Pigmentation

Changes in the skin’s pigment occur as result of an abnormal production and deposition of melanin by the melanocytes. Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells. The number of melanocytes present in our skin will determine our skin colour.

Excess pigmentation can be triggered by a number of factors including UV exposure, hormonal changes, skin trauma, or genetic predisposition.

Sun exposure

Many people believe that tanned skin is healthy skin. In actual fact, tanned skin is damaged skin. The ultraviolet radiation (UV) in sunlight penetrates the deepest layers of skin, and harms the cells. The body responds by forming pigment to protect itself, but damage is easily done, and may be permanent. The more exposure you have to the sun, the more likely you are to develop skin cancer later in life.

UV radiation leads to many skin problems including sunburn, age spots, wrinkles, dehydration, pigmentation, freckles and allergic rashes. Most importantly, overexposure to the sun is the major cause of skin cancer, including melanoma.

Hormonal changes

Hormonal pigmentation or ‘Melasma’ usually occurs during times of hormonal fluctuations associated with pregnancy, oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. For some, the condition fades after childbirth, hormone therapy or discontinuation of oral contraceptives. For many it does not and it can prove to be very difficult to successfully remove.

Birthmarks and Trauma to the skin

This type of pigmentation can be a result of physical trauma to the skin, for example through an undesired side effect from chemical peels or laser treatment, or through acne. This is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Skin pigmentation can also be present at birth (birthmarks), appear in childhood, or adulthood.

Medical grade skincare

Elixxir serums contain what is known as active ingredients. These are organic substances that show therapeutic and measurable differences to the skin.

• Enlighten: Anti pigmentation Serum
• Vitamin B formulation: Potent skin immune protection and pigment stabilization
• Stem Formulation: Growth factor serums to improve and restore all aspects of skin ageing and damage
• Alchemy: Skin restoration and DNA repair serum

Optimised Pulsed Light

Using the principle of selective photothermolysis. These optimal wavelengths of light clear vascular and pigmented lesions all over the body by targeting the chromophores of hemoglobin (for vascular lesions) and melanin (for pigmented lesions).

The damaged lesions are then cleared by the body. Pigmented lesions undergo a mild desquamation and slough off within two or three days, while the vascular lesions blanch and then resolve within 10 to 14 days.

Fractionated skin resurfacing

Fractional skin resurfacing with Palomar Icon uses laser energy microbeams to create areas of affected tissue that extends through the epidermis into the dermis. The body’s natural healing process creates new, healthy tissue to replace the areas of affected tissue, resulting in healthier, younger-looking skin.

Our team of highly trained nurses and aestheticians under the direction of Dr Michael Miroshnik combine the latest medical grade products and technology to help you address your aesthetic concerns. We are results driven and strive to ensure every patient leaves our clinic, educated, refreshed and confident.