Skin Pigmentation

Antioxidants like vitamins A, B3 and C, as well as Alpha and Beta hydroxy acids work together to fade pigmentation, calm melanocyte (a cell in the epidermal layer of the skin that produces the dark brown or black pigment melanin) activity, stimulate collagen and boost the skins natural immunity.

Metacell Renewal B3 

Comprehensive daily emulsion to correct early symptoms of photoageing.

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Treating pigmentation isn’t just about fading what is on the surface. It is also about restoring health and balance to the skin. Your skincare regime must include an SPF sunscreen.

Advanced Broad Spectrum Sun Protection with a Universal Tint

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SkinCeuticals tinted sunscreen products offer a high level of broad spectrum UVA/UVB all-mineral protection with a universal tint suitable for most skin tones. Formulated with colour-infused technology to enhance natural skin tone and boost daily radiance.

Physical Eye UV Defence provides broad spectrum SPF 50 protection without migrating into and irritating the eyes. A unifying tint enhances skin tone while ceramides nourish, creating a smooth, concealer perfect on its own or prior to  makeup application.

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Phloretin CF 

Potent antioxidant provides advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and skin discoloration. Non oily.

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Some skin pigmentation is inevitable simply by being exposed to regular unprotected UV rays. Whether your pigmentation is sun induced or a result of hormonal activity (Melasma), genetics or trauma (squeezing spots etc) to the skin, it ages your appearance.
The skin consists of two main layers, the epidermis which is the upper layer and the dermis which is the lower layer. Within the lowest layer of the epidermis are cells called melanocytes, which are responsible for producing the pigment called melanin. This melanin production is what gives our skin it’s genetically predetermined colour and when over stimulated, can produce excess pigmentation.
Melasma is characterised by patchy brown discolouration of the skin, commonly seen on the cheeks, chin, forehead and upper lip in a symmetrical pattern. It primarily occurs in women but can also appear in men. While it can affect all racial and ethnic groups it is more common in darker skinned individuals. With Melasma, the melanocytes become over stimulated and over produce melanin in response to changes in oestrogen and progesterone levels. This melanin becomes trapped in the epidermis and may also extend to the dermis, making it difficult to treat. Pigmented cells then slowly migrate to the surface, making the pigmentation visible.  The most common cause is pregnancy or oral contraceptive use but it can occur for no apparent reason.

Air Pollution is another cause of skin ageing and pigmentation: According to a study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, chronic exposure to traffic-related air pollution can cause the appearance of dark spots. The findings of this study showed that exposure to nitrogen dioxide was significantly associated with more dark spots on the cheeks.This is  more visible in women above the age of 50.

http://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(16)00453-X/abstract

Retinol 0.3 contains 0.3% pure retinol and is enhanced with the latest stabilisation and delivery technologies to ensure the full dosage is slowly and evenly released. Designed to help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin discoloration.

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Skinceutical Advanced Pigment Corrector 

This multi-layer corrector can help reduce the appearance of stubborn skin discoloration and uneven skin tone to help boost skin’s natural radiance. 

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Read more

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/color-problems/melasma

Why does our Skin Age ?

Our skin ages as a result of sun, harsh weather, and bad habits. But we can take steps to help our skin stay supple and healthy-looking.

How your skin ages will depend on a variety of factors: your lifestyle, diet, heredity, and other personal habits. For instance, smoking can produce free radicals, once-healthy oxygen molecules that are now overactive and unstable. Free radicals damage cells, leading to, among other things, premature wrinkles.
There are other reasons.
 Primary factors contributing to wrinkled, spotted skin include normal aging, exposure to the sun (photo ageing) and pollution, and loss of subcutaneous support (fatty tissue between your skin and muscle). Other factors that contribute to ageing of the skin include stress, gravity, daily facial movement, obesity, and even the position we sleep in, avoid sleeping on your tummy.

As we grow older, changes like these naturally occur:

• Skin becomes rougher.
• Skin develops lesions such as benign tumours. Solar keratosis.

• Skin becomes slack. The loss of the elastic tissue (elastin) in the skin with age causes the skin to hang loosely.
• Skin becomes more transparent. This is caused by thinning of the epidermis (the surface layer of the skin).
• Skin becomes more fragile. This is caused by a flattening of the area where the epidermis and dermis (layer of skin under the epidermis) come together.
• Skin becomes more easily bruised. This is due to thinner blood vessel walls.
Changes below the skin also become evident as we age.
• Loss of fat below the skin in the cheeks, temples, chin, nose, and eye area may result in loosening skin, sunken eyes, and a skeletal appearance.
• Bone loss, mostly around the mouth and chin, may become evident after age 60 and cause puckering of the skin around the mouth.
• Cartilage loss in the nose causes drooping of the nasal tip and accentuation of the bony structures in the nose.

Sun and Your Skin

Exposure to sunlight is the single biggest culprit in skin ageing.

Over time, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light damages certain fibres in the skin called elastin. The breakdown of elastin fibres causes the skin to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to snap back after stretching. The skin also bruises and tears more easily and takes longer to heal. So while sun damage may not show when you're young, it will later in life.
Nothing can completely undo sun damage, although the skin can sometimes repair itself. So, it's never too late to begin protecting yourself from sun exposure and skin cancer. You can delay changes associated with ageing by staying out of the sun, covering up, wearing a hat, and making a habit of using sunscreen.
Gravity, facial movement, and sleep positions are the secondary factors that contribute to changes in the skin. When the skin loses its elasticity, gravity causes drooping of the eyebrows and eyelids, looseness and fullness under the cheeks and jaw (jowls and double chin), etc.

Facial movement lines become more visible after the skin starts losing its elasticity (usually as people reach their 30’s and 40’s). Lines may appear horizontally on the forehead, vertically on the skin above the root of the nose, or as small curved lines on the temples, upper cheeks, and around the mouth.
Sleep creases result from the way the head is positioned on the pillow and may become more visible after the skin starts losing its elasticity. Sleep creases are commonly located on the side of the forehead, starting above the eyebrows to the hairline near the temples, as well as on the middle of the cheeks. Sleeping on your back may improve these sleep creases or prevent them from becoming worse.
Smokers tend to have more wrinkles than non-smokers of the same age, complexion, and history of sun exposure.
Dry skin and itching is common in later life. About 85% of older people develop dry skin because overheated indoor air is dry. The loss of oil glands as we age may also worsen dry skin. Anything that further dries the skin (such as overuse of soaps or hot baths and showers) will make the problem worse. Coconut oil as a body oil, Omega 3 Fish oils as an internal supplement will help to ease dry skin. Drink plenty fresh water.

Use SkinCeutical Triple Lipid Restore

• Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is an anti aging cream formulated with a maximized concentration of lipids: 2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids. This unique anti aging lipid correction cream contains the first 2:4:2 cholesterol-dominant ratio to help restore skin's external barrier and support natural self-repair, while potently nourishing aging skin for improvement in visible signs of accelerated ageing. Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 has been clinically proven to improve the visible appearance of skin smoothness, laxity, pores, and overall radiance. Lipids are natural compounds found in skin. While there are many kinds of lipids, ceramides, natural cholesterol, and fatty acids are the predominant forms. With age, lipid production declines, impacting barrier function and natural self-repair. As a consequence, accelerated visible signs of ageing appear such as skin roughness, uncomfortable tightness, dullness, and loss of facial fullness.
• Restores essential skin lipids: ceramides, natural cholesterol, and fatty acids
• Improves the look of skin fullness, texture, and pore appearance
• Improves the appearance of skin evenness and overall radiance
• Provides improved hydration in 24 hours, ideal for dry skin
• Unique stabilization system in a lightweight and fast-absorbing texture

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Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is characterised by a darkening of an area of skin caused by the overproduction of a pigment in the skin known as melanin. It is relatively common and usually harmless, but for cosmetic reasons, it is a nuisance to those who have it.

Hyper-pigmentation is the result of either of two occurrences: (1) an abnormally high concentration of melanocytes produce melanin or (2) when melanocytes are hyperactive. For instance, sun exposure stimulates the production of melanin.

The following are examples of hyper-pigmentation

• Lentigo/Lentigenes – Lentigo simply means one freckle; lentigenes are multiple freckles.
• Solar Lentigenes – widely known as ‘sun spots,’ ‘age spots’ and ‘liver spots,’ solar lentigenes are freckles caused by sun exposure.
• Melasma – Often known as the ‘pregnancy mask,’ melasma is caused by hormonal changes due to pregnancy and is characterized by splotchy, pigmented areas usually on the face

There are various causes of hyper-pigmentation, including

• Overexposure to the sun
• Heredity
• Picking at the skin
• Hormonal changes
• Certain medications such as antibiotics, hormone treatments, and anti-seizure drugs
• Inflammation and skin injuries such as acne vulgaris

What you MUST do to protect yourself

• Avoid excessive sun exposure; try wearing a sun-hat whenever you are in the sun.
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, with minimum SPF of 30 – 50.
• Reapply the sunscreen every three hours if you are out in the open.
• Follow a strict night care regime and use a cream containing acids such as Vitamin A.

Winter is the perfect time to address skin conditions such a hyperpigmentation. We are here to assist you in the process of preventing, correcting and protecting your skin.

Sun Damage & Sun Protection

The sun is the source of energy that sustains life, but accumulated exposure without proper protection has negative consequences. The sun is responsible for the vast majority of visible ageing, according to new research – another reason to slather on the sun screen all year round.
The three main types of rays that damage our skin are UVA, UVB, and infrared rays, all of which have the ability to penetrate skin and cause damage to cells and DNA. On the surface, this damage manifests as fine lines, wrinkles, laxity, and discoloration, but the most dangerous consequence beneath the surface is the risk of skin cancer rays accounted for 80 % of skin ageing, including wrinkles, in a study of almost 300 women – half sun-worshippers and half shy of the sun. The study also found that a two % increase in skin damage ages a face by three years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=O1VnRLmTppU

To adequately shield skin from the sun, sunscreen needs to be a part of every daily routine. Options include physical UV-reflecting ingredients, chemical UV-absorbing ingredients, or a combination of both, but the most important thing to look for on a label is the term "broad spectrum". This indicates full coverage from the entire spectrum of UVA and UVB radiation, whereas SPF only measures the length of time one is protected from the UVB rays responsible for sunburn.

This picture shows a long distance truck driver’s face - the side exposed to excessive sun-damage is aged and lined by comparison to the other side. 

Research has shown that sunscreen alone does not provide adequate protection from environmental damage. A key finding shows that the average consumer does not apply enough sunscreen, therefore only obtaining up to half the protection stated on the bottle. Second, sunscreens only block 55%* of the free radicals generated by UV exposure. Finally, UV filters do not provide protection from damaging infrared radiation. For broad range protection against all sources of environmental skin insults, it’s imperative to use a topical antioxidant in conjunction with a daily sunscreen. SkinCeuticals offers eight antioxidant products that have been clinically proven to provide optimal protection from the damage caused by UV rays and other environmental factors.

Repeated exposure to too much sun over a number of years can cause damage to skin. The effects of sun damage include premature skin ageing and wrinkling

* Haywood, R., et al, J Invest Dermatol 2006;121:862-868