Pittwater Life June 2023 Issue

Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
Looking on the brighter
side of skin during Winter
Winter is upon us,
and this is an ideal
opportunity to treat
hyperpigmentation created
during the warmer months. So
many of us battle some form of
hyperpigmentation; no skin is
resistant to this, regardless of
gender, race or age. Correcting
the skin to its bright and
healthy complexion is easier
when there is an understanding
of pigmentation.
The creation of
hyperpigmented
(melanogenesis) is a complex
process. When the skin
is harmed, the melanin
production cycle changes and
either slows down or goes into
overdrive, producing more
melanin. When this happens,
we see three main classes of
pigment shifts in the skin.
1. Hyperpigmentation or
darker pigment;
2. Demarcation or uneven
pigment; and/or
3. Hypopigmentation or
deficiency of melanin in the
skin.
The various types of
hyperpigmentation occur
mainly from either intrinsic
(internal) or extrinsic
(extrinsic) factors. The main
extrinsic factor is UV exposure.
Intrinsic factors might be
hormonal fluctuations or
medication. And then there is
inflammation, which may be
caused by either/both intrinsic
or extrinsic influences.
There are four crucial
factors to help with
eliminating, lessening and
managing hyperpigmentation
issues. These are exfoliating
the surface of the skin,
suppression of melanocyte
activity, skin brightening
and lightening and cellular
protection and repair.
Treating the various forms
of hyperpigmentation can
be a frustrating process.
The question to ask is: what
direction will you take to
achieve a brighter, more
The Local Voice Since 1991
even skin tone? Many options
range, from lasers, chemical or
herbal peels, mesotherapy, or
mechanical resurfacing. Any of
these options can be impactful
on the right individual. The
best outcome is when both
clinical and home care regimes
are combined.
When choosing a good
homecare program, look for
ingredients such as botanical
brighteners, plant stem cells,
epidermal growth factor,
peptides, mandelic acid and
retinaldehyde. This combination
will address the four
fundamental areas, melanin
suppression, cellular repair and
protection, exfoliation, skin
brightening, and of course, a
good 30+ sun protection each
day – rain, hail or shine.
In-Clinic, treatments are
wide and varied. There is
usually some downtime
with these procedures, this
being determined by the
depth of colour we start with.
One of the most important
considerations before any in
Clinic treatment is undertaken,
is to prep the skin with home
care products prior. A better
outcome will be achieved and
will also reduce the likelihood
of rebound pigmentation from
occurring.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
is an effective light therapy
treatment and will reduce or
eliminate brown spots and
colour on the face, neck, chest,
hands, arms, legs and back.
Diathermy is an effective
and affordable treatment
using an electrical current to
dehydrate minor seborrheic
keratoses
Fractional Laser creates
small pixels in the skin and
helps to reduce or remove
hyperpigmentation and will
stimulate elastin and collagen
production at the same time
Cosmelan, Deep Sea
Herbal Peel and Clinical peels
are fabulous treatments to
assist with the removal of
brown marks on the skin,
particularly the face, neck
and chest. Depending on the
depth of peel decided upon
will determine the level of
downtime. There are 3 main
types of peels, Progressive
(may be performed weekly),
Mid-depth (can be done
monthly) and Deep Peels
(performed once every 3
months and have the greatest
amount of downtime where
the skin will shed).
Mesotherapy, Tixel
Infusion and Skin Needling
are treatments whereby
either injecting/infusing skin
brightening serums into the
skin will work on reducing
hyperpigmentation.
Sue Carroll is at the forefront
of the beauty, wellness
and para-medical profession
with 35 years’ experience on
Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
She leads a dedicated team
of professionals who are
passionate about results for
men and women.
info@skininspiration.com.au
www.skininspiration.com.au
JUNE 2023 47
Hair & Beauty