Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1503366
Exclusive member benefit: Get the ASCP SkinPro app at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 37 in people with pale skin and often start around age 40. Appearance may vary in shape, size, and texture. PIH, on the other hand, is a common condition characterized by dark or discolored patches on the skin resulting from an injury or infl ammation that causes an overproduction of melanin. PIH can occur in people of all skin tones and is particularly common in individuals with darker skin tones. PIH can be linked to various skin traumas, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, and even minor skin injuries like cuts, burns, or insect bites. The most common cause of PIH is acne, which worsens when clients pick at blemishes. For clients who struggle with acne, the sun can increase the production of sebum (natural oil in the skin) that combines with dead skin cells and clogs the pores, causing breakouts. SUN DAMAGE PREVENTION ADVICE FOR CLIENTS Protecting the skin from sun damage is a year-round commitment regardless of your client's climate. You should advise them to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen (meaning with both UVA and UVB protection) with at least SPF 30 during the winter and 50 during the summer. It is likely not possible for your clients to entirely refrain from going in the sun most days, but limiting exposure during peak hours—10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.—can help reduce their risk of UVA/ UVB exposure. Additionally, covering their skin with lightweight and bright- colored materials can ensure protection from the sun while keeping their bodies cool. It's good to remind them to also protect their eyes, lips, and scalp by wearing sunglasses, lip balm with SPF, and hats. As much as it can be tempting for your clients to kick-start a summer glow by using a tanning bed, it is extremely unwise. Tanning beds can increase the prominence of hyperpigmentation and any use of tanning beds before age 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75 percent. 1 SKIN PHYSIOLOGY include an enzyme-based (bromelain/ papain) solution or an acid-based solution often using AHA, BHA, or trichloroacetic acid (TCA). TCA peels penetrate the skin deeper than AHA or BHA peels to improve fi ne lines and wrinkles and better target hyperpigmentation and acne scarring. It is important to remember that chemical peels vary in results depending on complexion—clients with darker complexions are at greater risk for uneven skin after the procedure. Advising your client on the right peel for them depends on the severity of their hyperpigmentation, their complexion, and their desired results. It is essential to inform the client of the corresponding downtime for their chemical peel, as it can vary from peel to peel. Redness and peeling of the skin are almost guaranteed with each peel, so the client must stay out of the sun post-treatment and apply a broad-spectrum SPF protection. Additionally, they should avoid other treatments—injections, waxing, threading, exfoliating, and topical acne products—for a few weeks following the treatment. Microneedling Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy (CIT), is a procedure where a handheld device with tiny needles is used to penetrate the outer layers of the skin to activate the natural repair process. The controlled process ensures the puncture to the skin is done at the surface level without scratching or tearing the skin. The result is increased production of the skin's natural proteins, such as collagen and elastin, which causes the skin to appear plump and reduces the look of fi ne lines, wrinkles, TREATING HYPERPIGMENTATION PROFESSIONALLY Here's a look at the treatments you may provide your clients who have preexisting sunspots or other forms of hyperpigmentation. Chemical Peels As one of the most common treatments for hyperpigmentation, chemical peels help improve the skin's texture, tone, and fi rmness. For cases of PIH, chemical peels help target acne and reduce infl ammation. During treatment, chemical exfoliants target the epidermal and dermal layers. As part of a unique solution for your client's needs, the acid in the formula will reach the required depth of skin to break and loosen the bonds between dead and healthy skin cells to release and lift the dead cells to the surface. The main types of chemical peels RACHEL CLAIRE/PEXELS