Post-Summer Sun Solutions
One of the most common complaints I hear regarding skin following fun in the sun during the Iowa summer is that of hyperpigmentation. You know, those pesky brown spots and freckles that seem to appear overnight! The summer sun and heat can also exacerbate melasma, which often requires maintenance skincare to keep at bay.
We have several solutions to address that uneven pigment. Number one, of course, is skin care! DiamondGlow, chemical peels, microneedling, and laser treatments are also beneficial and will work together with your skincare regimen to fade away those dark spots and maintain a radiant complexion.
SkinCare
We carry several products that are your BFF when it comes to preventing and correcting hyperpigmentation, whether it’s from the sun, melasma, or even inflammation. The number one product we recommend is an SPF of at least 30 or higher! One of our favorites is SkinMedica’s Essential Defense Tinted Mineral Shield. I have never used a silkier SPF product on my face. Many mineral SPFs can leave a whitish sheen on the face, but this product’s sheer tint blends with almost any skin tone. I recommend this product to almost everyone, ESPECIALLY those with acne-prone skin, as it won’t clog pores or increase oil production. This product, as well as Colorescience Face Flex Shield Flex and Sunforgettable Brush-On Shield are also highly recommended for those with melasma, according to dermatologists. I carry a Brush-On Shield in my purse everywhere I go for easy re-application and to absorb oil on my skin! SkinMedica Total Defense & Repair is a good go-to for those who want anti-aging benefits and SPF in just one step.
Next, I recommend an exfoliating cleanser to help gently loosen up and release those dead skin cells that are dulling your complexion. SkinMedica’s AHA/BHA cleanser does just that, and helps reveal those new, plump, skin cells underneath. This cleanser can be used twice a day on any skin type. If you do tend to be on the dryer side, I recommend alternating with a gentle cleanser such as Cerave or another one of my favorites, SkinMedica’s Facial Cleanser.
Ingredients that suppress the production of melanin (pigment that our skin cells make that give us our skin color) are also recommended for correction and prevention of hyperpigmentation. SkinMedica’s Lytera 2.0 suppresses melanin production at each stage of melanogenesis (a fancy word for the process of our cells producing pigment) and is effective at reducing uneven pigment and preventing future changes. This product is used twice a day year-round, regardless of sun exposure, and can be used in combination with other products, such as prescription hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a great product for quickly fading hyperpigmentation, but due to the possibility of resistance, should be cycled; and can actually make hyperpigmentation worse when used during periods of sun exposure. We do carry The Perfect B from Bella Medical, which is a prescription hydroquinone. We recommend both of these products sometimes in preparation for some procedures, especially for those with darker skin types who are more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
If you’re looking for a system that protects, corrects, and provides a flawless cosmetic finish all in one, Colorescience Even Up Multi-Correction Serum and Pigment Perfector may be for you! These two products together suppress melanin production, provide a mineral SPF of 50, AND leave you with a beautiful soft finish or base for the rest of your makeup regimen!
DiamondGlow
DiamondGlow is my all-time favorite service to offer anyone and everyone! It was the first device I purchased after opening my business, and still my favorite non-invasive, affordable, and effective treatment! This 3-in-1 facial experience combines exfoliation of the surface of the skin (using tiny Diamonds, which are a girl’s best friend in more ways than one, apparently!), extraction of debris from within the pores, and infusion of any one of five nourishing Pro-Infusion Serums to leave your skin smooth, radiant, hydrated, and rejuvenated. Results are noticeable immediately and continue to improve over the next 72 hours. For those looking to even out pigment, the Brightening Serum will most likely be selected. This Pro-Infusion serum contains Lumixyl, which suppress melanin and targets uneven pigment. I recommend a monthly DiamondGlow, and we do offer a membership as an incentive to keep up with your regimen so you see your results faster and maintain them! You can learn more about DiamondGlow at DiamondGlow.com, or during your consultation with me (I’m a national trainer for the Allergan Medical Institute and teach other MedSpas all things DiamondGlow!).
Chemical Peels
Peels are a form of chemical exfoliation and are great for expediting the process of shedding the top dead skin cell layers. Different peels are offered that exfoliate at different depths. At SkinFusion FX, we offer the three SkinMedica peels, including Illuminize, Vitalize, and Rejuvenize. These three peels are all considered superficial peels, but each one gets stronger, leading to more peeling of the skin. For mild to moderate pigment changes, I recommend a series of Vitalize peels; and a series of Rejuvenize for more moderate to severe pigment changes. We also offer a medium-depth peel, the Perfect Derma Peel, which peels the entire epidermis and down into the dermis. This is definitely a peel that you don’t want to pick at (I’m serious!), but offers amazing result with just one peel, and even more dramatic results with a series of three. I recommend peels during the fall, winter, and early spring months when you can avoid sun exposure during and after the peeling finishes.
Microneedling
Microneedling is another treatment effective at pigment correction. This service involves creating tiny micro-injuries in the skin (don’t worry, we numb your skin first!) to trigger a wound-healing process and the production of collagen. Older cells slough off during the healing process, revealing newer skin with more even skin tone and texture. We offer AnteAge Microneedling, PRP Microneedling, and now RF Microneedling with our new Pixel8 device. In addition to a more even skin tone, microneedling offers other benefits such as skin smoothing and tightening, decreased pore size, reduction in scarring, and more. I love that this treatment has little to no downtime, mostly some redness and mild swelling the day of treatment.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments are a very effective way to treat hyperpigmentation of the skin. We offer both laser and IPL treatments with our Rohrer Spectrum Multi-Platform Device. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacials use light energy to target darker pigment changes of the skin. Because the light targets pigment, these treatments are safest for those with Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-III (sometimes IV). They are not recommended for treatment of melasma, and can actually worsen it. Following an IPL, dark spots may appear even darker, but then slough or peel off in the days following, Erbium Resurfacing is another laser treatment effective in the treatment of hyperpigmentation. This treatment targets water rather than pigment within the skin to remove outer layers, revealing a rejuvenated complexion below. It can be used on Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-V. This treatment can be done at varying controlled depths to deliver the best results, with downtime dependent on the aggressiveness of treatment.
When considering any laser or IPL treatments, it is of utmost importance to protect your skin from the sun and avoid direct sun exposure before and after the treatments. You may also need a pre and post-care regimen to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, depending on your skin type. Pre and post-treatment instructions, as well as risks and benefits, will be discussed in detail at your consultation.
Schedule your Consult
If you are finding yourself with new freckles, sun spots, or worsening melasma this fall and are curious about any of the skincare or services mentioned above, please reach out to us for a complimentary consultation to learn more! You can schedule a general consult through our booking link, or by calling 515-967-0587 during business hours. You can also shop for products via the links on our home page for SkinMedica and Colorescience!