Hyperpigmentation Treatments Taunton
Photodamage and Hyperpigmentation Treatments and Products in Taunton by Dr Baines
Maintaining your skin's vitality becomes much more difficult as we get older and let’s be honest; healthy, evenly toned skin, free from lines and imperfections is hard to achieve.
What is Photodamaged Skin?
Chronic exposure to the sun’s rays over the year’s results in damaging effects to our skin and this is a process known as photoaging. Photoaged skin includes fine and coarse wrinkles, roughness, laxity, mottled pigmentation, actinic lentigines and keratoses, coarseness, sallowness, and telangiectasia. We are all now much more aware of the damaging effects of the sun and most of us now take more precautions with good sunscreen protection and if you have never worn sun cream or have only ever used a low SPF (Sun Protection Factor) then this is now the time to change.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition where areas of your skin become darker and discoloured. This condition is caused from higher than normal levels of melanin, which is the chemical that gives our skin its pigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is essentially caused by the excess production of melanin by the melanocyte cells of our body and there are several factors that encourage this abnormal increase. In addition to this, when your skin is damaged it can find it hard to successfully regenerate the skins original pigments and when this happens darker pigments can be generated over the damaged area.
Why do you get Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation can be caused by the sun and exposure to UV rays when you are not wearing any UV protection, skin damage from a cut, graze, spot or eczema, allergic reactions, certain medications, improper hair removal, hormone changes, and in some rare cases there are genetic and DNA reasons why your body produces excess melanin causing hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation doesn’t cause any physical discomfort and it is a visual condition rather than a physical one. Many people choose to leave the condition untreated as it doesn’t have any impact on them, however, some people are very conscious of the darker patches on their skin and want to do something about it. Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skin problems which normally worsens with age, affecting men and women.
We can take steps to make it prevent and improve it, so our skin reflects the age we feel rather than the age we are.
One of the most important steps to prevent further pigmentation of your skin is to wear a good sun cream every day, with a high SPF and UV protection. Exposing your skin to the sun with no protection will result in it being damaged by the UVA and UVB rays. Always remember that even on a cloudy day the sun’s rays are still strong and you should wear a good sun cream.
There is lots of information around when it comes to sunscreen and it can all sometimes be a bit confusing.
What are UVA and UVB rays?
UV rays are the cause of skin damage and are the ones you need to protect your skin from, with both types being linked to skin cancer. Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are responsible for skin reddening and sunburn. It’s also the main culprit for skin cancer but also causes tanning and premature ageing. UVB rays vary in strength depending on location, the time of day and the time of year.
Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays penetrate deeper into your skin and are responsible for tanning. They are the cause of premature ageing such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and photodamage. UVA rays are normally consistent all year round and at any time of the day so the advice is to wear a sun cream every day.
What is SPF?
Sun protection factor (SPF) measures the amount of protection you’ll receive from the sun’s UVB rays and the higher the number, the stronger the protection. The number tells you how much longer your skin will take to turn red in response to UVB compared to if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen. As an example, if you normally burn after 30 minutes without sunscreen, an SPF 30 will protect you 30 times longer (15 hours). Most people now use a minimum of SPF 30.
How good is your sunscreen?
Sunscreens are rated for their level of UVA protection. When you see “UVA” inside a circle, it is confirming the UVA protection you have bought is at least one-third of the SPF value and therefore meets EU recommendations.
Some products may display a star rating instead, which is also a measure of the amount of protection you receive from UVA radiation. The rating is from one to five stars and more stars mean more protection. This system requires a higher minimum level of protection than the EU recommendations.
Sun Cream Hints & Tips
Tests show that once a day sunscreen does not protect you from the sun’s rays all day so it is recommended that you reapply as you would do with any other sunscreen. Water-resistant sunscreen keep you protected in water, however, always check how long it claims to be water resistant and reapply once you get out of the water. Always remember that towel drying will rub the sunscreen off your skin. Sunscreen with insect repellent contain DEET, however, research shows that these types of sunscreen see a reduction in the effectiveness of SPF protection. Experts recommend sticking to two separate products. Facial sunscreen containing SPF are usually lightweight, non-greasy and great for delicate or sensitive facial skin. You should apply them liberally to your face and reapply every two hours in the sun.
Obagi Skincare
In the search for clear and evenly toned skin, a lot of us will search the internet or head to our local chemist or dermatologists a quick fix.
A brand that doctors and dermatologists use is Obagi Medical Products. They were founded by dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi over 30 years ago and were originally formulated for physician use only. Obagi is well known for their skin-rejuvenating "Blue Peel,". Obagi products are now available in over-the-counter formulations as well as on prescription from medical and skin care professionals so you know they are medically tested with proven clinical results.
What’s different about Obagi?
Dr. Zein Obagi redefined skincare and created skin-care products and systems designed to promote and maintain healthy skin.
Dr. Obagi’s philosophy led to the development of some of the most widely recognized skincare products and solutions prescribed by doctors. In contrast to many traditional skin-care regimes, Obagi Products use retinol and products to encourage your skins natural exfoliation, leaving you with a healthy new-skin glow.
Obagi Photodamage and Hyperpigmentation Treatments & Products
OBAGI NUDERM
As we age our skin is exposed to many environmental stressors which cause damage that reaches the deepest layers of our skin. Photodamage caused by the sun's harmful rays is the main cause of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots that you may already see or, you will eventually see on your face.
The Nu-Derm System is the physician-dispensed, prescription-strength skin care system that can transform your skin at the cellular level and addresses the signs of photodamage by restoring the healthy function of your skin cells. This system is clinically proven to result in younger and healthier looking skin.
How Nuderm Works
The Obagi Nu-Derm System uses a unique combination of active and prescription ingredients - including Tretinoin and Hydroquinone 4% - to maximize penetration to all skin layers.
The Nuderm System triggers a Therapeutic Cascade that:
· Increases cellular turnover of abundant healthy keratinocytes, pushing fresh cells to the surface more quickly by accelerating the natural exfoliation of old cells. I
· Suppresses melanocyte production reversing and preventing hyperpigmentation
· Promotes the even distribution of melanin, eliminating unwanted dark patches and age spots
· Repairs intracellular transcription of keratinocytes, producing healthy, uniform cells for better skin structure
· Stimulates fibroblasts to increase collagen and elastin formation, resulting in stronger, more resilient skin
· Increases GAG synthesis, providing natural hydration and necessary nutrients to the epidermis Increases angiogenesis, improving blood flow)
OBAGI CRX
Using Obagi-C Rx promotes healthier, refreshed and revitalized skin from cell to surface. Obagi-C Rx Systems promotes skin rejuvenation from the inside out by using a formulation of prescription-strength 4% hydroquinone, which reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation and age spots, combined with 10% L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), the only topical antioxidant proven to stimulate collagen synthesis and protect your skin by minimizing future skin cell damage.
Obagi-C Rx Systems are ideal skin care if you have:
· Early fine lines
· Mild unevenness of skin tone
· Mild hyperpigmentation and minimal age spots
· Intolerance to, or are not ready for, more aggressive anti-ageing regimens
Obagi-C Rx Systems gives you the over-the-top protection that you won’t find over the counter.
About Dr Baines Skin Health
Maintaining the skin's vitality becomes much more of a challenge as we grow older and healthy, toned skin, free from lines and imperfections is hard to achieve. But we can take steps to make it easier, so our looks reflect the age we feel rather than the age we are and Dr Baines Skin Health can help you to achieve this.
Dr Baines has been medically qualified for 23 years and has gained experience in a wide range of medical and surgical specialities during this time. He offers a holistic approach to your skin-care problems and offers many non-surgical procedures and products that will help you to achieve the results you are looking for.
Dr Baines has spent the last 10 years in aesthetic practice, and his experience has led him to become a teacher for Galderma, manufacturer to the industry-leading brand Restylane. His ethos is to prioritise safety and to maintain natural looks, believing that ‘less is more’ and that your friends shouldn’t be able to what you have had done. Your results will be a healthier, more refreshed version of you.
Dr Baines offers Muscle Relaxing Treatments (Botox), Facial and Lip Fillers, Peels, Microneedling, Lash Enhancements and many more, along with Dermatology Product Ranges such as Obagi, which are renowned in the medical world to help repair damaged skin and prevent the further effects of ageing. Dr Baines is based in Taunton and is renowned for his skin rejuvenation treatments and products across the South West.
You can contact him directly on 07790 900939 and he will be happy to answer any questions you may have or he can arrange your no obligation skin consultation.
NHS Consultant, Musgrove Park Hospital, MB BCh MRCS, FRCEM, LL.M