Skin Concerns
Pigmentation & UV/Sun Damage
What is Pigmentation?
Pigmentation in the skin is mainly due to the amount of melanin present. There can be an increase or decrease in the amount of visible pigmentation due to many factors. For most of us it’s UV-damage that has caused most. Hormones also have a large role to play.
Where should I start?
A careful consultation including an Observ 520x skin scan with one of our team will help guide you on your first steps to improving your skin concern.
This can help differentiate between melasma, deep and superficial pigmentation, and this diagnosis is crucial in planning your treatment path.
Skincare Options:
Home skincare is always most important and will be key to improving your skin, as long as your products suit your skin and its current condition.
It’s easy to fall for marketing, bold social media claims & ‘magic’ cures, we’ve all been there. Refocusing your time, commitment and budget to what will most likely work over time is a good place to start.
The Fitzgerald Private Clinic team is here to guide you through the process, often changing only one or two products initially, and gradually advancing your routine as long as your skin is responding well.
Skincare routines don’t need to take hours, we find the simplest, easiest to follow regimes with the correct choice of results-driven products work best.
Common skincare recommendations for Pigmentation:
Often barrier repair with a gentle cleanser, simple moisturiser & sunscreen (ideally mineral-based) is required.
Daily sunscreen is paramount to help reduce further pigmentation.
Obagi Claribright or Calecim Pigment solution may benefit.
Over time we often introduce prescription retinoids, with or without prescription hydroquinone to calm pigment production. Acid exfoliants may also be added.
In-Clinic Treatment Options:
These are not ‘one size fits all’ treatments so you can discuss your goals, downtime preferences and what will suit your skin best at your consultation. Options will extend over time too as your skin health improves.
If melasma is outruled by far the most effective treatment with the quickest results is our powerful Lumecca Peak IPL.
We have specific pigmentation-treatment protocols for our SkinPen Medical Microneedling devices, and this is also a great treatment to improve skin quality overall. Adding polynucleotides & Dermalux to this in our FPC SkinTrinity treatment is a great option to work towards.
Oobagi’s Blue Peel Radiance is a non-invasive superficial but effective skin treatment that helps with rejuvenation & also pigmentation.
Injectable Options:
Injectable treatments are not for everyone, but it’s good to know what’s out there for potential future options.
Polynucleotides can help in some instances. All injectable treatments are an option but not specifically for the treatment of pigmentation.
Other Options & Advice:
If you are aware of all current treatment options available, either in our clinic or elsewhere, you can make the best-informed decisions about the pathway that best suits you. If we feel your particular concern may be better treated by other devices, medications, specialist opinions or surgical approaches we will be happy to let you know. We will always stand by our ethical medical aesthetic approach.
There are some types of laser that are safer for treatment of melasma, we can signpost you to these options if you need.