Skin Series: Pigmentation

Skin Series: Pigmentation

Understanding Pigmentation

Pigmentation is one of the top searches on the net and when it comes to skin concerns of hyperpigmentation, post inflammatory pigmentation, melasma or hypopigmentation, the pigmentation pathway is a complicated process.

Pigmentation disorders occur when there is a change of melanin being produced within the skin. Post inflammatory pigmentation may be the result from injury or irritation - think post acne lesions.

Targeting pigmentation can be challenging, and professional treatments may help accelerate your results. However, always seek specialised skin advice from a dermal clinician to find out what will work best for you and your skin concern.

What Does it Look Like?

What Causes It?

Professional Treatments

  • Dark patches or uneven tone

  • Freckles or sunspots

  • Red or brown marks left behind after breakouts

  • Lighter areas of skin 

 

 

 

 

  • Sun damage and over exposure to UV

  • Hormones (e.g., Pregnancy)

  • Medication

  • Vitamin deficiencies

  • Inflammation

  • Ageing

 

  • Skin needling

  • Pro peels

  • Laser

  • LED

 

 

 

 

 

What Does It Look Like?

  • Dark patches or uneven tone

  • Freckles or sunspots

  • Red or brown marks left behind after breakouts

  • Lighter areas of skin 

What Causes It?

  • Sun damage and over exposure to UV

  • Hormones (e.g., Pregnancy)

  • Medication

  • Vitamin deficiencies

  • Inflammation

  • Ageing

Professional Treatments

  • Skin needling

  • Pro peels

  • Laser

  • LED

Treating Pigmentation

Pigmentation changes caused by trigger factors may be difficult to treat. The first step is to identify the trigger, then introduce a focussed regime that includes plant actives to inhibit increased melanin to brighten and even the complexion.

SPF should always be included in an everyday skincare regime but must be highlighted particularly with any skin concerns of hyperpigmentation.

Weekly exfoliation will also help to slough off dead dulling pigmented skin cells and encourage cell regeneration from the deeper layers of the epidermis.

What is Melanogenesis?

The process of producing melanin is called melanogenesis.

To break it down, the journey begins with our melanocyte cell in the basal layer of the epidermis. In basic terms, these cells synthesise melanin, a natural pigment responsible for our individual skin, eye and hair colour.

Importantly, pigment also acts as a defender to protect against UV. Put simply, melanin is injected via the long ‘tentacle type’ dendrites, above the nuclei of keratinocytes, to form a protective cap and carried to the skin surface.

The Role of Tyrosinase

One key enzyme that is activated to increase pigment is tyrosinase. This enzyme plays an important part as a catalyst and in the formation of melanin.

For example, in pregnancy there may be an increase of tyrosinase due to the rise of the hormone MSH - melanin stimulating hormone. This can result in the commonly noticed melasma or ‘the mask of pregnancy’.

UV exposure stimulates MSH too, which will also result in increased pigment.

Pigmentation & Ageing 

Interestingly, from around the age of 35, we will lose about 10% - 20% of functioning melanocytes every 10 years. This may result in our skin having a mottled appearance or even a loss of pigment in our skin.

Biologi Key Plant Actives For Pigmentation Concerns

1

Vitamin C, Egallic Acid:
Targets tyrosinase and helps protect against UV exposure. You can find this in our Bqk Radiance Serum and Bk Vitamin C Serum.

2

Chlorogenic Acid:
This aims to prevent pigment formation. You an find this in our Bqk Radiance Serum.

3

Tryptophan:
This encourages healing and can be found in our Bf Restore Serum Face & Body Serum.

4

Tartaric Acid:
This is a plant AHA to help with cellular regeneration and even skin tone. You can find this in our Bd Luminosity Serum.

5

Anthocyanin & Quercetin:
Bioflavonoids that aid in reducing redness and associated post pimple pigment. You can find this in our Bd Luminosity Serum.






Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459156/

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