What should I do about pigmentation?

I am beginning to get bad pigmentation on my face and hands. I don't know how I got it or how to get rid of it?

According to Dr Nick Lowe, Consultant Dermatologist at the Cranley Clinic London, there are two types of pigmentation. First, that which is caused by UVA exposure. "UVA rays are the ‘silent skin damaging agents,'" says Dr Lowe. "They don't burn the skin so there is no immediate, obvious skin damage but they cause aging and Lentigo, the brown flat skin spots that are mostly found on the face, hands and décolleté".

The other form of pigmentation is Melasma, caused by a combination of UVA rays reacting with increased hormone levels, predominantly estrogen, triggering the pigment cells to darken. This is caused by pregnancy and through taking the contraceptive pill.

To prevent the pigmentation from forming in the first place you need to protect the skin using a cream with high UVA protection, not just a high SPF, such as Dr Nick Lowe Super Charged Day Cream £16.59. If you already have pigmentation spots, you should use a combination of products to fade them.

First use a mircodermabrasion cream such as Dr Nick Lowe Cell Renewal Dermabrasion Peel, £10.72, twice a week to encourage cell turnover and then use a brightening cream such as Aveda Enbrightenmant Brightening Correcting Cream or L'Oreal Paris Brown Spot Matte Fluid SPF30, £11, every morning and night. For more severe cases you might need a prescription-strength cream containing hydroquinone.

Also, book in for a microdermabrasion treatment at Sk:n, from £59 (0800 028 7222), which uses a spray of fine crystals to exfoliate and cleanse skin while refining pores and encouraging collagen production and fading skin spots. Alternatively, try a peel. The Jessner's Peel, which includes lactic and salicylic acid, is very good for skin brightening. Or consider laser, ask your therapist for the Ruby laser or the Fraxel Restore Laser which both brighten and rejuvenate the skin.

Jess Henley, SHE beauty editor

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