Hyperpigmentation on the face. How to recognise the distribution of hyperpigmentation on the face and how to treat it. The classic causes of Hyperpigmentation.

1. Hyperpigmentation on the Face
Causes, Tips and Treatments
By Dr Vanita Rattan

2. We will be discussing:
• 1. The mechanism of Hyperpigmentation
• 2. The causes of Hyperpigmentation on the
face
• 3. How to recognise the cause
• 4. How to treat different forms of
Hyperpigmentation on the face

3. Mechanism of Hyperpigmentation
• Hyperpigmentation occurs when any type of
inflammation excites the Melanocytes (these
are the cells producing the pigment melanin).
• Damage and Inflammation can occur from
different sources e.g. Sun damage,
Pregnancy/puberty, acne, post laser or
Glycolic acid burn, medication that causes
photo sensitivity or a physical injury.

4. Mechanism of Hyperpigmentation
Causes of damage
and inflammation to
the face
Sun
damage
Pregnancy/
puberty
Medication that
causes
photosensitivity
Post laser or
Glycolic acid
burn
Acne
Physical injury

5. I’ve been fortunate enough to follow my
passion of treating Hyperpigmentation and
the best part for me is giving my clients their
confidence back again.
I’ve imparted some of my experience of
treating hundreds of cases of
Hyperpigmentation in our clinic, so you can
learn more about the cause of your
Hyperpigmentation and the best way to treat
different types of Hyperpigmentation.

6. The number one location for
Hyperpigmentation is on the face, so I’ll be
focussing my presentation on this today.
An experienced Aesthetic practitioner will
know as soon as a client walks through the
doors, the cause of the Hyperpigmentation
based on the client’s age, gender,
pigmentation distribution and ethnicity.

7. • It is important for the Aesthetic practitioner to
know the most likely cause as this indicates
how deep the Hyperpigmentation is and
therefore how long it will take to treat it.

8. Classic causes for
Hyperpigmentation on the face

9. Sun damage
• This typically gives you a butterfly shaped mask with
Hyperpigmentation on the cheek bones, nose and
forehead.
• This can either be in the form of small spots or in
larger patches that amalgamate.
• The colour can vary from light brown to dark brown.
• This usually gets worse over a period of 3-10 years and
tends to darken more in the summer as UV rays excite
the cells producing the pigment melanin.
• This Hyperpigmentation will only come back again if
the new skin cells are not protected with high SPF Sun
block.

10. This is classic Hyperpigmentation following sun damage.
This was treated at The Hyperpigmentation Clinic.

11. Post Acne
• The distribution of post acne are small-
medium sized dark brown or black marks.
• The pigmentation tends to be closer to the
surface which means few treatments are
required to see a result.
• The Hyperpigmentation will only come back
again if more acne appears.

12. Post Laser, Glycolic or TCA burn
• The pigmentation here tends to be more
diffuse with multiple patches where the skin
was burned.
• This form of pigmentation takes longer to
treat as the burn tends to go deep into the
skin’s dermis.

13. Post pregnancy
• This pigmentation tends to form on the
cheeks, nose and forehead anytime within 5
years of pregnancy.
• The pigmentation that forms during or
immediately after pregnancy tends to fade
within a year. If this has not faded then it is
better to get it treated so it does not become
compounded by UV damage and darken the
already hyperpigmented area.

14. Post Puberty Hyperpigmentation
• This tends to occur around the mouth area, in
the mid teenage years.
• It tends to be more diffuse with no clear
margin and is deeper in the skin so requires
more than one treatment.

15. Polycystic ovary Hyperpigmentation
• This occurs around the chin and jaw line area.
• It is accompanied with thick hair and acne in
this area.
• Ideally control the hormones first with your
General Practitioners assistance, then get your
Hyperpigmentation treated.

16. Treatment Methods
• The classic form of treatment is removal of the
top layer of dead pigmented cells.
• This is the mechanism used for Glycolic, TCA
peels and microdermabrasion.
• This is however, only a temporary measure as the
key is to calm down the Melanocytes (the root of
the problem).
• In addition Glycolic, TCA and laser can burn the
skin and lead to PIH (Post inflammatory
Hyperpigmentation) which means worsening of
the Hyperpigmentation.

17. The ideal treatment does the
following:
• 1. Effective: with a 50% reduction after just
one treatment
• 2. Safe: Cannot burn the skin and lead to PIH
• 3. Painless
• 4. Minimal downtime

18. • Here at The Hyperpigmentation Clinic, we use
a unique Mandelic based peel packed with
Tyrosinase inhibitors which slow down the
hyperactive melanocytes. They do not affect
the normal melanocytes only those that are
over producing melanin locally.

19. Key steps to treating
Hyperpigmentation

20. • To learn more about Hyperpigmentation
download our Free E-book from
www.TheHyperpigmentationClinic.com
• To discuss your pigmentation please call to
book a Free consultation on 0207-754-3580