Question: what can I do to stop hormonal pigmentation?

Good day Dr Maureen Allem. I struggle with pigmentation. Last year I went for monthly environ peels to get rid of my pigmentation. It really made a huge difference. The thing is I am on the evra patch. It works exactly like the pill. I am religiously using environ sunscreen everyday but my freckles just get darker and darker. What do you suggest? I care a lot about my skin and i'm never in the sun but still my freckles are getting darker and bigger patches. I can't stop using my patch but what else can I do to stop my skin from getting hormonal pigmentation. I use dermalogica and environ skincare because of the high vit A in environ and I use dermalogica facewash, precleanse and microfoliant. I am using the environ alpha day SPF 15 sunscreen. Should I use a higher SPF sunscreen. Please help.

Answer

Thank-you so much for your question. There are some VERY important things that you need to do to manage your particular condition.

Firstly, you need to realise that your pigmentation is hormonal, so it’s NOT just the sun that is going to trigger it or cause the pigmentation. So yes, using sunblock is GREAT, but that only partially helps the problem.

You also need to use a pigmentation inhibiting product, as our pigment-making cells (which can be triggered by our hormones), need to be discouraged from making the pigment in the first place.

When it comes to hormonal pigmentation there are FOUR things you need to do to manage the condition.

1)      SUPPRESS – Get prescription tyrosinase inhibitor (pigmentation inhibiting product)

2)      PREVENT – Stop any pigmentation that IS FORMED from becoming darker (your facial sunblock)

3)      CORRECT – Use products and or supplements to make sure your skin has everything that it needs to function normally, and ensure there are no issues that can further trigger pigmentation. (There are some fantastic Oral Skin Care Supplements on the market that you can use.

4)      MAINTAIN – Hormonal pigmentation is unfortunately a condition which needs to be managed on an ongoing basis. So at the very least you should be having a monthly peel specifically for pigmentation and whatever treatment you go for should include the use of Retinol.

If you require any assistance in finding the various product and treatment options that are available, please feel free to contact and one of our Skin Renewal Branches via www.skinrenewal.co.za

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
WhatsApp
RELATED QUESTIONS

Teenage skin

My name is Estelle and I am a 15year old teen. I'm really struggling with my facial skin,my face is…

Acne in my 40s

I have always struggled with oily and breakout skin since primary school but it has calmed down from my teens…

Question from Nickay Heyman

Hi there Doc I am a 28 year old Lady and I have a problem with dark spots left from…

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sothys - 300x250 1
Latest on Instagram