Your Guide to Hyperpigmentation and Melasma

What is Hyperpigmentation?

A common and normally harmless skin condition that affects both men and women at any age. 

‍What does hyperpigmentation look like? It presents as darker patches of skin or dark spots when there is an excess of melanin, a natural substance in your skin that gives it colour. 

‍What is hyperpigmentation on the face? If you have naturally darker skin, then you could be more susceptible to hyperpigmentation, patches of darker skin that usually appear on the face.

Skin tones vary widely, with darker skin tones having more melanin, which makes them more prone to darkening in the sun and hyperpigmentation. Individuals with darker skin are also more likely to develop under-eye circles and darkness around the mouth. Overall, deeper skin tones tend to exhibit more pigmentation.

‍What Causes Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation occurs when your body produces an increased amount of melanin. This can happen due to a number of reasons, but some of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation include:

• Overexposure to the sun and UV light
• Damage to the skin
• Ageing
• Hormonal changes 

‍How to Treat Hyperpigmentation

If you’re wondering how to lighten skin hyperpigmentation, there are a number of options you can try.

If the hyperpigmentation on your face is bothering you, one option is an off-the-shelf product. There are many available, but you should look for products containing ingredients such as: 

• Licorice Root
• Vitamin C
• Kojic Acid
• Alpha Arbutin
• Glycolic Acid

When it comes to drugstore skincare for pigmentation, you need to be patient – results can take around eight to 12 weeks to start showing. If you’ve already tried over-the-counter treatments for hyperpigmentation, and you’re not getting the results you want, then consider a specialist in-clinic treatment from Este Medical Group.

For hyperpigmentation, we recommend having Cosmelan Peel treatments. This depigmentation peel is an effective and proven treatment that really delivers results.

At Este UK, we have the experience successfully treating skin tone concerns and our team of skincare specialists are experts at what they do – and that’s why we’re able to deliver such outstanding results with the cosmelan peel treatments in the UK. 

‍Look at our Este UK Cosmelan Peel Before and After Results! 

Here are skin tone concerns that a cosmelan peel can effectively target:

• Sunspots: Dark areas of skin caused by too much sun exposure. 
• Age Spots: Also known as liver spots, these are flat dark areas on skin. 
• Uneven Skin Tone: Generalised discolouration or blotchiness of the skin.
• Sun Freckles: Small spots on the skin typically caused by UV light exposure.
• Acne Hyperpigmentation: Dark spots left behind after pimples and spots heal.
• Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Darkened spots or patches that develop after skin inflammation caused by acne or sometimes skin injury.

Whether you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation or melasma, it is vital to take good care of your skin. Avoid picking at spots or scars, and try to prevent overexposure to the sun. Make sure to wear sunscreen with SPF 50+ protection year round to help ensure your skin stays protected. 

If you want to brighten your complexion and address skin pigmentation concerns caused by spots and dark patches, book a free Este UK pigmentation consultation now!  

‍What is Melasma?

Like hyperpigmentation, melasma is also a skin condition that shows as darker patches of skin – usually on the face. Melasma often looks like freckle-type spots or marks, and can have a brown or sometimes bluey-grey appearance.

‍What Causes Melasma?

Melasma, often referred to as the ‘mask of pregnancy,’ is a type of hyperpigmentation commonly experienced by pregnant women and new mothers. These dark patches or freckle-like spots typically appear on the cheeks, upper lip, forehead, neck, chest, and arms. While melasma isn't harmful, it can be bothersome for some, affecting confidence during an already transformative time.

However, it isn’t just pregnant women who can experience melasma – fluctuating hormones outside of pregnancy can also cause it to appear.

‍How to Treat Melasma

As melasma is caused by fluctuations in hormones it can be a difficult condition to keep at bay permanently.

If you're experiencing melasma during pregnancy, you may find that it gradually fades after childbirth as your hormones return to normal. However, if your melasma is not related to pregnancy, you might need to explore treatments to alleviate its appearance and severity.

‍Can melasma cause skin cancer? No it can’t. Although, if you’re concerned about changes in your skin it is always best to see a dermatologist or a skincare expert at Este Medical who will be able to diagnose your skin condition and make treatment recommendations for treating skin pigmentation concerns like melasma. 

Once you’re sure that you’re dealing with melasma, you could try treatments to improve its appearance. Look out for the following: 

• Hydroquinone creams
• Corticosteroid creams
• Salicylic acid cleanser

However, one of the most effective treatments for melasma and most other skin pigmentation issues is the Cosmelan Peel. It’s the world’s foremost treatment for skin depigmentation. It works by targeting the cells that give your skin its pigmentation and then prevents the production of melanin within them.

This in turn delivers skin that is lighter and brighter with a more even tone. We have achieved incredible results with the Cosmelan Peel at Este and have countless happy clients! 

‍Find The Best Treatment for Hyperpigmentation and Melasma 

The good news is, dark spots, uneven skin tone, melasma, and other types of hyperpigmentation are not permanent. They can be effectively treated.

The Cosmelan Peel's skin-safe azelaic acid helps correct melasma, acne-damaged skin, and rosacea by destroying bacteria and reducing inflammation, promoting new skin cell production. Kojic acid inhibits melanin production and has antimicrobial and natural exfoliating properties. This popular and safe skin brightening treatment effectively lightens visible skin pigmentation, age spots, and acne scars.

With a little help on your part and some TLC from the professional skincare experts at Este, it’s definitely possible to see a massive improvement in your skin pigmentation concerns and get the glowing skin you want at Este UK!