Also known as dyschromia, hyperpigmentation is the alteration in pigmentation of the skin and can be caused by:

• Hormones
• Aging
• Sun Exposure and Environmental Damage
• Improper use of aggressive skin treatment products

Causes

Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess melanin is produced by the skin. This sets off an immune system response to trauma (i.e. acne), and is triggered in the body by an enzyme know as tyrosinase. This chain reaction (insert chain of pigmentation image) leads to the light and dark spots that may appear one day or over a period of years.   While every customer is unique, there are similar characteristics to help determine their particular type of hyperpigmentation lesion. Note that you may exhibit a combination of the following pigmentation alterations:
Freckles – (Ephelides – Small brown spots on sun exposed areas, which eventually darken with sun exposure.
Solar Lentigines – Dark brown spots with irregular borders that are the result of sun exposure. Can also be seen on the back of hands and are most common in people over 50.
Melasma – Sharply demarcated symmetrical patches with varied areas of light to dark pigmentation. It is mostly seen on the upper lip, nose, cheeks, chin and forehead and sometimes on the neck. It is often referred to as “mask of pregnancy” and can occur with the use of oral contraceptives.
Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation – The consequence of injury to skin from acne, aggressive treatments, burns, surgery and other traumas. Occurs most often in darker skin types and where there has been previous inflammation.

Treatment

After your  assessment a specific treatment program will be recommended that addresses your individual needs, your specific  program include less aggressive treatments suit dark skin types best because they pose less risk of post hyperpigmentation.

Advanced Skin Care: Focus is on improvement of hyperpigmentation and providing nutrition to the skin.

Deep Therapeutic Peels: Improves skin texture, reduces acne and/or superficial scaring, reduces blackheads, helps destroy acne-causing bacteria on the skin, and much more.  PCA SKIN offers a number of options that help correct hyperpigmentation and acne on darker skin.

Microdermabrasion:  Remove superficial dead skin cells, clear your pores from debris resulting in a more vibrant, healthy glow to skin with improved skin tone, more even skin color, fewer acne breakouts, and more refined pores.

Instant Face Lift:   Completely relaxing experience. As there is no downtime, you can resume your daily  activities immediately. Treats many facial issues such as:  redness, acne scarring,  sebaceous cysts, and acne

 Homecare

A homecare regimen suited to the needs of the client is essential in maintaining and prolonging peel results. A regimen for hyperpigmented skin will help fade and control dark patches, while a regimen for acneic, hyperpigmented skin will stave off breakouts while gradually fading hyperpigmented areas. Particular attention should be paid when prescribing products with Hydroquinone for darker skin because it can aggravate these types.