Dermalogic Advice for Uneven Pigmentation

» What is pigmentation?
» How do I prevent unbalanced pigmentation?
» What are my treatment options?
» What results can I expect from treatment?

» Dermalogica hyperpigmentation treatment and prevention products

what is pigmentation?

The pigmentation of one’s skin is the result of millions of years of evolution, which explains the wide range of skin tones we see in every day life. People with origins close to the Equator, where the sun is the most intense, had to develop protection against dangerous UV rays. The result? An increase in the production of melanin, a natural skin and hair colourant that absorbs up to 25% more UV radiation than that of a light-skinned counterpart.

how do I prevent unbalanced pigmentation?

Pigmentation disorders are caused by a myriad of factors, which include sun damage, hormonal imbalance, and skin trauma or disease. Of all these causes, sun damage is both the most common, and the most easily prevented! Simply applying a sunscreen with a minimum SPF15 every day, and avoiding peak sun times around midday, will do  a lot to prevent the sun damage that can make your skins pigment act up. Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF30 provides optimum daily sun protection.

Hormonal imbalance, a cause of pigmentation mostly affecting women, can occur during any time that the body’s natural hormone balance is disturbed. These triggers can include hormonal changes, such as those that happen during the menstrual cycle, menopause, prolonged stress, pregnancy or even when taking birth control pills. Unlike pigmentation related to trauma or sun damage, hormonally-induced hyperpigmentation generally disappears when balance is restored to the body, and it can be treated during the interim period with topical skin brighteners.

The pigmentation related to skin trauma (cuts, wounds, scrapes and the like) is difficult to prevent in the cases of accidental damage to the skin. Picking at acne lesions is also, of course, a big no-no, and will only exacerbate the pigmentation associated with the wound healing.

what are my treatment options?

When it comes to hyperpigmentation (when pigment-producing cells are damaged and produce too much color), there are two possible treatment approaches – chemical and botanical.

Hemical lighteners, predominantly those containing Hydroquinone, are recognized as effective skin lighteners. However, Hydroquinone, are recognized as effective skin lighteners. However, Hydroquinone has been linked with many negative side effects and can cause severe skin allergies and worsening of the pigmentation condition. (This is why Hydroquinone is now actually banned in much of Asia and Africa).

Botanical skin brighteners are a much safer approach for brightening the skin, and are as effective when used consistently in a professional brightening regimen. Brightening agents to look for include Licorice, Bearberry, Rice, Kiwi and Mulberry, coupled with Lactic Acid and Vitamin C. Your skin care therapist will be able to prescribe the regimen best for you, but it will most likely begin with a professional series of Skin Brightening treatments. These highly-active treatments include a professional-only exfoliation to smooth away the unevenly pigmented skin cells, followed by the application of a powerful botanical serum.

Of course, your at-home regimen is also vitally important. After cleansing in the morning, use Dermalogica Day Bright SPF15, which contains optical illuminators, and will help protect your skin from further sun damage while actually helping to combat melanin production at the cellular level. At night after cleansing. Use Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant®, a Rice-based powder that smoothes and brightens the skin. Then apply Night Bright®, which penetrates deep into the skin and delivers a potent dose of eleven botanical brighteners to regulate melanin production.

what results can I expect from treatment?

How much you can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation depends largely on what is causing the problem, as well as how deeply into the skin the pigmentation extends.

Generally speaking, most people see results within 8-10 weeks of beginning a treatment program. Keep in mind, however, that all sun exposure must be avoided during this time – even one unprotected day in the sun can reverse all positive treatment results.

Dermalogica hyperpigmentation treatment and prevention products:

daylight defense system
Dermalogica Solar Defense System offers the choice of two sunscreen technologies: chemical-based formulations that protect against UV rays by absorbing them, and a physical sunscreen that actually rejects damaging rays. Choose from our eight solar defense products.

daily microfoliant®
This unique, rice-based enzyme powder microfoliates dulling debris and instantly leaves the skin noticeably smoother and brighter. The Skin Brightening Complex helps balance uneven skin pigmentation, while the active agents derived from Rice Bran and Rice Extracts help to regulate melanin production and microfoliate dead cells.

gentle cream exfoliant
Ten minutes will leave you with dramatically-improved skin smoothness. A multi-part complex of Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sulfur and fruit enzymes detach dead skin debris and promote cell renewal for a smooth complexion.

pure light spf30
Brightens, illuminates and protects skin during the day. In addition to the Skin Brightening Complex and Vitamin C, Day Bright SPF15 contains optical illuminators to create a transparent, luminous effect for healthy, glowing skin. An SPF15 protects against further UV-induced hyperpigmentation, helping to protect treatment results.

pure night
An intensive night treatment with a maximum-strength dose of our Skin Brightening Complex combined with Vitamin C and Lactic Acid (two additional ingredients that also help control melanin formation). This concentrated gel brightens skin and evens out pigmentation caused by sun exposure, age spots and hormonal imbalance.

recommended professional treatment

• Skin Brightening Treatment