- 3% Diclofenac gel is available on prescription from your NHS GP to be used twice daily for 2-3 months to help with mild, superficial actinic/solar keratoses;
- 5% Fluorouracil cream used once daily for 3-4 weeks helps more severe actinic keratoses than Diclofenac gel but it produces a marked inflammatory reaction. Another such agent is 5% Imiquimod cream. Both are prescription-only drugs available via your own GP or NHS dermatologist.
- Hydroquinone such as the Obagi Nu-Derm system can help fade away brown pigments but will require regular use.
- Jane Irdedale Mineral Make-Up is ideal for those not yet ready for more definitive treatments as it provides a natural, light camouflage solution to conceal your pigmentation marks and is suitable for daily use, even in sensitive skin types. Their Disappear concealer with Green Tea extract can even hide the darkest of marks, whilst the Enlighten concealer can readily neutralise brown spots, leaving the skin with a smooth, blemish-free appearance.
What is the cost?
This is highly variable and dependent upon your skin type plus the size, location and nature of your pigmentation problems but, as a guide, for a localised area IPL treatment we charge from £70/session or £180 for a course of 3.
Please arrange a free consultation when we will undertake a professional assessment and give a more accurate guide on what you might need and the costs involved.
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