What Is Pigmentation?
Pigmentation is primarily an aesthetic concern - a collective name for patches of darker pigment that form on the skin over the years through prolonged sun exposure, hormonal changes (such as pregnancy or the pill), and even as a memento of old blemishes or injuries. Pigmentation lends the skin an older appearance; it is conspicuous and often hard to conceal.
Our skin is home to cells called melanocytes, located between the skin's upper layer (the epidermis) and its middle layer (the dermis). Each time we are exposed to the sun, the melanocytes dispatch a pigment called melanin to the skin's surface. The melanin is sent to form a dark protective layer - in other words, a spot - to help the body defend itself against the sun.
It is now well established that prolonged sun exposure affects the skin over the long term: the sun's rays accelerate skin ageing, and uneven distribution of pigment creates pigmentation spots - appearing immediately, or sometimes only years later (up to some 30 years on).
Why Do Spots Surface Around Age 40?
When we are young, facial skin is firm, thick, and elastic. Melanin may already be unevenly distributed, but it is not always visible, because it sits in deeper layers. Around age 40 the skin becomes thinner and loses much of its firmness - and that is when the spots reveal themselves.
Facial Pigmentation - The Causes
The immediate suspect, of course, is the sun: UVA and UVB rays cause pigmentation. But that is not all - the list continues with hormonal imbalance, pregnancies, medication, infections, sensitivity to substances such as fragrances and skincare products, and, naturally, genetics.
How can you tell whether a spot is deep? Superficial pigment appears darker and more conspicuous, yet is easier to remove. Paler or muted-toned spots, by contrast, indicate pigment lodged in the skin's deeper layers - and those are more stubborn to brighten or remove. It is not an iron rule, but the older the spot, the harder it is to remove - and it is almost always still possible.
What Do Science and Technology Offer?
Creams and Acids
Acids have the ability to encourage skin-cell renewal: they lift away dead skin cells and cause the accumulated melanin - the pigmentation itself - to break down naturally. What matters most is matching each client, after diagnosis, with the treatment precisely suited to them.
IPL - Brightening Facial Spots
IPL is a beam of light similar to laser, but different in wavelength and intensity. The light's energy is delivered through the device, homes in on the pigment, darkens the melanin, and causes the spot to 'rise' to the surface - breaking it down. After treatment the spot temporarily darkens, then fades within a few days. The method suits sun spots and age spots. The treatment involves minimal discomfort, and numbing creams are available to ease it further. Full effectiveness requires a series of sessions, tailored to your skin's condition.