Skin Concerns
Pigmentation & Vitiligo
Expert assessment and treatment of hyperpigmentation and vitiligo at SkinLab, Birdwell — from IPL and Dermalux LED phototherapy to medical-grade skincare and microneedling with whitening mesotherapy.
Can't find an answer to your question? Reach us at hello@skin-lab.uk
What is hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is too much pigment (colour) which develops into small brown spots, often found on the face, arms and hands. It is sometimes referred to as freckles, age spots, pigment or sun spots.
Within our bodies we have skin cells called melanocytes. These cells produce a pigment (colour) called melanin, which is what allows our skin to tan. If the skin cells are becoming damaged by UV rays from the sun, and other things such as free radicals and pollution, this can cause the melanocyte cells to overproduce melanin in that area in an attempt to protect the skin from this damage. As a result, we are left with small brown spots which can be scattered across the face or arms. Freckles are a form of hyperpigmentation.
Can hyperpigmentation be treated?
Yes. There are many ways in which we can treat hyperpigmentation. Continue reading for more information.
Treatment
Treating hyperpigmentation with IPL
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a machine which emits specific wavelengths, at specific intervals, with specific amounts of power, producing heat. This actually targets the colour within the patches of hyperpigmented areas and breaks this up.
Immediately after, and for the first week or two, the pigmentation looks darker — but then over the coming few weeks it starts to break down and be reabsorbed by the body.
Important: there is a difference between hyperpigmentation and melasma. Melasma CANNOT be treated with IPL as it can make melasma worse. Therefore it is important you come and see us first for a medical opinion on your pigmentation.
Treatment
Treating hyperpigmentation with LED light therapy (phototherapy)
Phototherapy is the use of light in the treatment of a condition. Red and near infrared lights are well evidenced to improve pigmentation. Particular strengths of near infrared and red light therapy can improve pigmentation by stimulating cells through the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell). This can help them produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy source for all cells. By improving cellular energy, cells repair themselves more quickly, and can therefore help improve hyperpigmentation.
Please remember, it is particular strengths of wavelengths which have been well evidenced and researched which will cause improvements in the skin — NOT the cheap light masks which you can buy online. These are unlikely to have the correct wavelengths and also contain a multitude of other colours which have no evidence to support that they work.
At SkinLab we have 2 Dermalux LED phototherapy devices which are medically licensed and CE approved. These devices can be rented via our home rental scheme for a period of 2 weeks. It is recommended it is used daily for at least 2 weeks.
Treatment
Treating hyperpigmentation with medical grade skincare regimes
At SkinLab, we are stockists and prescribers of medical grade skincare such as ZO (a professional prescription-only range made by Dr Zein Obagi — a world renowned dermatologist) and EVENSWISS. We use both brands in clinic, and clients can purchase these to use at home too, after a medical assessment.
We have access to skincare ranges which contain ingredients that will help to destroy any pre-existing pigmentation and prevent future pigmentation developing.
Book a skin consultation online to find out more about which medical grade skincare regime is right for your skin.
Treatment
Treating hyperpigmentation with microneedling + mesotherapy
Microneedling is where we use a pen-style device with sterile single-use needles. These needles puncture the skin to create micro-channels into the skin's layers. The skin is firstly numbed to make the procedure much more tolerable.
The action of our bodies then healing these micro-channels releases a cascade of chemical changes, drastically increasing the amount of collagen, elastin and growth factors to this area of the skin. In turn, this improves lines and wrinkles and breaks up clogged pigment in the skin, allowing this to shed up and away from the skin's surface.
The pigmentation can be further treated with whitening mesotherapy. This is a cocktail of whitening agents, peptides and enzymes to help lift dark pigmentation and even the skin tone.
Microneedling with or without mesotherapy can be done on a monthly basis. It is recommended a course of 6 is completed with intermittent maintenance treatments as and when required.
This procedure can leave your skin with mild erythema and sometimes there is mild bleeding during the procedure. Skin can feel sore during cleansing for a few days after. Skin can also feel tight and dry a few days after the procedure and can sometimes flake.
Usually downtime is 1–7 days. This procedure is often very well tolerated and is very safe and effective.
What is hypopigmentation / vitiligo?
Hypopigmentation is not enough pigment (colour) in patches of the skin. These can be small or large pale patches. It is often referred to as vitiligo.
Can you treat hypopigmentation / vitiligo?
There is minimal which can be done for hypopigmentation, however there is some new emerging evidence that SkinPen Precision microneedling procedures can improve vitiligo by encouraging the melanocyte cells to behave more normally again and produce the pigment which gives our skin its colour. We do offer this treatment in our clinic.
Other methods of managing the condition include camouflage (painting of the skin) to try and hide these areas, along with use of a medical grade SPF.
Medical grade SPF is essential for both hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation — protecting the skin from UV damage supports all pigmentation treatments.
How to book
Concerned about pigmentation — whether dark spots or pale patches? Book a consultation with our Advanced Nurse Practitioners at SkinLab for expert assessment and a personalised treatment plan.