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Melasma Hyperpigmentation: Causes & Best Treatments

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Hyperpigmentation and Melasma are two of the most common skin conditions that cause skin pigmentation and discolouration, but they are not the same condition.

Hyperpigmentation is a very broad diagnosis for any type of skin condition that causes discoloured or darkened skin. Common causes are sun damage, acne scarring and inflammation.

Hyperpigmentation can appear as freckles, dark spots, sun spots or large fark areas and vary in severity from covering small areas of the face to much larger areas.

What is melasma?

Melasma is actually a very common pigmentation disorder that appears as brown or even grey coloured patches upon the face. Women are more likely to be affected than men.

You are most likely to see melasma on the upper lip, cheeks, forehead, or bridge of the nose but it can also appear on the shoulders, neck, and forearms.

What causes Melasma?

The cause of melasma on face can be tricky to determine but it is thought to occur when the colour making cells in the skin known as melanocytes produce too much colour.

There are known triggers for melasma, the most common being a change in hormones which can occur during pregnancy, but other factors include:

  • Birth control medication
  • Skin care products
  • Sun exposure
  • Genetics

You are also more likely to be affected by melasma if you are from an Asian, middle eastern, Mediterranean, African, Indian, or Latin descent with darker skin tones.

Do I have melasma?

Melasma can be diagnosed following a consultation with either a doctor or dermatologist. They may take a biopsy which involves removing a very small section of skin which will then be examined in a lab.

As melasma is commonly misdiagnosed as other skin hyperpigmentation conditions it is best to get a proper diagnosis before trying to treat melasma.

How is melasma treated?

In most cases, especially if the melasma is as a result of hormonal changes due to birth control medication or pregnancy then it will gradually fade once you give birth or stop taking birth control.

If melasma is showing no sign of fading, then there are treatments available to help remove or fade the patches.

Melasma and Hyperpigmentation treatments

Obagi

We have a great range of products available at our clinics and after a consultation with one of our skin specialists, they will be able to recommend a great treatment plan to help reduce the appearance of melasma. The Obagi Nu-Derm system is a great prescription treatment option and best treatment for melasma on face. The Nu-Derm system is a complete skin care system that uses prescription strength hydroquinone that is formulated to target skin discoloration and help you achieve a more healthier looking and even skin tone.

Chemical Peel

We have a wide range of skin peel treatments available which can be customised to address your skin type and any skin concerns including melasma. Chemical peel treatments work by helping to remove skin cells that contain excess pigment to achieve a brighter and more even skin tone.

Other treatments include microdermabrasion which can be used in combination with the treatments above to help to achieve the best results and maintain them with regular treatment.

Laser treatments such as the Pearl Laser Resurfacing treatment can be used to treat melasma however in some cases it can make it worse so a thorough assessment of the skin would need to be carried out ahead of treatment. In most

How to avoid Melasma and Hyperpigmentation?

Taking care of your skin is the best way to avoid melasma and hyperpigmentation. This includes wearing sun cream everyday and avoiding excessive sun exposure.

Hyperpigmentation melasma treatment at The Private Clinic

To find out more about our treatments for hyperpigmentation and melasma, contact us on 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form.

Treatment clinics are located in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Northampton.

Breast Reduction – Emily

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Emily is 22 years old and had a bilaterial breast reduction with Medical Director, Mr Adrian Richards at the Shelburne Hospital.

Watch Emily’s video and find out more about her reasons for deciding on surgery and how it has changed her life.

I don’t have any body hangs ups now, I feel very confident again and can wear whatever I like.

Emily had always struggled with the size of her large breasts as they weighed heavily on her back.  This impacted on her enjoyment of taking part in certain sports and choosing clothes to wear.

She spoke with many people before deciding on the surgery to make sure she got lots of information and advice.  The team at the Paddocks clinic in Princes Risborough made her feel calm and relaxed and she feels she made the right decision for her.

Book a consultation today

*All of our patient stories are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual body shapes and results. Please bear in mind that result s may vary from person to person. All testimonies are provided voluntarily by our patients and clients. Their comments have not been altered in any way, and their experiences are their own.

Vaser Liposuction Gynecomastia – Alex

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Alex Clair is a patient co-ordinator at The Private Clinic in Manchester.

Back in 2017, Alex weighed 19 stone and was feeling un-confident and unhappy with his appearance.  Over the next 7 months Alex lost 4 stone and completely changed his body shape through eating healthier foods and exercising more. But despite this huge achievement, he was still feeling unhappy with his appearance, this time because of another reason.

Gynecomastia is a common condition that can affect 15% of adult men in the UK. After losing weight, Alex found his chest not reducing in size which led him to believe he was suffering with gynecomastia or ‘man boobs’ and started to look for a way to help him reduce the size of his chest.

“After having a stern word with myself I managed to change my eating habits and join a Strength and Conditioning Gym (Bury Strength and Conditioning). Over 7 Months I lost 4 stone and completely changed my body shape. But, still I was left with ‘Moobs’ every man’s nightmare! This is when I looked further into VASER Liposuction.”

Vaser Liposuction is often the preferred choice for men looking to reduce the size of their chest. The recovery time is minimal compared to other surgical procedures and the procedure is performed as a day-case meaning you are able to go home and recover afterwards in the luxury of your own home and surroundings.

Having been working at The Private Clinic for a short while, Alex had seen plenty of happy patients having Vaser Liposuction week after week which helped Alex to decide that this was the procedure for him.

Alex booked in for a consultation with Dr Jacobus Adriaan Vlok. During the consultation Dr Vlok informed Alex of what the procedure involved on a step-by-step basis. He checked the areas that Alex wanted treated to make sure he wouldn’t be creating loose skin which is better treated by a surgical option. Dr Vlok also went through the risks and side effects of the procedure making Alex feel reassured that he was in safe hands and fully aware of everything that could happen.

“I felt so at ease with Dr Vlok and I wouldn’t have gone with any other surgeon. I opted for VASER Liposuction as the idea of a GA (General Anaesthetic) or Sedation worries me as I am a natural worrier and I like to be in control. Having this procedure under LA (Local Anaesthetic) and the less downtime was very appealing to someone like me.”

In the months leading up to his procedure Alex continued to work hard on ensuring his body was the best it could be and although he felt very nervous he was ready to get rid of the area of his body that he had felt self-conscious of for so long and finally start to appreciate the body that he had worked so hard for and put the effort in to achieve.

“This was a part of my body I had hated for so long! I just wanted it gone and over and done with.”

On the day of the procedure Alex met with Dr Vlok to go over any last questions and queries before being taken down to the theatre to be marked up by Dr Vlok before starting the procedure. Vaser Liposuction was performed to Alex’s chest and underarm area.

Later on in the day, Alex arrived back home following his procedure.

“I was feeling quite sleepy, tired and slightly painful. The 3 nights after were a struggle to sleep as I normally sleep on my front but this had to change for my back. I got a V shaped pillow which made this easier to sleep and the pain relief tablets I was provided really helped. Id personally says it was more discomfort than physical pain.”

Overall Alex found the recovery process smooth once he had gotten used to his new sleeping position and wearing the compression garment.

“After Vaser Liposuction you are given a compression garment to wear; I won’t lie, it was slightly uncomfortable for the first few days until my stitches came out and id gotten used to it but then after the first week I never wanted to take it off. I even considered wearing it longer than needed if I went on a night out to give me more shape!”

Alex had originally lost 4 stone over 7 months by living a healthier and more active lifestyle. Once recovered from the Vaser procedure Alex was pleased to find out that overall he had dropped a dress size from a XXXL TOP to an M/L and from a trousers size of 40 to a 32 and was ecstatic with his results and relieved that he finally felt like himself again.

We asked Alex how this procedure has changed him;

“This procedure has changed me for life! I can finally feel confident to take my top off on holiday and can comfortably wear t-shirts without having to hide in black baggy tops! It’s completely changed my look; it’s made me love me more.”

“I could not recommend this procedure enough to anyone and everyone. I show everyone my before and after pictures and explain the full procedure. This affects men all shapes and sizes.  I’ve seen slim men, buff men and plus size men with these issues it’s not something to hide away from – something can be done! Be the best you and do it! – It’s 1hour and 15 mins of my life that I will never forget as it’s changed my life.”

Book a consultation today

*All of our patient stories are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual body shapes and results. Please bear in mind that result s may vary from person to person. All testimonies are provided voluntarily by our patients and clients. Their comments have not been altered in any way, and their experiences are their own.

Varicose Veins – Jen

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Jen had been feeling insecure about her legs for a long time but since she noticed varicose veins starting to appear she has felt even worse as no amount of diet or exercise was going to reduce the appearance of them.

“For every girl displaying their perfect pins on Instagram, there’s me hoping they don’t show or hiding them away.”

Jen had varicose veins on both of her legs with her left knee being the most prominent, this was the one she wanted to focus on first with the aim of getting her right leg treated too if successful.

It wasn’t just the physical appearance of the veins that bothered Jen. She found herself feeling uncomfortable and her legs feeling heavy if she had spent the day on her feet. Jen also experienced itching and discomfort around the vein on a regular basis too.

Jen initially went to see her GP to try and find out the cause of her varicose veins but the usual causes did not apply to her which left her feeling even more helpless.

“It’s usually related to pregnancy, being overweight (sure, I’d like to lose a few pounds but not so much so that I would fall into this category) or spending a lot of time on your feet. None of which apply to me and can’t be the cause. So why it’s happened to me, I don’t know.”

Although Jen tried not to let her varicose veins determine what she did and didn’t feel comfortable wearing she did find; especially in the summer months her fear of wearing a dress without tights particularly frustrating.

“You won’t find me in a short dress that exposes them (not without tights) jeans or trousers are usually my friend. Which has made heatwave dressing a challenge!”

Jen decided that the time had come to finally do something about her troublesome varicose veins and came to visit us at our Harley Street Clinic to find out more about our range of varicose vein treatments including EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation).

“I met with Mr Rittoo who immediately made me feel at ease. He explained the procedure and that it’s a fairly simple and quick – It’s walk-in, walk-out so minimal drama around it.  Which is good, I am of course nervous – as I think is normal having any sort of medical treatment really. But overall I’m really excited. I know I’m in great hands with The Private Clinic who have a long history of treating varicose veins.”

Jen went ahead with an EVLA procedure to treat the underlying causes of varicose veins and a micro phlebectomy to treat the visible branch varicose veins.

“Mr Rittoo – who saw me for my consultation, operation and follow up – plus his team were all fantastic. In particular the nursing staff too, who were very caring and comforting when was having a bit of a nervous wobble on the operation table.”

The procedure itself doesn’t take long and Jen was able to leave the clinic shortly afterwards once she was feeling ready to do so and soon enough Jen was back to work and her usual activities although taking a bit easier than usual of course.

“No-one would have noticed had I not mentioned it myself”

Jen is now four months post-procedure as is feeling really happy with the results of her EVLA treatment and despite some incision marks still being visible she is much more comfortable about exposing them.

“I am really delighted when I look at my leg and no longer see the varicose vein there that made me feel so insecure. I can’t wait until next summer when the small incision marks that remain will hopefully be all healed and I can wear shorts without feeling like an awkward turtle.  I would 100% return to The Private Clinic for the same treatment again and would trust them to take good care of me for that second leg.”

To read more about Jen’s Varicose Vein treatment story you can read her blog here.

Book a consultation today

*All of our patient stories are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual body shapes and results. Please bear in mind that result s may vary from person to person. All testimonies are provided voluntarily by our patients and clients. Their comments have not been altered in any way, and their experiences are their own.

Tummy Tuck – Esther

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Esther is 55 years old and had tummy tuck surgery with The Private Clinic.

Watch Esther’s video and find out more about her reasons for deciding on surgery and how it has changed her life.

I wear my jeans with confidence now as I have a flat stomach.  It’s really changed my life.

Esther had previously had a number of surgeries for medical reasons which left her with scars on her abdomen.  She felt unhappy with their appearance and the excess skin on her tummy.

Esther did lots of research on her procedure and on her surgeon.  She visited  our Harley Street clinic three times prior to deciding to progress to surgery.  She feels so much better about her body and can confidently wear a bikini on the beach and feel happy that the scars that impacted her so much are no longer affecting her.

Book a consultation today

*All of our patient stories are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual body shapes and results. Please bear in mind that result s may vary from person to person. All testimonies are provided voluntarily by our patients and clients. Their comments have not been altered in any way, and their experiences are their own.

The Benefits of Thermage: Skin Tightening and Skin Lifting in a Single Treatment

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Thermage® CPT is a pioneering non-surgical skin treatment that addresses the visible signs of ageing in a matter of minutes. In just one 30-minute treatment session, it helps to smooth, tighten and contour the skin for a completely refreshed and rejuvenated look. It is most well-known for its ability to produce long-lasting and completely natural-looking results without any invasive surgery or downtime. This has made it popular with a wealth of celebrities including Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow, who all favour the treatment for its understated yet impactful results.

Thermage: Skin Tightening & Skin Lifting in one

Another key factor that makes the treatment so popular is that it does two transformational actions at once; it both tightens and firms the skin’s texture while also generating a natural three-dimensional lift. This has made it ideal for patients who want to lift loose and sagging areas of skin across their face for example, like sagging skin across the cheeks or jowls, while also tightening up the skin’s texture so that wrinkles, deep crevices and uneven skin tone can be smoothed, firmed and tightened.

Thermage CPT® Treatment Benefits

As one of the world’s leading skin tightening and lifting treatments, Thermage can:

  • Create tighter, smoother looking skin
  • Soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Reduce the appearance of jowls
  • Lift sagging skin
  • Tighten uneven skin
  • Reduce the appearance of deep-set pores
  • Reduce scowl lines
  • Minimise the appearance of crow’s feet
  • Soften forehead lines
  • Reduce acne scars
  • Contour the shape of the jawline


What areas can Thermage lift and tighten?

Thermage stands out against other non-surgical treatments because it can lift and tighten skin across both the face and body. Thermage uses thermal radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat the deep collagen-rich layers of the skin’s dermis. This stimulating energy kickstarts the body’s own cell renewal process, resulting in firmer and more lifted skin that radiates strength, tautness and luminosity. Thermage has been designed to lift and tighten skin around the face, eyes and neck area, but it can also be used to provide a visible lift to areas of the body like the stomach (abdomen), arms, butt and knees. Thermage can lift and tighten skin across:

  • The face (upper and lower)
  • Eyelids (with Thermage Eyes)
  • Undereye area (with Thermage Eyes)
  • Forehead
  • Jowls
  • Jawline
  • Cheeks
  • Neck
  • Décolletage (chest area) – the ‘Turkey Neck’
  • Stomach (abdomen)
  • Arms – ‘Bingo wings’
  • Knees
  • Buttocks
  • Thighs
  • Wrinkled hands


How does Thermage tighten the skin? 

The Thermage Skin Tightening process

As we age, collagen proteins in our skin begin to gradually deplete. Collagen is a central component of the connective tissues in our skin, so when it starts to break down over time, our skin loses its elasticity and strength, resulting in sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles.

Collagen works by keeping our skin tissues taut and connected; it acts exactly like a foundational structure, so when it starts to break down, our skin droops and sags with it, as it doesn’t have a well-formed structural skeleton like it had before. This is why deep-set wrinkles start to appear, and our pores appear larger than they once were.

Collagen contraction – immediate skin tightening 

Thermage corrects this process by using radiofrequency (RF) technology to heat up the collagen strands that already exist in the skin’s dermis layer. It uses a cooling tip device to maximise patient comfort while the heating process is occurring. This applied heat energy then separates water molecules from the fibrous collagen, causing a three-dimensional contraction of the collagen protein. This contraction generates an instant tightening of the collagen structures, which immediately restores strength to the skin’s connective tissues. Skin is tightened and firmed immediately, as the collagen layers continually remodel themselves over time for the next stage of the skin renewal process. As a result, wrinkles are smoothed out and the appearance of large pores are reduced as the skin tightens up. The lines and crevices that appeared before are reduced as skin laxity is directly treated through this advanced tightening process.


How does Thermage lift the skin?

The Thermage Skin Lifting process

After an initial tightening of the skin, Thermage works in a continuously uplifting way by remodelling collagen tissues and encouraging new ones to build. Once the initial Thermage treatment has taken place, skin will feel firmer and tighter as the existing collagen stores contract. Then, over the following few months, new collagen structures will grow to further tighten and lift the skin over time.

Collagen reproduction – gradual skin lifting

Thermage’s advanced radiofrequency heat energy doesn’t just stimulate collagen contraction while the treatment takes place. The heat energy acts as a catalyst for a new cell regeneration process that replenishes the skin with fresh collagen stores. The body responds to the heat stimulation energy afterwards by activating a secondary healing response that deposits new collagen proteins in the connective skin tissues of the skin. Existing collagen stores are also continually remodelled as part of this process so that they provide greater strength and structural support to the surface layers of the skin.

These gradual processes work to saturate the skin with fresh and renewed collagen stores within 2 to 6 months after the Thermage treatment session. At this time, patients will notice a visible lift to areas of skin that have sagged downwards over time. Jowls will look lifted and replenished and the visible effect of sagging skin will be eradicated as the skin lifts itself back up thanks to the remodelling and reproduction of collagen proteins.

Thermage Skin Lifting and Skin Tightening Results

How soon will I notice results? 

Most patients will experience an immediate visible improvement in their skin quality. This is due to the collagen contraction process which stimulates a rapid tightening and firming of the skin. Over time, the body will naturally rebuild and renew its collagen stores, with optimal skin improvements showing through between 2 to 6 months after a single treatment. Skin will appear brighter, smoother and more luminous by this time, and results can last for years depending on your ageing process and natural skin condition. Explore our Thermage before and after photos page to see the tightening and lifting effects of this leading skin treatment.

Benefit from Thermage treatments that are delivered by world-class medically trained specialists with years of experience in non-surgical procedures.

Dr Hao Hanson Yu is one of our leading Thermage practitioners, having spent years honing his craft across a range of renowned luxury and aesthetic brands.

Non Surgical Skin Tightening at The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic is one of the leading non-invasive treatment clinics offering Thermage therapy in the UK. We also offer Thermage FLX which is the latest version of Thermage treatment which has the following benefits:

  • More comfortable treatment
  • Faster treatment time
  • Better results
  • Long lasting effects

As well as Thermage and Thermage FLX, we also offer Ultherapy treatment for non-surgical skin tightening treatment.

Ultherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound with visualisation (MFU-V) energy and is suitable for the face, neck, chin and eyebrows. Find out more here.

Why choose The Private Clinic?

As multi-award-winning aesthetics specialist with a 5-Star Trustpilot rating. We offer our patients exceptional levels of care and professionalism at our network of non-surgical skin tightening clinics in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Northampton, Buckinghamshire and Leeds.

Book a consultation for Thermage or other skin tightening treatments today by filling out our online contact form. Alternatively, you can call our contact centre directly on 0333 920 2471.