Discolouration

Cutaneous ageing signs such as discolouration become visible from as early as the twenties, especially with excessive sun or environmental exposure. However between the ages of 35 to 49 years there is a sharp increase in prevalence of skin changes clearly ascribable to photo-aging such as pigmented spots and discolouration of skin. Awareness of the damaging effect of UV radiation on the body and sun avoidance and protection before the age of twenty will help reduce the risks for developing discolouration lesions later in life.

Ageing skin unsettles women more than men because society believes a woman loses her attractiveness once visible signs of facial ageing set in. Characteristics of an aging body skin include fine and coarse wrinkle formation, pigmentation changes, sallow colour, dry texture, loss of elasticity, loss of skin tone, sagging subcutaneous tissues, underlying muscle hypertrophy and volume loss in the area.

Ageing skin is associated with a range of cosmetic concerns - from pigmentation problems and splotchy skin to redness due to enlarged vessels or capillaries, all causing discolouration of the skin especially on sun exposed areas such as the neck and décolleté. Photo ageing caused by ultraviolet light exposure, tends to act more on the surface of the skin. There are sun freckles or irregular pigmentation and dilated blood vessels (often referred to as "broken" blood vessels) that lead to an overall uneven tone and discolouration.

Home therapies:

At Body Renewal we offer traditional topical home therapies such as AHA s, PHA s, Kojic Acid and Hydroquinone to treat discolouration as well as recent advances in pigmentation technology such as the recently launched Luminesce brightening range by Lamelle.

Luminesce, an advanced pigmentation program which addresses hyper-pigmentation by reducing melanin at several points in its production, as opposed to just one point as with other treatments. This wider inhibitory effect is an industry first, positioning the Luminesce range as one of the most innovative.

Benefits & properties of Luminesce include:

• Original peptide technology (Oligopeptide 34) for treating pigmentation
• recently addition of 3 groundbreaking peptides to the program which offers excellent results in combating epidermal and post inflammatory hyper- pigmentation ( PIH)
• the combination of peptides used in the range offers anti-ageing benefits to the skin as they stimulate collagen producing cells.
• Luminesce used twice daily for 8 weeks will reduce the appearance of pigmentation and is safe for use on all skin types unlike
• traditional skin lightening cosmeceutical products as well as prescription medications try combating hyper-pigmentation with disappointing results or worse - can cause skin discolouration & hypersensitive skin, which in turn aggravates the pigmentation
• pigmentation has been one of the most challenging conditions to treat with home products , but there is definitely hope thanks to Luminesce

In Office therapies:

At Body Renewal with the introduction photo rejuvenation treatments and exfoliation treatments such as Pearl™ laser, Limelight ™ ,Photo Genesis and Mela T and M peels by Lamelle, TCA and Nimue Chemibrasion virtually any patient can be a candidate for a brightening of their skin depending on the area .

As each patient's case is different; we will tailor a treatment program specifically for you and your circumstances. A highly professional team led by a medical doctor assesses every patient and an appropriate combination treatment together with long term maintenance program is recommended. The new concept today is to start with photo rejuvenation devices early so as to prevent the deterioration of skin colour and texture as one gets older.

Body Renewal Tip:

For full body exfoliation to improve discolouration, the Neostrata Glycolic, Lamelle AHA peels and Beta Hydroxy salicylic acid peels are a cost effective procedures to attain an instant glow to one's skin. The full body procedure is best done in the cooler months when inadvertent sun exposure is not a problem. For more severe sun spots and discolouration, the Lamelle Mela T medical Facial/Peel can be done on Skin Types 1 to 5 (includes Asian skin) . African body skin discolouration can safely be treated with beta hydroxy peels. The Lamelle Mela M medical facial/peel can be used on skin type 1 to 4 for skin dicolouration which is resistant to any form of superficial exfoliation.