
Hyperpigmentation is one of the commonest skin concerns and will affect over 40% of us, usually starting in the 30s and 40s. Hyperpigmentation, also known as pigmentation, presents as visible marks on the skin, which tend to be a deeper tone or colour.
Dr Alek shares his professional expertise on what causes hyperpigmentation, how to prevent it and how to manage and treat dark marks.
To understand hyperpigmentation, let’s take a closer look at how the skin normally produces pigment or colour.
The main function of pigment in the skin is to provide a natural defence against the sun’s UV rays. It is vital for our skin’s health and is the reason we tan with sun or UV exposure.
In the skin are cells known as melanocytes whose primary function is to produce pigment that, in turn, determines our skin colour or tone. Very simply, without these pigment producing cells (melanocytes) everyone’s skins would be pale white with tinges of pink caused by the blood flow through capillaries and veins.
The main function of the pigment in our skins is to provide us with a natural defence against the sun’s UV rays. So, having pigment or melanin is a vital structure and necessity for our skin’s health.
People with albinism have little or no melanin, their skin appears white or pale pink and they are at great risk of UV damage, including skin cancer. Similarly, fair-skinned people produce very little melanin, whilst darker-skinned people produce more melanin.
Usually, melanin is fairly evenly distributed throughout the skin, but sometimes people have spots or patches of skin with more melanin. Examples include freckles, age spots (lentigines) and melasma.
Melanin or pigment is produced by specialised cells known as melanocytes which are scattered among the other skin cells in the top layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. After pigment or melanin is produced, it spreads into other nearby skin cells. A normal and natural response of melanin or pigment stimulation in the skin can be seen with some sun or UV exposure. This is the reason why we tan, and our skin’s tone can change from a lighter colour to a darker colour which in turn provides our skin with a natural protection from the sun.
The cascade of events that takes place during pigment formation is extremely complex and involves multiple processes and pathways.
“A scientist could spend a lifetime on the study of the melanocyte and not fully understand it.”
– Dr Pugliese.
However, the mainstay of melanin or pigment formation depends on an enzyme tyrosinase converting tyrosine to DOPA and DOPA into melanin. DOPA is an amino acid and is a precursor to pigmentation. Understanding this cycle, helps understand why certain treatments work, as they typically work on the enzyme tyrosinase.
There are numerous causes for hyperpigmentation but all relate to an over-stimulation of the production of pigment in the skin. When the pigment producing cells are over-stimulated there is excessive production of pigment which shows up as the darker marks or patches in the skin, or what is known as hyperpigmentation.
chemical exfoliation indicated for oily and/or acne skin:
sk.in pure contains salicylic acid and pineapple and papaya enzymes that all help in exfoliating the skin.
Salicylic acid causes an exfoliation of skin through loosening and detachment of corneocytes. Corneocytes are epidermal skin cells that make up the outermost part of the epidermis. The importance of this is that salicylic acid does not ‘burn’ or wound skin cells. Exfoliation is allowed simply by the breakup of cells from one another.
Salicylic acid is an excellent exfoliating-at-home chemical peel that will have a direct effect on fine lines and wrinkles, improve hyperpigmentation, soften and smooth the skin texture, prevent ageing skin changes, and increase collagen and elastin production without thinning the skin.
chemical exfoliation indicated for normal and/or combination skin:
The sk.in avenge | glyco-10 solution has been formulated with potent ingredients to target and repair the skin by acting as an at home chemical peel that requires no neutralisation.
its three primary goals are to:
Glycolic acid is an alphahydroxy acid that was originally derived from sugar cane and has become one of the most popular alphahydroxy acids (AHA) used in skincare products. Glycolic acid has a small molecular size which allows it to be easily absorbed through the skin and its primary action is to exfoliate the outer skin layer and to increase cell turnover. Glycolic acid has demonstrated excellent clinical efficacy in the treatment of superficial hyperpigmentation and mild-to-moderate intrinsic skin ageing and UV induced skin changes.
Salicylic acid is an excellent exfoliating-at-home chemical peel that will have a direct effect on fine lines and wrinkles, improve hyperpigmentation, soften and smooth the skin texture, prevent ageing skin changes, and increase collagen and elastin production without thinning the skin.
target and prevent recommendations
sk.in gloss is a daytime use high strength lipid soluble vitamin C serum that is specifically indicated for the use as an antioxidant, to treat hyperpigmentation, and provides skin brightening effects.
its primary goals are to:
sk.in bounce is sk.in’s flagship serum with a unique combination of both hydroxypinacolone retinoate 1% (vitamin A) and lipid soluble vitamin C 5% that provides a powerful antioxidant duo. Indicated specifically for treating and preventing ageing skin concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles, textured skin, sallow complexion and hyperpigmentation. No fuss, easy single serum application. It’s our flash, marvel and gloss in one.Its primary goals are to:
hyperpigmentation targeting super-serum:
sk.in avenge | HPR products contain high concentrations of hydroxypinacolone retinoate (granactive retinol) and are designed to deliver a potent treatment for the skin that should only be used once or twice weekly. Formulated for preventing ageing skin concerns and to counteract the signs of UV sun damage and intrinsic skin ageing.
its primary goals are to: