Taking Control of Tyrosinase
When your body produces melanin, it’s sending a signal it has detected trouble. Whether your skin is scarred from deep acne or has been damaged by ultraviolet light, that process stimulates your body’s tyrosinase enzymes into action.
For the uninitiated, tyrosinase enzymes carry pigment from inside your body to the skin’s surface, resulting in darker pigment. For some, this shows up as a tan or as a brown spot. Think of the pigmentation response as a defense mechanism to protect your body’s largest organ.
So how can you take control of tyrosinase and maintain even, healthy looking skin? One way is to prevent sun damage by using a good sunscreen. But if other factors lead to brown spots, using a tyrosinase inhibitor to keep tyrosinase cells calm and at bay might be the answer. Built into peels and products targeting uneven skin tone, tyrosinase inhibitors are often recommended by dermatologists and aestheticians as an effective treatment.
If you’re dealing with overactive pigment production Midwest Dermatology recommends a trip to our aesthetician Kimberly Niebur at Midwest DERMaesthetics. Kimberly can take you through a series of different peel procedure options (see below) and set you up with Even Tone Correcting Serum by SkinBetter Science. This combination approach has been found to offer the best outcome in the treatment of brown spots and uneven skin tone.
Our Pigment Balancing Peel, containing 40% glycolic acid, 10% citric acid, 27% vitamin C and 4% emblica is a superficial peel that targets hyperpigmentation to brighten and even out skin. It’s on the lighter end of the peel spectrum with only one to three days needed for recovery. Like most peels, the Pigment Balancing Peel takes commitment and requires a series of peels to achieve maximum results.
Our New Advanced Corrective Peel by SkinCeuticals is another approach with deeper penetration that can give even better results. This peel is the real deal with 14% salicylic acid, 14% lactic acid, and 10% phenylethyl resorcinol. Because this peel is stronger, more recovery – five to seven days – is recommended. Patients should be prepared for active peeling during that time, followed by the healthy glow of new, fresh skin afterward.
The good news is that both these peels are safe for most Fitzpatrick scale, or skin pigment level type, except that we cannot do Advanced Corrective Peels on a Fitz 6. The Fitzpatrick scale measures the level of the pigment in skin. The experts at Midwest Dermatology and DERMaesthetics evaluate your Fitzpatrick scale level at every treatment to ensure that your skin does not hyper pigment or turn a lighter shade after treatment. All peel patients must use daily sunscreen following treatment. Unprotected fresh, new skin can be further damaged if it’s exposed to any type of ultraviolet type.
On the skincare product side, SkinBetter Science is not just any “medical grade” skin care line. This product line is hand-selected by our dermatologists because it’s a scientifically proven line backed by technology and research. Our doctors are convinced that if you are willing to make the commitment, SkinBetter Science products are among the best non-prescription products available.
One special product, Even Skin Tone Correcting Serum, is actually a Tyrosinase Inhibitor. Tyrosinase Inhibitor products reduce the body’s Tyrosinase enzymes from over stimulating and helps prevent the overproduction of pigment in the skin. Even Tone Correcting Serum will not completely stop this process from happening as the scar or pigment is there as a protective mechanism to stop harm to the skin. Instead, it works to slow down the process and ensure that a minimum amount of melanin needed to protect the skin is released.
It’s important to realize that the darker the scar, the longer it will take to fade. So, if Midwest Dermatology can stop it from being darker from the start, then it is easier and quicker to fix. Tyrosinase Inhibitors will correct hyperpigmentation and reduce the over production, but continued control does require continued use.
That’s because our skin has a memory. Once it’s been damaged, hyperpigmentation can return, especially if cells are left unprotected. Tyrosinase Inhibitors are not only for those who have hyperpigmentation, but also for patients who have healthy, even skin.
When it comes to prevention and treatment of dark spots, Midwest Dermatology specialists recommend a consultation with Kimberly to discuss your home care regiment and get you set up with Even Tone Correcting Serum. Kimberly will talk with you about your concerns and expectations and show you how a commitment and plan can help you achieve your skincare goals.
To schedule a consult or treatment with Kimberly, call (402) 933-0800 or book your appointment at www.midwestderm.com/book-appointment.