Pigmentation/ hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition where some areas or patches of the skin become darker in colour. It is usually a harmless condition caused by an over-production of the pigment, melanin, on the surface of the skin.

The condition affects all different skin types and races.

Different types of pigmentation:



Melasma:
 A skin condition presenting as brown patches on the faces of adults. This usually occurs in women, with only 10% of men being affected. Often women taking the contraceptive pill or with an IUD experience this. It becomes more prominent with sun exposure and in the summer months.

Chloasma:
 Some women overproduce melanin during and and develop chloasma (the mask of pregnancy) on their faces and occasionally on their abdomen.

Solar Lentigines: (Sun Damage)
Age spots, sometimes called liver spots, develop on the skin following damage from the sun rays. They are usually found on the hands and face or other areas exposed to the sun.

Freckles
: Are a common and hereditary skin blemish which some people seek to reduce.

PIH
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs following trauma to the skin. It commonly occurs after acne spots, lesions or aggressive skin treatments or wrong use of products.

Ultimate Skin Clinic offer a free skin assessment to determine the cause of your pigmentation and can advise the appropriate course of treatment.

The consultation will be carried out in complete confidence and your dedicated specialist will answer any questions or concerns you may have. A personal skin care programme will then be devised to suit your requirements.



Treatment options available:

  • Laser IPL
  • Skin resurfacers/peels
  • LED light therapy
  • Home care solutions

FAQs

Q: How can pigmentation be treated?

A: Non-invasive and safe, a course of MPL (Multiple Pulsed Light) combined with radio frequency, can dramatically reduce pigmentation on the face, neck, hands, back and chest, and is suitable for men and women. Or the use of skin lightening products and professional skin resurfacing treatments maybe an option or the totally pain free option of LED light therapy is also available.

Q: How does MPL work?

A: The light energy from the MPL system is absorbed by the pigmentation in the freckles, sun spots or liver spots. When the pigmented area absorbs the light and is heated, the pigment is then broken down and removed by the normal process of cell renewal. The pigmented area turns darker and may crust over following treatment. Over the course of a few days to a couple of weeks the area will gradually flake away leaving little or no trace.

Q: Will I need time off work for this treatment?

A: There is no downtime for any of the treatments on offer. In some cases there may be slight redness but this usually disappears after a few hours. There can also be some itching for a short period.



Q: How many treatments will I need?

A: The number of treatments depends on the size of the area and how long it has been present. Your specialist will advise on this during initial consultation. Treatments are spaced every 4-6 weeks and usually 3-6 are required.
Ask your specialist for discounted rates for booking a course.