Ahh, summer. You’ve gotta love it! Sunshine, warm weather, and plenty of time spent outside. But unfortunately for many people, January is also when their pigmentation is at its peak.
Dark spots, uneven skin tone, and melasma are common concerns that clients bring to clinics after months of sun exposure. The good news? Sun damage doesn’t have to be permanent.
With the right treatments and an emphasis on ongoing sun safety, your clients can achieve an even, radiant complexion year-round. Let’s explore what causes pigmentation, how it can be treated effectively, and the devices that make it happen.
What causes pigmentation?
First, a quick primer on pigmentation.
Pigmentation occurs when the skin produces excess melanin, the pigment responsible for giving skin its colour. While some pigmentation is natural, external factors like UV exposure can exacerbate the production of melanin. This can sometimes lead to noticeable dark spots, uneven tone, or widespread discolouration across the face or body.
A few common triggers for pigmentation include:
- UV exposure: Prolonged sun exposure is the leading cause of pigmentation, triggering the skin’s defence mechanism to produce melanin as protection.
- Hormonal changes: Conditions like melasma are often linked to pregnancy or oral contraceptives, which influence melanin production.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): Caused by skin trauma, such as acne or laser treatments, PIH leads to dark spots in the affected area.
- Ageing: With age, the skin’s ability to regulate melanin diminishes, resulting in dark spots and uneven tone.
By educating clients on these triggers, you can empower them to take proactive steps to protect their skin and embrace effective treatments for their concerns.
Step 1: Sun safety first
Before diving into treatment options, it’s essential to address the role of sun safety in managing pigmentation. Prevention is just as crucial as correction, and adopting sun-safe practices ensures clients achieve long-lasting results.
Essential sun safety tips for clients:
- Daily SPF use: Encourage clients to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every morning and reapply throughout the day.
- Protective clothing: Hats, sunglasses, and lightweight long sleeves provide extra defence against UV rays.
- Avoid peak sun hours: Recommend limiting direct sun exposure between 10 AM and 4 PM, when UV rays are strongest.
- Post-treatment care: After treatments like lasers or microneedling, clients should avoid the sun entirely to prevent further damage or inflammation.
These habits not only protect the skin but also enhance the effectiveness of clinic-based pigmentation treatments.
Step 2: Professional treatments for pigmentation
While sun safety is crucial, reversing pigmentation requires targeted professional treatments. Here are some of the best options to deliver clear, even-toned skin:
SYLFIRM X: Precision RF Microneedling for Pigmentation and More
SYLFIRM X is a game-changer for addressing pigmentation – especially stubborn cases like melasma and PIH. Using dual-wave radiofrequency (RF) microneedling, it combines pulsed wave (PW) and continuous wave (CW) technology to precisely target pigmentation deep within the skin.
Why it’s great:
- Targets pigmentation at its source while promoting skin rejuvenation.
- Minimises melasma, rosacea, and discolouration without extensive downtime.
- Improves skin texture and tightness, delivering overall radiance.
- The PW modes selectively target the triggers that exacerbate melasma, rosacea, and uneven skin tone.
Treatments with SYLFIRM X are customisable to suit each client’s needs, ensuring safe and effective results for all skin types.
Helios 785: Advanced Laser Treatments for Visible Results
The Helios 785 offers both pico and nano Q-switch laser technologies, making it an exceptional choice for pigmentation correction. With precise wavelengths (532nm, 785nm, and 1064nm), this device is highly effective in treating dark spots, uneven tone, and sun damage.
Why it’s great:
- Pico mode allows for targeted pigment removal with reduced downtime.
- Versatile handpieces enable treatments tailored to different pigmentation concerns.
- Safe for Fitzpatrick skin types III to IV, making it inclusive for diverse clients.
Whether clients are addressing long-standing pigmentation or newly developed sun damage, Helios 785 offers visible improvements with minimal recovery time.
OptiGlow LED: Gentle Healing and Pigment Support
For clients seeking a non-invasive option, LED therapy with OptiGlow LED is a perfect choice. By using multi-wavelength light therapy, this device calms inflammation, reduces redness, and supports the skin’s natural healing processes.
Best wavelengths for pigmentation:
- Infrared light (850nm) for advanced wound healing and skin restoration.
- Blue light (417nm) to reduce inflammation caused by acne or irritation.
- Red light (633nm) to stimulate collagen production and improve skin tone.
OptiGlow LED is particularly effective as a complementary treatment to lasers or microneedling, enhancing results and reducing downtime.
Step 3: Customising a Treatment Plan
Every client’s skin is unique, and their pigmentation treatment plan should reflect that. Here’s how to approach it:
- Conduct a thorough consultation: Understand their skin history, lifestyle, and pigmentation triggers.
- Create a personalised plan: Combine treatments like SYLFIRM X or Helios 785 with LED therapy for optimal results.
- Educate on aftercare: stress the importance of sun protection and a good skincare routine to maintain their results.
By offering a tailored approach, you build trust and deliver results that clients will rave about.
How we can help
Pigmentation doesn’t have to be permanent, and with the right devices, your clinic can deliver life-changing results. SYLFIRM X, Helios 785, and OptiGlow LED are just a few of the advanced technologies available through Laseraid’s flexible subscription device plans.
Let us help you grow your clinic and delight your clients. From training to ongoing support, we’re here to ensure you have everything you need to succeed in 2025 and beyond.
