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Peeling for pigmentation – Cosmelan and Dermamelan
Abnormal pigmentation is a very common skin complaint. Even the pigment cells can become damaged; when they are damaged they do what they know best – make pigment!! Sun, hormones, pregnancy, stress, trauma and ageing are all features that can result in abnormal pigmentation. Darker skins, mixed race skins and oriental skins are more prone to pigmentation and must be treated cautiously to avoid more pigmentation.
For this type of skin, Cosmelan or Dermamelan is advised. Cosmelan and Dermamelan are both depigmenting and skin rejuvenating treatments that originated in Spain. The well-known Amelan is now known as Dermamelan; Cosmelan is slightly softer. Both will achieve excellent results if followed as recommended.
The only way that pigment can be removed from the skin is by the natural exfoliation of the skin; for the treatment to be successful, further pigmentation must be prevented.
Cosmelan and Dermamelan treatments are a combination of both; exfoliation and prevention of further pigmentation. Cosmelan can be used in its full strength as Cosmelan 1 and 2, and in a more gentle manner with Cosmelan soft.
Cosmelan 1 and 2 is a softer version of the original Amelan treatment and involves the application of the Cosmelan mask for up to ten hours. This mask is yellow in colour and has to be removed at home. The next day the skin is quite red and a little swollen, and a healing cream is applied. The following day, Cosmelan 2 cream is started which stops any further pigmentation. The Cosmelan 2 contains many pigment inhibitors, plus the anti-ageing retinoic acid cream and several other soothing ingredients. By applying Cosmelan 2 at this stage enables the skin to peel off, taking much pigmentation with it, and preventing further colour build-up.
Cosmelan 2 needs to be applied regularly for up to one year for reliable results. It is well worth the effort since the skin becomes younger, fresher and without pigmentation in 95% of cases. The sun should be avoided since it is the major stimulation of pigment and ageing factor of the skin.
The skin may remain red and flaky for about four days, so this must be remembered when planning treatment.
Dermamelan is a similar treatment but for more ingrained pigmentation. The protocol is the same as is the requirement for maintenance cream. Because it contains a higher percentage of active ingredients it is slightly more aggressive.
For those that so not wish to be red and flaky, Cosmelan 2 (the maintenance cream) can be applied after a more gentle mandelic acid peel. The peel is performed every three or four weeks and Cosmelan 2 is applied up to 3 times a day as a routine. In this case the results will appear slower than with the full-on Cosmelan 1 and 2, but nevertheless will be worthwhile.
Combination Vitamin Facial
This is our creation – unique to our clinic.
By combining several different techniques we address the underlying causes and outward signs of skin ageing. Moreover, there are no worries about redness or bruising because the techniques are so gentle.
We start off by cleaning the face, then performing a gentle peel. The strength of the peel depends on your needs and can range from the 10% glycolic acid mask to a 70% glycolic acid or 40% mandelic acid peel. This is then washed off.
A nappage of vitamins, minerals and the hydrating element hyaluronic acid is gently applied to the skin. Nappage means a gentle pricking technique which really does not hurt. With each prick, a droplet of nourishing solution is left behind in the papillary dermis, the area where collagen formation takes place.
After the vitamin facial the skin is bathed in red light and pulsed electromagnetic field, the BEMER device. Visible red light is known for its immune stimulating and healing properties and is incredibly relaxing. A therapeutic pulsed electromagnetic field enhances the microcirculation and again stimulates the immune system. Not well known in the UK, the BEMER device is used by many European physicians to assist healing and improve sports performance.
The combination vitamin facial finishes with an application of moisturizing cream (and SPF).Make-up may be applied but it is a shame to hide the newly-acquired glow, a sign of things to come.
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