Posts Tagged ‘Pregnancy pigmentation’

• At last a solution for hormonal pigmentation…

  Date: 2010.08.17 | Category: Body And Beauty Treatment Tips | Response: 0

  

  Hormonal Pigmentation , also known as Melasma, is a considerable problem for most women, especially for those living in sunny South Africa. It is a chronic skin condition that occurs on the face in the form of brown patches and is a dynamic (active) condition that needs lifelong management. According to research, hormonal pigmentation has a considerable impact on how one feels about oneself with many women feeling embarrassed, frustrated and even depressed if the pigmentation becomes chronic and does not fade with time or resolve after considerable topical treatments.

   

   

  What causes Hormonal Pigmentation ?                                                                                                                               

  • UVA rays are a stimulant for melanin (brown pigmentation) to develop on the skin and unfortunately can even penetrate through car window glass.

  • Any change in hormonal status with higher levels of oestrogen is thought to trigger and aggravate the condition (ie. birth control pills and pregnancy). Discontinuing the use of contraceptives rarely clears the pigmentation and it may last for many years after discontinuation.

  • After pregnancy hormonal pigmentation usually clears within a few months of delivery but may persist indefinitely.

  • However many women without these risk factors also develop hormonal pigmentation.

  • Any activities that cause intense heat to the face (from steam showers, hot closed environments, sitting on the beach even under cover and with full sun protection, etc) causes inflammation which is a powerful stimulator of melanin.

  • It is more prevalent in darker-complexioned individuals though persons of any race can be affected due to the intense sun exposure in South Africa.

  • Hormonal pigmentation is seen most frequently in young women but can even be seen in men.

  Where does hormonal pigmentation appear?

  • Hormonal pigmentation can occur on any part of the face but usually appears with a symmetrical pattern on the forehead, cheeks and jawline. On rare occasions, it can even occur on the forearms. How can one prevent hormonal pigmentation from forming?

  To prevent hormonal pigmentation one should:

  • Avoid sun exposure and wear a protective hat when outdoors for extended periods to further block these rays.

  • Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ to block the UVA rays every day

   What are the different types of hormonal pigmentation and how are they treated?

  The different types of pigmentation can be identified by observing the affected area under a Wood’s lamp.

  • Epidermal hormonal pigmentation is the most common form and is treated with topical therapy together with a combination of superficial or full epidermal chemical peels or pulsed light treatments such as IPL.

  • If the pigmentation has leached into the dermis, this isknown as dermal hormonal pigmentation. The deeper the pigment is and the more difficult it is to treat. Dermal hormonal pigmentation is best treated with mid dermal combination peels such as a RegimA Peels or a Q switched laser which can penetrate into the dermis to reach the pigment together with topical therapy.

  FOR MORE ON PIGMENTATION CONTACT US ON:

  011.327.4490

  info@somabodytherapy.co.za

  www.somabodytherapy.co.za

• Struggeling to get rid of Pigmentation – how RegimA can help!

  Date: 2010.07.27 | Category: Body And Beauty Treatment Tips | Response: 0

  

  Pigmentation?

  Pigmentation affects so many people for a variety of reasons. If the cause can be established and eliminated (eg. Pregnancy, the Pill or dehydrating alcohol based cosmetic products stopped) then one has a chance of removing the problem. Skins prone to pigmentation must be extremely careful when considering certain treatments such as laser or certain deep peels. These can exacerbate an already distressing problem. (One must accept the advice of a doctor specializing in laser therapy, with regards lasering or deep peeling of a pigmented skin).

  The New Age ‘Peel & Heal’ (See under Peel & Heal section for full details), because of the unique formulation, has proven to be safe and effective for the treatment of pigmentation in combination with our home care essentials.

  The problem of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can affect anyone.  This can occur, especially if not treated correctly, post laser, dermabrasion, trauma.  We at RegimA have dealt extensively with this problem on behalf of the plastic surgeons with in-salon ‘Peel & Heal’ treatments and home care products.

  The RegimA New Age ‘Peel & Heal’ has for years been renowned for the safe and successful treatment of pigmentation with leading plastic surgeons and salon professionals.  This is an in-rooms and in-salon treatment.  The treatment of pigmentation must not be aggressive if one is to eliminate and prevent further recurrence.  A series of ‘Peel & Heal’ treatments is recommended.  These treatments are maintained with RegimA home care.  RegimA ‘Peel & Heal’ safely and effectively helps eliminate pigmentation in all age groups, even the very young, all skin types, even very sensitive, black, white, Asian, male and female.

  The safest, most effective treatment of pigmentation is Vitamin C.  However, Vitamin C comes in many forms, the most potent being L-Ascorbic Acid.

  L – Ascorbic Acid (Vit C)  -   Treatment of Hyperpigmentation & Anti-Ageing

  The only truly beneficial form of Vitamin C which has the ability to act on the dermis (true, living skin) is L-Ascorbic.  Other vitamin C derivatives may be found as vitamin C ester, ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate etc.  The derivatives are easier to stabilize so they are the ones generally to be found in over the counter cosmetic products.  However, they are unable to work any deeper than the epidermis (outer horny, dead layer).  Studies have shown that derivatives with a neutral or more alkaline pH are not absorbed.  Research shows that in studies comparing L-Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Palmitate, the latter was ineffective in comparison.  For any of these derivatives to have any impact on the skin they would have to be in extremely high concentrations to have a similar potency.  If ascorbyl palmitate is used within a topical cream it would have to be in excess of 20% concentration to be effective in the deeper layers.   Manufacturers have, in certain cases, substituted vitamin C derivatives, esters in an attempt to solve the problem of product stability.  In order for any of these compounds to work they must penetrate the skin and then be chemically converted by the skin cells into L-Ascorbic Acid.

  Scientific studies show that for vitamin C to be beneficial to the skin it MUST be in the form of L-Ascorbic Acid as it is the only form the body can recognize.  It must be in this active form and MUST be at a low, acid pH (acidic) to achieve skin penetration as the skin is an excellent barrier protecting against outside substances entering the body. In this way higher levels of ascorbic acid can be targeted directly to the skin by topical application, that cannot be achieved by diet.   L-Ascorbic acid is the only form of vitamin C that can be utilized by the body and provides photoprotection, prevents UV immunosuppression, a reaction which occurs in more than 90% of skin cancer patients.  Studies have shown that Vitamin C is the only antioxidant proven to stimulate collagen synthesis.  Collagen is the main protein of skin and continued synthesis is essential to maintain a healthy skin as collagen decreases with age and sun damage. This is achieved by neutralizing reactive oxygen free-radicals, the highly reactive molecules produced when sunlight interacts with cell membranes and other skin tissue.  It is therefore an aid to sunscreens. Once topical L-Ascorbic  has penetrated the skin it cannot be washed off and the effectiveness is not reduced by perspiration and has been found to stay in the skin for upto 72 hours.  We read about the reservoir effect.  This means that L-Ascorbic Acid applied topically to the skin (essentially at the perfect low pH level) remains active within the skin for 3 days.

  L-Ascorbic is a powerful antioxidant, protecting the skin against, and reducing, harmful effects caused by UVA and UVB rays. It is capable of controlling the inflammatory response associated with ultraviolet light (helping to prevent sunburn) as well as being protective when applied after sun exposure.  It speeds  up the healing process.  Topical application of L-Ascorbic Acid is helpful in speeding the healing process.  It is recommended as a post-operative regimen for laser resurfacing patients.   RégimA uses high percentages within the Pre and Post Laser treatment regime.  It is known for its action on melanocytes and helps prevent hyperpigmentation, sometimes associated with laser treatment.  This form of vitamin C has been shown to decrease the degree and duration of post CO2 laser erythema (reddening).  It has also been seen to have an impact on stretch marks.

  A major reason for RégimA using L-Ascorbic Acid is the fact it has been proven to be effective not only as a preventative, but also as a  treatment of hyperpigmentation.  Clinically it has a therapeutic effect and has been used extensively in trials for the treatment of pigmentation anomalies, due to the action of effecting reversion of the process of forming melanin.  It has a ‘bleaching” effect on the skin.  Clinical studies show that vitamin C ester may also help with superficial chloasma (pigmentation) which is epidermal.

  We believe at RegimA we have created the ULTIMATE Vitamin C products.  We have for a number of years used L-Ascorbic Acid for the prevention and treatment of hyperpigmentation with outstanding results without any side effects on all skin colours and skin types  -  RégimA C-Innovation Pigment Perfector and Serum C+ Facial Firmer + Pigment Perfector.

  Our technology allows a marriage of potency as never seen before. L-Ascorbic working on rejuvenation plus reduction in pigmentation penetrating to the deeper basal layer, Vitamin C Ester working on the outer epidermis.  To treat pigmentation one would apply the vitamin C product to the affected area twice daily with a RegimA SPF product over the top am and pm a RegimA AHA night product over the top.  One should continue RegimA maintenance to prevent pigmentation recurrence.

  ‘Peel & Heal’ treatments containing citric acid, an AHA and BHA, accelerate the process of pigmentation elimination.

  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON REGIM-A:

  011.327.4490

  info@somabodytherapy.co.za

  www.somabodytherapy.co.za