Dermamelan Diary Blog
Introduction
We know that pigmentation is a concern many people face worldwide and in Australia the prevalence is even higher. The reason for this is mainly due to our love for our outdoor lifestyle – it’s our way of life! We enjoy spending time outdoors and with this comes issues with our skin from the UV damage.
Now, sun damage doesn’t necessarily discriminate and all skin types from different ethnic groups can experience some type of pigmentation issues. In fact, 90% of people aged over 50 present with hyperpigmentation, and it is one of the most common reasons for visiting a practitioner.
Hyperpigmentation may not affect some people, but for others, it can have a negative impact and can even impact one’s quality of life and have psychosocial implications.
So, what exactly is hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation
To understand hyperpigmentation, let’s bring it right back to talking about the start of pigment and how it can spiral and cause hyperpigment.
Melanin is the pigment that gives our skin its colour and are amino acids.There 2 types of melanin, being:
- Eumelanin: responsible for the black and brown hues to the skin.
- Pheomelanin: responsible for the yellow, pink and red hues to skin.
Melanin is packed into granules called melanosomes that are produced by our melanocytes (a.k.a the pigment making cell). The melanosomes are then transferred into our nearby keratinocytes (skin cells).
On average each melanocyte distributes melanosomes for about 30-40 keratinocytes.
Melanosomes are situated above the nucleus in the cell and provide protection to the nucleus from UV radiation.
This process is what creates the colour of our skinand so in darker skin types, we have a higher amount of melanosomes being transferred to keratinocytes.
Hyperpigmentation issues of the skin
Hyperpigmentation breakdown as a term;
- hyper = in excess or overactive
- pigmentation = colour
When our skin experiences hyperpigmentation issues, we have an excess of melanin being produced and melanosomes being transferred into our keratinocytes, which creates clusters of cells with too much pigment. As the keratinocytes are pushed up towards the surface, these clusters look more and more noticeable and are more visible to our eyes.
We produce excess pigment naturally when our skin tries to protect itself from UV radiation and also in response to other external and internal triggers. These other triggers can include skin ageing, inflammatory changes, genetic predispositions, exposure to chemicals and pollutants, photosensitising medications and most commonly, hormonal changes such as pregnancy.
Treatments for hyperpigmentation vary for different pigmentation disorders, which is why seeing a professional with the right education and experience is important. We must emphasise that seeing someone who knows what they can treat and how is just as important as seeing someone who knows what they cannot treat. Time and time again, many people believe they can treat everything without referring to other professionals, and this approach simply isn’t right…
As dermal practitioners with a background in both the medical and cosmetic side of the industry, we are very aware of what we are capable of and what we aren’t capable of treating and I believe educating clients on improving their skin health and concerns rather than promoting something that is going to waste their money and time is the most important goal.
Now that we have spoken about pigmentation and the process in which it is created, let’s talk about how we treat it!
Treating pigmentation with Dermamelan®
Since its launch in 2005, Dermamelan by mesoestetic® is no doubt one of the best depigmentation treatments in the market. It is the more intense version of the Cosmelan treatment by the same manufacturer, only Dermamelan contains a higher concentration of active ingredients compared to Cosmelan®. Dermamelan is trusted by thousands of Doctors and Dermal Practitioners and over one million patients worldwide.
The Dermamelan treatment is based on the dual action depigmentation method of correction and regulation. Using the treatment mask that is applied by our Dermal Practitioner in the practice we are able to correct the signs of hyperpigmentation. You are given a post care product kit to use to help regulate your skin and ensure long term results, along with complementary Healite II LED Light Therapy sessions.
Beneath we have documented a personal journey using the Dermamelan treatment, diarised day by day with my before, during and after photos along the way.
Dermamelan Downtime Diary - Before, During and After Photos
Before Dermamelan treatment
Dermamelan treatment – commencement of application
Dermamelan treatment progress | 10 hours after treatment
Day 0
- 3-4 hours: masks can harden a little – spray with water
- 4-5 hours: started it feel a bit tingly, not uncomfortable
- 8.5 hours: washed off treatment mask and skin was mildly red but more so stained a bit from the treatment mask
Dermamelan treatment progress – Day 1
Dermamelan treatment progress – Day 2
Dermamelan treatment progress – Day 3
Dermamelan treatment progress – Day 4
Dermamelan treatment progress – Day 5
Dermamelan treatment progress – Day 6
Downtime Diary
Interested in a Dermamelan Peel?
We welcome you to Pavilion Cosmetic Medicine in Crows Nest NSW for a consultation and treatment, that will be tailored to your personal concerns and goals.