Pigmentation is the change in colour of the skin caused by an increase or decrease in melanin that is produced by melanocyte cells. Pigmentation is easy to notice due to its unevenness in skin colour and can be unappealing to the eye. It was traditionally a common issue among men since they spent a long time under the sun. It now is fairly common but let’s look at the drastic effects of pigmentation among men and how we treat the same at B16 Clinic!
Pigmentation can be categorised as caused by tanning, dye-induced pigmentation, Melasma and acne-induced pigmentation.
You might find your forehead a little darker compared to other parts of the face. It is particularly visible due to its prominent location. It occurs because the rays of the sun first hit on our forehead causing it to darken the skin and change in tone.
With the increase in growing warmth during the summers, excessive UV rays coming in and the enlargement of the hole in the ozone layer, tanning is here to stay and become commoner. This is not kidding! The weather and exposure are becoming harsher and it’s essential to get smarter and adapt to the changes in order to survive and sustain.
Dyes have become a common part of our everyday lives. We desperately cling to them to look younger and to hide the ‘greys’. What they usually come with an extra cost. Dyes with harmful ingredients could cause an accumulation of melanin synthesis or even the synthesis of particular substances. Excess melanin leads to irregular pigmentation in the areas surrounding the dye usage. It looks particularly unpleasing and does more to you that is far from looking young
Hyperpigmentation is an excess of pigment in the skin caused by an increase in the production of melanin in the skin. Hyperpigmentation manifests as patches, dark spots, discolouration, or darker skin.
Melanin is produced as part of the body’s defence mechanism that gets initiated when the skin experiences trauma. Skin trauma can occur in multiple forms in the form of acne, wounds, sunlight, etc., and the skin retaliates by stimulating melanin-forming skin cells, melanocytes, to shelter itself from further damage. These cells move to the skin’s surface leading to the creation of patches of darkened skin, dark spots, sunspots, darker pigments, and discolouration. Our body’s release of certain chemicals that pass through the bloodstream and begin the healing process also causes inflammation.
Post acne hyperpigmentation emerges on the skin as a response to this inflammation. These can appear on any part of the body and are darkened spots that pop up in brown, red or pink colours.
Melasma or hyperpigmentation is found characteristically in sun-exposed sites of the skin.
It appears as symmetric dark or light brown patches of the skin or convergent macules generally sharpened delimited on the cheeks, chin, upper lip and forehead.
Melasma or acquired facial hyper melanosis appears on the face, specifically the forehead, bridge of the nose, upper lip, cheeks and chin – but it can also be noticed on the neck and forearm.
Even though Melasma is more common among women, it does remain a serious cosmetic issue for men. Indian men, specifically are more frequently affected. Men within the age range of 19 to 53 years are more affected than the rest.
The most common reason to develop Melasma is too much exposure to sunlight and its harmful ultraviolet light. These will increase the natural melanin production of the skin causing it to darken in colour. Even though more women are affected by melasma compared to men, the intensity by which it affects men are found to be higher, specifically in the summer months.
Another cause of melasma is inheritance. About one-third of the people having melisma get it as a result of being passed down from family members who had experienced the condition.
The use of certain cosmetics, medications and other photosensitizing compounds could also result in Melasma. Use of cosmetic products like shaving creams, aftershave lotions, soaps, deodorants, perfumes, mustard oil massage, etc., could act as aggravating factors
What are the different types of Melasma?
Clinically, Melasma can be epidermal, Dermal or mixed. Depending on the affected region, melisma can be of many types.
Melasma in men can take the form of punctuating shaped patches appearing on the cheeks forehead, nose, upper lip and chin. Since it affects the mid part of the face, it is referred to as Centro-facial type Melasma.
The mandibular type of Melasma appears in symmetrical malar type on the mandibular ramus (jawbone). Wondering what ‘Malar type’ is? Those are localised pigmentation spots on the cheeks and nose, more common among men than women., It appears in a slightly bluish hue due to the Tyndall effect where partial highlighting of pigmentation is present. It can also grow symmetrically on both sides of the face on the cheeks and is called Lateral cheek pattern melasma.
A rare variant of Melasma in men can occur on the arms. Brachial melasma appears on the shoulders and upper arms.
Melasma is purely an aesthetic/cosmetic skin concern and so is its treatment. Hence, treatment for the same is seen as something cosmetic and non-functional.
B16 Clinic considers it crucial to educate the client and provide proper advice on appropriate skin care routines and procedural information to help optimally tackle and treat the condition and thereby, provide instant relief to psychological, aesthetic and character-shaping characteristics (confidence) among people.
We approach different conditions of pigmentation in different ways. Depending on the pigmentation type, nature and requirements of our clients, these conditions can be very effectively treated through the following treatments of B16 Clinic.
Chemical peels are enhanced preparations to accelerate the process of pigment removal and are controlled peeling techniques of the skin performed under the supervision of our specialists. To know more about our peels, check our ‘Treatments’ section. To combat pigmentation, advanced peels with a combination of retinol, kojic acid, glutathione, vitamin C, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid etc could be used. These remove the pigmented layer of the skin and naturally remodel it by encouraging collagen production, even toning and pigmentation removal.
Laser Toning is a convenient and quick method to remove deep-seated pigment and birthmarks. Lasers use low heat and energy to break up pigment particles in the skin, thereby eliminating the dark pigmentation. Laser treatments are advanced, affordable and quick ways to tone the skin and destroy the excessive melanocytes to make the skin uniform, smooth and clear. We use advanced Q-switched Nd: YAG lasers in our treatments.
Many a time, your skin needs more than just repairs. It craves skin rejuvenation and the acquirement of essential nutrients. Our microneedling with serum infusion treatment does just that by boosting the skin to repair on its own and also nourishes it with essential serums and growth factors. By creating micro punctures in the skin, it activates the skin’s natural defence and repair mechanism that promotes cell regrowth and balances the melanin production. After breaking down the skin barrier, it is easier to infuse ingredients into the skin that lighten pigmentation. This is where serums come in handy! Serums are infused depending on the requirements of that particular skin or according to suit the expectations of our clients.
After identification, repair and recovery come the next most crucial element: maintenance!
Skin maintenance is the key to a youthful, healthy and smarter existence. It is far better to maintain skin harmony than to show it the direst effects of pigmentation. It saves a lot of time and money!
We have our carefully curated medifacial treatments that provide varying degrees of benefits. Medifacials are the best ways to tell your skin that you love it and care for it. When followed as a routine and regular practice, they rejuvenate, nourish and correct the skin from within and guarantee a glow that lasts!
