How to Address Hyper-pigmentation and Ageing to Revitalize Your Complexion
Wendy, like many of us, had concerns about the effects of ageing on her skin and felt her skin had become dull with an uneven complexion. Fortunately, Wendy visited her friend Estie who is a Medico Beauty certified skin expert.
After the initial consultation, the main issues were with ageing and pigmentation of the skin which could have possibly been exasperated by frequent sun exposure when Wendy was younger and living in South Africa. Wendy also expressed concern over a slight sagging around the jawline.
She is a healthy woman in her fifties, a non-smoker and the only medication being taken is her ongoing HRT. Wendy has tried other skincare solutions previously, including microdermabrasion, chemical peeling, and micro-needling.
What happens to the skin when it ages?
There are several factors which can affect the ageing of our skin including the weather, sun exposure, bad habits and - of course - our own genetics. Skin ages in different ways and individuals can suffer from particular affects more than others.
Your skin is the body's largest organ and there are three main layers to it - the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer. Each layer is distinct in function but they all work together to protect, repair and maintain the integrity of the skin as a whole. As we age the renewal process of cells in our body slows down and this can be seen in our skin on an epidermal level as it becomes dull and uneven.
As the skin ages, it can also become rougher and more slack as Wendy has experienced around her jawline. This is due to the loss of the elastic tissue (elastins) in the skin and fat underneath creating a loosing of the skin. Your skin will also become more translucent which is caused by a thinning of the epidermis. You may also find your skin becoming more fragile and even bruising more easily. This is because as you age your blood vessel walls become thinner and the layer between the dermis and epidermis becomes flatter.
Wendy is currently taking an ongoing course of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). Many women actually find this can help improve the texture of their skin. During menopause women lose around 25% of their body collagen which can lead to inelastic, sagging skin as well as other medical issues. Oestrogen therapy such as HRT replaces this loss and therefore can have a beneficial cosmetic outcome.
There are ways we can develop skincare routines to help fight the signs of ageing but there are also other factors that can speed up the ageing process, in particular photoaging, from overexposure to the sun. To combat and attempt to repair this type of damage to the skin a more specialist level of advice is often needed.
How the sun can damage our skin?
The sun plays a major role in the ageing of our skin but it’s never too late to slow down and try to repair some of the damage. Growing up in a hot country like South Africa Wendy probably had a high level of exposure to the sun as a child potentially a factor in the acceleration of the ageing process. We’re all told now to wear sunscreen and cover-up when the sun is at its hottest but unfortunately for some of us the damage has already been done.
Recent studies were carried out by Cosmetic And Investigational Dermatology researchers who wanted to calculate for the first time the effect of sunlight alone. They studied a group of almost 300 women aged between 30 and 78. It was found that the sun is responsible for 80 percent of skin ageing and just a 2 percent increase in skin damage can age a face by three years,
It can only take a small amount of exposure to the sun's UV (ultraviolet) rays to cause damage to the skin's elastins. This can be evidenced in the lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation on our skin. As discussed previously when the elastins in our skin breakdown with age this can cause the skin to sag and become more fragile. Exposure to the sun speeds up this process, so you may not even notice the damage when you are younger.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Sun exposure can also lead to overproduction or stimulation of a pigment in the skin called melanin. Melanin is essentially created by our body as a natural form of defence from the sun. This can lead to a darkening in areas of the skin which can be seen as freckles or age spots, also called Hyperpigmentation. It’s usually completely harmless but for many people can be a distressing cosmetic issue. As hyperpigmentation is mainly caused by the sun it is found on the area which has had the most exposure, usually the hands and face.
As well as sun exposure people can also often suffer from hyperpigmentation during pregnancy due to changes in hormones and also as a result of an injury where the skin has discoloured during healing. Although there is no way of reversing the hyperpigmentation there are ways of lightening and treating it as well as preventing further damage.
Wendy’s Treatment
During the initial consultation in late January, Wendy expressed that her main concern was with sun damage and ageing and described her skin condition as blotchy. She had tried microdermabrasion chemical peeling and micro-needling before and had been happy with the results.
The consultant Estie established that Wendy had dry skin but with good vascularity. Wendy was also tested for but had no skin sensitivity issues.
After completing the consultation and 7 point skin analysis Wendy was keen to start the home care products recommended.
Skincare Kit: CosMedix ‘Even Kit’.
Toner: CosMedix Benefit Balance
Peel: Blueberry Smoothie Peel
Peel: Benefit Peel
Peel: Pomegranate Peel
Peel: Deep Sea Peel
Peel: Timeless Rx Peel
Aftercare: Rescue
Estie's Feedback
Wendy had a couple of small breakouts post-peel, which is normal. New skin turnover means that impurities from the deeper layers will surface and then heal. The skin looks a lot clearer and brighter. The nasolabial folds are less pronounced. Fewer lines and wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes. No more dark circles under her eyes and even the sagging skin around Wendy’s jawline has improved.
Wendy is very happy with her skin and is a great example of how much it matters to be consistent in your skincare regime. She now only useCosmedix and Results RX and can not recommend it highly enough.
Wendy's Feedback
Wendy’s favourite of the CosMedix treatments was the Pomegranate Peel. This particular treatment was designed for all skin types but has been shown to help with both environmental damage and hyperpigmentation.
Her favourite CosMedix product was the Benefit Balance antioxidant and environmental protection solution. This toner contains Green Tea, a potent antioxidant for free radical protection and Aloe Vera and Chamomile to soothe and relax the skin.
Wendy also had some great tips to share with other Cosmedix users. She recommends leaving the Purity Clean on for 15 minutes as it works as a great mask. Another fantastic handy hint is to use any excess product on your hands.
Overall Wendy has found her skin smoother, firmer and more even. She loved the peels as there was no irritation and found them stimulating to the skin. Another happy customer enjoying the benefits of better skin by a Medico Beauty Certified Practioner.
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