Are your clients aware of the importance of year-round sun protection? This winter, be sure to remind them that the sun’s rays can damage the skin every single day, no matter the weather. That’s why a high factor, broad spectrum sun protection product remains the most important step in every skincare routine, even if when it’s bitterly cold and grey outside.
No matter the season, solar radiation remains present and harmful. This includes UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin to cause DNA damage and premature ageing. There are also UVB rays, which lead to skin cell damage and sunburn (these are much stronger in the summer months but can still cause skin burning in areas of high altitude and with reflective surfaces, such as snow and ice – this is very important to note if your client is planning a winter holiday on the slopes!) Finally, visible light and infrared-A, which damage skin cells, degrade collagen and elastin, and make the skin dry and dehydrated. Each type of radiation impacts on the skin negatively, with the most concerning result being irreparable DNA damage leading to skin cancer. But another symptom of sun exposure is hyperpigmentation, which many of your clients may be experiencing. So how can it best be treated?
What is hyperpigmentation?
Pigmentation disorders affect many people, with some of the most common types being pigmented birthmarks, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and vitiligo1. Pigmentation is typically harmless; however, it can be a sign of underlying medical conditions. And in the case of hyperpigmentation, it is a sign of deep damage to the skin.
Hyperpigmentation is the result of exposure to the sun. That’s because higher levels of melanin, the pigment that produces different skin, hair and eye colours, is produced when the sun hits our skin. As well as determining our colouring and whether we have freckles, melanin absorbs UV rays to protect our skin. It is usually dispersed evenly throughout the body and consistent levels are produced. However, when it’s sunny, our skin produces a little more melanin as a protective mechanism. This is what gives us a short-term suntan. But prolonged or excessive sun exposure produces too much melanin, leading to long-lasting discolouration, also known as hyperpigmentation. This can appear anywhere on the body, but is most common on the face and hands, as these areas are frequently exposed to the sun.
How can we treat pigmentation?
As you know, there are several treatment options for pigmentation, including topical acids, retinoids, peels, IPL, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion2. These work in several ways, but the main goal is to encourage new skin cell growth to make the skin smoother and more evenly toned. The most intensive treatments will completely remove the top layer of skin and penetrate deep into the dermis for even better results.
No matter the course of action your client chooses for pigmentation, they mustn’t forget that daily sun protection is essential – particularly post-treatment when the skin is in a more vulnerable state. That’s because the single best way to prevent new or worsening hyperpigmentation is to protect the skin from the sun, every single day.
How Heliocare 360° Pigment Solution Fluid works
Every professional clinic should understand the power of Heliocare 360°, including our amazing Heliocare 360°, Pigment Solution Fluid, an innovative formulation with a 100% success rate* when it comes to reducing hyperpigmentation.
Part of the award-winning Heliocare 360° range, our Pigment Solution Fluid offers high-level protection against the sun’s harmful rays, along with the addition of powerful ingredients to prevent and correct sun-induced hyperpigmentation. Ideal for Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV, this light and silky fluid treats pigmentation disorders including melasma and pigmented lesions, as well as being the perfect sun protection product for clients undoing treatment for pigmentation.
Heliocare 360° Pigment Solution Fluid has an innovative, dual-action depigmenting system that works in tandem to prevent the overproduction of melanin. First, niacinamide, which inhibits the transfer of melanin. Secondly, ellagic acid, which reduces melanin synthesis. A subtle nude tint also helps to blur blemishes and even out the skin tone, offering immediate correction.
As with every product in the range, our Pigment Solution Fluid is supercharged with the patented plant extract Fernblock®. Fernblock® is clinically proven to boost the skin’s resistance to sunburn, protecting against the full radiation spectrum of UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared-A. It has also been shown to reduce free radical damage, as well as preventing and accelerating the repair of existing DNA damage, protecting the skin from deep within. Other skin-loving ingredients include vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea extract, making for a truly powerful and nourishing sun protection range.
To find out more about Heliocare 360° and its amazing ingredients, join us at one of our upcoming ‘Introduction to Heliocare’ webinars, where you can find out more about the range from our expert team.
Join our latest Heliocare Campaign
You can also join us in our latest campaign: Beyond Sunscreen. Beyond Summer. Our current marketing campaign is a great way to deliver the message of year-round sun protection to your clients, generating awareness, engagement and sales for your clinic. Our campaigns feature everything you need to make the campaign a success in your clinic, including dynamic marketing material, merchandising and digital content. To get involved, register now via the AESTHETICARE Academy or get in touch with your Business Development Manager.
*Based on clinical examinations carried out by the dermatologist, 100% of volunteers observed some degree of improvement, are satisfied with the product and showed excellent tolerance.
References
1 Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Skin Discoloration & Pigmentation Disorders: Causes & Treatments. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11014-pigmentation-abnormal-pigmentation.
2 Cherney, K. (2018). 8 Treatment Options for Hyperpigmentation. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/hyperpigmentation-treatment.
