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Skin Renewal Doctors all have a broad knowledge, background and passion for aesthetic medicine. Please feel free to ask them your questions and concerns.

Conditions
Conditions

Melasma / Pigmentation In Dark Skin Types

People of colour are a very large group, which in South Africa includes people of African and Asian descent. It also includes patients of mixed backgrounds who have more darkly pigmented skin.
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Pigmentation in Dark Skin Types Treatment Videos

Darker skin types represent a significant and growing group of patients seeking aesthetic procedures. This is because of the increased awareness of safe, affordable aesthetic procedures. These procedures include amazing new lasers that are colour-blind and less invasive than previous generations of lasers. Yet special concerns have to be addressed when treating skin of colour as the wrong choice of treatment (especially when it comes to Lasers and lights) can have dire consequences and adverse effects.

Melasma, also known as hormonal pigmentation, is a considerable problem for South African women, especially in darker skin types. It is a chronic skin condition that occurs on the face in the form of symmetrical brown patches, and it is a dynamic (active) condition that needs lifelong management. It often shows up when someone is pregnant, taking the pill or using some form of hormonal therapy. That being said, it is not exclusively women who suffer from this condition; it can also affect men.

Melasma is not treated like normal sun-induced pigmentation because it is not just a superficial concern but has internal triggers and hormonal influences. This treatment, therefore, requires treatment (in-clinic), topicals to maintain the treatment results and prevent new pigment from forming, and supplements that suppress the internal and hormonal and inflammatory triggers from within.

What treatments can be done safely on dark skin types to treat and manage Melasma?

frequently asked
questions

Is treatment for Melasma in Dark Skin Types available at all Skin Renewal branches ?
What causes Hormonal Pigmentation/Melasma in dark skin types?
  • 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 estrogen is thought to trigger and aggravate the condition (i.e. 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 Melasma (chloasma) or pigmentation usually clears within a few months of delivery but may persist indefinitely
  • 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.
  • Melasma is seen most frequently in young women but can be seen in men.
Where does Melasma appear on the face?
  • Centro Facial (forehead),
  • Malar (cheekbones) and
  • Mandibular (jawline).
How can one prevent Melasma from forming in darker skin types ?
  • 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 to help prevent melasma.
  • In addition, your sunscreen should also contain an anti-oxidant as this stops free radicals that cause pigmentation.
  • At least 10ml of sunscreen should be applied daily to the face and neck twice a day to prevent melasma.
  • Taking an oral antioxidant supplement such as Pycnogenol from the French Maritime Pine bark is clinically proven to raise one’s level of resistance to the sun and also helps to reduce the melanin content in the skin down the line.
  • As melasma is a dynamic condition and needs to be managed daily and indefinitely. One day of unintentional sun burn can set you back.
What topical and in-office options are there for those who suffer from Melasma?

Home therapies for Melasma in dark skin types:

We offer highly effective depigmentation topical creams: MesoBrite™ or MesoBrite Lite™

Pigmentation ranges by top cosmeceuticals house Neostrata is also available at all Skin Renewal branches.

In-house topical brightening agents have been specially developed for Skin Renewal. The Renewal Institute brand includes traditional brightening products such as Kojic, Arbutin, and Nicotinamide, amongst others. Topical anti-oxidants that protect against infra-red A, a newly discovered deep wavelength that causes accelerated ageing and pigmentation, are also available at Skin Renewal.


In-Office Therapies for Melasma in dark skin types:

At Skin Renewal, it's mandatory that one of the home brightening products mentioned above be used routinely for two weeks on the entire before any exfoliation treatment such as peels. A visit/consultation with one of our doctors who are experienced in treating skin of colour is mandatory before any procedure.

In-Office Treatments available at Skin Renewal include the full epidermal peel for PIH that is resistant to treatment with normal superficial AHA and BHA peels. Transdermal Mesotherapy with prescription Brightening products done straight after our peels improves the final result by removing deep dermal pigment. MesoBrite™ or MesoBrite Lite™ treatments, together with the home maintenance products, offer superior results for resistant pigmentation.

The epidermis renews itself every six weeks. By six months, any pigment from PIH is probably in the dermis. Traditional skin rejuvenation treatments such as superficial peels, microdermabrasion, and bleaching agents are not successful for pigment such as PIH that has leached into the dermis. That is when the use of certain lasers, such as the long-pulsed Nd Yag, becomes effective to safely treat darker skin, including skin type 6. The Laser Genesis procedure by Cutera gently heats the dermis, causing cavitation bubbles, which disrupt the unwanted dermal pigment, breaking it into smaller particles that are able to move upward to the epidermis, where it can be easily removed with exfoliation. The PDT Red Light with post-peel reduces inflammation and evens out skin tone.

Our Brightening Intravenous infusions with brightening anti-oxidants such as glutathione which work intracellularly to remove resistant pigment. An overall lighter and even skin tone can be expected.

Frequently asked questions

Is treatment for Melasma in Dark Skin Types available at all Skin Renewal branches ?
What causes Hormonal Pigmentation/Melasma in dark skin types?
  • 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 estrogen is thought to trigger and aggravate the condition (i.e. 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 Melasma (chloasma) or pigmentation usually clears within a few months of delivery but may persist indefinitely
  • 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.
  • Melasma is seen most frequently in young women but can be seen in men.
Where does Melasma appear on the face?
  • Centro Facial (forehead),
  • Malar (cheekbones) and
  • Mandibular (jawline).
How can one prevent Melasma from forming in darker skin types ?
  • 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 to help prevent melasma.
  • In addition, your sunscreen should also contain an anti-oxidant as this stops free radicals that cause pigmentation.
  • At least 10ml of sunscreen should be applied daily to the face and neck twice a day to prevent melasma.
  • Taking an oral antioxidant supplement such as Pycnogenol from the French Maritime Pine bark is clinically proven to raise one’s level of resistance to the sun and also helps to reduce the melanin content in the skin down the line.
  • As melasma is a dynamic condition and needs to be managed daily and indefinitely. One day of unintentional sun burn can set you back.
What topical and in-office options are there for those who suffer from Melasma?

Home therapies for Melasma in dark skin types:

We offer highly effective depigmentation topical creams: MesoBrite™ or MesoBrite Lite™

Pigmentation ranges by top cosmeceuticals house Neostrata is also available at all Skin Renewal branches.

In-house topical brightening agents have been specially developed for Skin Renewal. The Renewal Institute brand includes traditional brightening products such as Kojic, Arbutin, and Nicotinamide, amongst others. Topical anti-oxidants that protect against infra-red A, a newly discovered deep wavelength that causes accelerated ageing and pigmentation, are also available at Skin Renewal.


In-Office Therapies for Melasma in dark skin types:

At Skin Renewal, it's mandatory that one of the home brightening products mentioned above be used routinely for two weeks on the entire before any exfoliation treatment such as peels. A visit/consultation with one of our doctors who are experienced in treating skin of colour is mandatory before any procedure.

In-Office Treatments available at Skin Renewal include the full epidermal peel for PIH that is resistant to treatment with normal superficial AHA and BHA peels. Transdermal Mesotherapy with prescription Brightening products done straight after our peels improves the final result by removing deep dermal pigment. MesoBrite™ or MesoBrite Lite™ treatments, together with the home maintenance products, offer superior results for resistant pigmentation.

The epidermis renews itself every six weeks. By six months, any pigment from PIH is probably in the dermis. Traditional skin rejuvenation treatments such as superficial peels, microdermabrasion, and bleaching agents are not successful for pigment such as PIH that has leached into the dermis. That is when the use of certain lasers, such as the long-pulsed Nd Yag, becomes effective to safely treat darker skin, including skin type 6. The Laser Genesis procedure by Cutera gently heats the dermis, causing cavitation bubbles, which disrupt the unwanted dermal pigment, breaking it into smaller particles that are able to move upward to the epidermis, where it can be easily removed with exfoliation. The PDT Red Light with post-peel reduces inflammation and evens out skin tone.

Our Brightening Intravenous infusions with brightening anti-oxidants such as glutathione which work intracellularly to remove resistant pigment. An overall lighter and even skin tone can be expected.

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What an amazing 5-star experience it is to visit Skin Renewal Cape Quarter! This amazing team isn't just friendly, helpful, and inviting, but extremely knowledgeable and instills confidence! Dr Michelle is very skillful in his approach, and made me feel very comfortable by explaining every step of the process. I would strongly recommend SRCQ

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Soné and Dr. Lilli were highly professional and friendly. My experience was enjoyable. Thank you.

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I'm so grateful I got to know about you. My skin is feeling looking amazing. And your products work perfectly for my skin. Thank you so much Marisa for your great service. Actually the whole team.

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I am quite pleased with the treatment I have received from Skin Renewal, Bedfordview Branch. My extreme bad melasma is almost gone. I feel rejuvenated and younger looking. The staff have insight about their job. They are friendly and professional. I enjoy price reduction through Skin Renewal reward scheme. Fabulous treatmenst.

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As usual, wonderful being treated by Anel and Dr Toni and the helpful staff at front desk. Highly recommended professionals!

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Have had a brilliant experience, both with treatments and how she treats me. She is methodical, precise, takes no shortcuts and leaves me feeling that the treatment I have done will work because she has taken great care to make sure that they are done properly. Highly recommended her on all levels.

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The staff is very professional, and my therapist is very good. She knows what she is doing and handles everything on a professional base.

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Helen knows her lashes. She also listens and accomodats the clients request. Not one size fits all approach!

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The best lash extensions ever. Always proffesional and relaxing. Couldn't get better!

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