How To Enjoy Summer When You Have Pigmentation

Finally, summer is here! At last we have sunshine, we can enjoy sitting in the garden, plan a trip to the coast or even just a rain-free shopping trip! Whilst the sunny weather might be great news for your social calendar, it's not so great for your skin, especially if uneven pigmentation, dark spots and melasma are already a concern. Here are our top tips for keeping your skin protected in the summer months

Always use sun protection

We know we talk about it all the time and you probably get the message nowbut once more for good measure! A broad-spectrum sunscreen should be applied - and re-applied - in appropriate quantities to offer sufficient protection. Re-application should be every two hours if you are spending time outdoors - remember, no sunscreen lasts the entire day and constant sun protection is so important for pigmentation-prone skin.

Those who struggle with dark spots, pigmentation and melasma should already be applying SPF daily, but it's even more important during the summer when UV rays are stronger and the days are much longer.

Keep covered

In addition to regular SPF top-ups, we recommend wearing a wide brimmed hat and oversized sunglasses to further protect your skin from UV rays. If you are on holiday, seek shade during the peak sun hours and try to keep your face out of the sun as much as possible.

Keep cool

Keeping your body temperature as cool as possible will help slow down the reaction within the skin that triggers excessive melanin production. On particularly hot and humid days, think about wearing breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen.

You should also ensure you are drinking plenty of hydrating fluids. For more tips on keeping cool, check out our blog: How To Keep Cool During Summer.

Continue using pigment-controlling skincare

There are many discussions and conflicting advice surrounding the use of Vitamin A products during the summer months. Treating pigmentation takes a lot of time and commitment, so it can be a difficult decision to forgo your precious pigmentation products!

Although during the summer, skin will be exposed to stronger UV rays, it does not mean you should stop using corrective pigmentation treatments. It simply means that you will need to be more diligent with the application of SPF.

Products containing ingredients such as retinol and melanin suppressors can still be used during the summer, so feel free to use them as normal, but ensure you are extra thorough with your SPF application and re-application to keep your skin protected and avoid pigmentation reappearing.

Consume foods rich in antioxidants

Antioxidants are incredible ingredients to use both topically and internally. The consumption of antioxidant-rich foods helps to boost your natural defences against free radical damage caused by sun exposure.Opt for foods such as:

Blueberries
Watermelon
Leafy greens like spinach and kale
Tomatoes
Walnuts
Carrots
Green tea

What to do if that pesky pigmentation returns

Hyperpigmentation is a very common skin concern and for those that suffer with this skin condition can unfortunately expect reoccurrences. But don't worry; at Face the Future, we are on hand to help you combat your pesky pigmentation

Cosmelan is a depigmenting method with an intensive corrective effect that regulates the overproduction of melanin in the melanocytes, inhibiting and controlling the appearance of new dark spots. This in-clinic treatment has a dual corrective and controlling action, achieving long-term results by keeping hyperpigmentation under control.

However, in order to achieve the results you must follow the home-care protocol as directed by your skincare practitioner, the method comprises of 4 treatment phases.

Phase 1 - The first part of the treatment needs to be carried out in a clinic setting by a skincare practitioner, using a depigmenting mask that has to be left on the skin for 8 - 12 hours depending on the phototype of the patient to be treated.

Phase 2 - After the mask as been successfully removed, the patient must avoid exposure to sources of light and heat for 48 hours after the removal of the mask. The method continues at home for one month using the homecare products provided by your practitioner morning, midday and night.

Phase 3 - With continued use of the homecare products, you should start to see the pigmentation fading away and after one month, the treatment is adapted and the application is to be done morning and night.

Phase 4 - Skin prone to pigmentation is at a constant risk of developing dark spots again. This phase of the treatment works to prevent the reappearance of dark spots and one month later the treatment is adapted to be used at nighttime only.There are three homecare products to be used in each phase that are Mesoestetic Cosmelan 2 Depigmentation Cream, which boosts the depigmenting result of Cosmelan 1. Mesoestetic Melan Recovery, which is a soothing and restorative balm to help with erythema. Finally, Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan SPF 130+ Pigment Control, this sunscreen protects skin and regulates the enzyme responsible for melanin production, helping to prevent pigmentation.

In order to achieve the desired result, the patient must follow the home-care instructions as recommended by the skincare practitioner. The homecare products are essential and we strongly recommend continuous use of sun protection every morning and throughout the day.

For those not wanting to go though the downtime associated with the Cosmelan treatment, the Mesoestetic Tran3x programme is designed to provide a multi-dimensional approach to skin pigmentation.

The Tran3x programme can be used as a modular treatment to address various indications including treating solar lentigines, freckles, post-laser and to complement the Mesoestetic Cosmelan/Dermamelan depigmentation methods.

The programme is based on the active ingredient Tranexamic Acid, which complements the effectiveness of depigmenting active ingredients present in the Tran3x formula by acting on keratinocytes, inhibiting the release of melanocyte stimulating factors.The Tran3x programme consists of both professional solutions and homecare products such as Mesoestetic Melan Tran3x Dail y Depigmenting Gel Cream and Mesoestetic Melan Tran3x Intensive Depigmenting Concentrate. Patients are advised to use the homecare products a month before having any chemical peels in clinic to prepare their skin for treatment.

If you are concerned about pigmentation, book your FREE consultation with our expert clinicians and start your treatment journey with us today! Call 0113 282 3300, email info@facethefuture.co.uk or book online.

Written for you by: Kimberley & Jess, Face the Future

Image source: unsplash.com