Treating your melanated skin with the care you deserve

Melanated skin requires finesse with skincare products, injectables and medspa services.

Melanin is found in almost every animal on the planet.  It’s a pigment created by cells in the body called melanocytes.  Simply put, it’s nature’s paint.  It is the reason for the color of your hair, your skin, your irises.  It’s the vibrant color of a bird’s feathers, and the shimmering hue of a fish’s scales.  Though there are many different types of melanin, these 3 are the most common:  

1. 1. Eumelanin is the most common and is brownish in color
   2. Pheomelanin creates a reddish-brown color and is the reason for freckles and red hair. 
   3. Neuromelanin is found in the brain, and it’s so magical we still don’t know what its function is or why it’s there!

Different skin tones have evolved to interact differently with their environment by either producing larger or smaller melanocytes within skin cells. The smaller the melanocyte, the less melanin is produced. The larger the melanocyte, the more melanin is produced. This is why people with darker skin tones tend to be more sensitive to experiencing hyperpigmentation. 

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is characterized by darker, deeper skin tones in acute areas caused by factors like injury, inflammation, sun exposure, chemical reactions from products, heat or exposure to certain light frequencies- from a laser for example.  

Hyperpigmentation and melasma can take away from an even complexion, which is a pain point for many of our clients. It’s important for people whose skin tones are more melanated, to take care and due diligence before enduring certain skin treatments like chemical peels or laser treatments for hair or tattoo removal, skin tightening and more. 

Many times, treatments are performed without considering what is best for melanated skin. It’s a fine balance to finesse the modalities that are strong enough to treat a person’s skin, without tipping off the body’s response to producing melanin local to the treatment area. At Urban Medspa, this balance is our mission. We help people of all skin tones and types to understand what products and treatment modalities are best for them since not all products and technologies are created equally.

How can I prevent Hyperpigmentation? 

Many things can cause it, so it’s important to have a well-rounded understanding of how to treat your skin to avoid unnecessary hyperpigmentation. 

• • Wear sunscreen- like our Urban Skin Rx Complexion Protection.  It’s mattifying so it won’t leave an oily sheen or a white film, and has a higher SPF to protect the skin from the sun’s rays.
  • Get a good skincare routine happening! The more you can support the health of your skin, the better off you’ll be. Plus, the small injury and inflammation caused by breakouts can cause darkened regions.
  • Don’t pick. If you do experience a breakout, try not to squeeze it, and let it pass naturally. 
  • Be gentle! Scrapes and bruises can contribute.
  • Talk to a qualified clinician who understands melanated skin before you try new products, technologies or injectables for your skin.

How can I treat Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is so common, which has led to the discovery of many effective treatments. If you’re past the prevention stage and in need of some resolution, there are a handful of solutions for you! There are topical treatments, like our Urban Skin Super C serum, which can be used as a spot treatment for regular care of mild hyperpigmentation. In more chronic or widespread cases, medspa services offer myriad alternatives to bring back a more even skin tone anywhere on the body. These treatments include

• • Microneedling
  • Some facials 
  • Chemical peels
  • Eventone injections
  • Clear + Briilliant & Perméa fraxel laser treatments
  • Picosend laser treatment

Melanin is a blessing that protects your skin from sun damage, premature ageing and even skin cancer. A shield of youth and health. With that comes the management of the increased likelihood of an uneven skin tone. It’s important to consult a qualified medspa clinician in order to have your skin assessed so that you can find both the short-term and long-term solutions that will help you achieve a healthy, happy and even skin tone. Visit us to experience what over 10 years of melanin-educated, medical-grade excellence can do for you.