As you get older you might start to notice dark marks on your skin.

They’re a natural part of the ageing process and proof that you’ve been living and loving life in the sun, but that doesn’t mean that you want them around.

Skin pigmentation takes on different forms and can be caused by a number of things, which means that treating it can sometimes feel like an uphill battle.

Just one day of unprotected sun exposure can undo months of work.

Still, it doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right products and in-office solutions, as well as a little knowledge about the type of pigmentation you’re dealing with, you could be on your way to clearer skin.

First, knowledge is power, so it’s important to identify the type of pigmentation that you’re dealing with.

Age Spots and Sunspots

One of the most common types of pigmentation is caused by unprotected sun exposure. UV-rays can stimulate the overproduction of melanin – the pigment that gives your skin its colour.

This excess melanin is created in your melanocytes (your skin’s melanin factories) in the deeper layers of your skin and travels up to the surface where it’s visible as a darker patch, often referred to as an “age spot” or “sunspot”.

Hormonal Pigmentation

Another type of pigmentation, and one that can be a little trickier to treat, is the hormonal kind. Again, this is aggravated by the sun, but your hormones are a driving factor, too.

Even if you’re religious about wearing sunscreen, a hormonal flux – be it due to pregnancy or new contraception – can send your melanocytes into overdrive.

Chloasma is another type of hormonal pigmentation that affects pregnant woman specifically. While it can manifest during pregnancy, it doesn’t necessarily go away post-partum.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

This occurs when your skin suffers some type of “assault” that can be as innocuous as a pimple or dermatitis. Even though the inflammation this causes is barely perceptible, it can trigger an overproduction of melanin. Darker skin types are typically more prone to this type of pigmentation, but it can affect anyone.

Which brings us to what you can do about it.

Create A Targeted Skincare Regime

Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Sunscreen.

No depigmenting regime will ever work if you’re continually stimulating new excess melanin in the bottom layers while removing what exists up top. If you struggle with any type of pigmentation, you should wear a high sun protection factor of 50 every single day.

Next, you can invest in a good depigmenting skin regime to use at home. Any of the highly-skilled therapists and doctors at Skin Renewal will be able to help you create an effective regime, using medical-grade products that will be much more effective than anything you could find in the skincare aisle of a pharmacy.

Take Lamelle’s Luminesce collection, for example. It contains a potent mix of skin brighteners such as AHAs, retinol and niacinamide.

Another great option is NeoStrata’s Enlighten range.

Consult An Expert

This is the ideal course of action because your skin deserves the very best treatment possible.

If you’re dealing with stubborn pigmentation, make an appointment to see one of the doctors at Skin Renewal for an in-office treatment. They’ll be able to diagnose what type of pigmentation you’re dealing with, assess its depth, and recommend the best course of action.

Find out more, or make an appointment, by visiting the Skin Renewal Website.

You’re on your way to enjoying a more even-toned, confidence-boosting complexion.