Your Guide to Hyperpigmentation and Melasma

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition that is common and normally harmless.

What does hyperpigmentation look like? It presents as darker patches of skin and it happens when there is an excess of melanin.

What is hyperpigmentation on face? If you have naturally darker skin then you’re already more susceptible to hyperpigmentation – or patches of darker skin that usually appear on your face.

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
• damage to the skin
• ageing
  

How to Treat Hyperpigmentation

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

If the hyperpigmentation on your face is bothering you, the first option to consider 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

You will need to be patient though – 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 treatment at Este.

For hyperpigmentation we recommend the Cosmelan Peel. It is an amazing treatment that really delivers results – just check out our before and after pics to see.

Skin pigmentation issues are some of the most notoriously difficult conditions to treat, and we often get asked, ‘is hyperpigmentation permanent?’ Whilst we can’t guarantee that results you will see with our Cosmelan Peel will last forever, we are absolutely certain you will see a dramatic improvement to your hyperpigmentation.

We have years of experience at Este and our team of aesthetic specialists are experts at what they do – and that’s why we’re able to deliver such outstanding results with the Cosmelan Peel.

We are often asked ‘is melasma and hyperpigmentation the same thing?’ The answer we give is while they may look similar in certain cases, it’s all down to the reasons behind these conditions that make them both different. Read on to discover why...

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 is a result of hormonal changes inside your body. It is often caused ‘the mask of pregnancy’ as due to hormonal changes, many pregnant women develop melasma. 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, however, you are experiencing melasma during pregnancy you may find that it gradually fades once you’ve given birth and your hormones return to normal. If your melasma is not down to pregnancy, however, you may need to look at treatments to try and alleviate its appearance and severity.

Whilst melasma can be upsetting, it isn’t dangerous. 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 who will be able to advise and diagnose your skin condition.

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

• Hydroquinone creams
• Corticosteroid creams
• Salicylic acid cleanser

However, one of the most effective treatments for melasma or any skin pigmentation issue for that matter 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.

A Final Word

One more thing before you go - whether you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation or melasma, it is vital to look after your skin. Avoid picking it scars, spots, or bites, and do your best to avoid overexposure to the sun. Aim to wear a sun cream with SPF 50+ protection all year round to help ensure your skin is protected.

With a little help on your part and some TLC from professional skincare experts at Este, it’s definitely possible to see an improvement in your skin pigmentation concerns and get the even complexion you crave.