Peel Good

Being in the industry for over 13 years, Lourette du Toit, practice manager at Dermology Aesthetic Laser and Skin Clinic, shares her insight on the world of Cosmelan skin-peel treatments.

- Lourette Du Toit

THE ORIGIN OF COSMELAN

Originally from Spain, Cosmelan is the world’s leading professional depigmenting procedure that corrects and regulates hyperpigmentation. This procedure delivers short-term and long-term results, even when treating melasma.

The at-home products contain the same ingredients (such as kojic, phytic, azelaic and ascorbic acids, arbutin, and titanium dioxide) as the peel applied to your skin in the practice, just not as strong, which makes it safe for long-term use. It’s a very effective depigmentation method for all skin types and can be used on multiple areas of the body and face.

THE CAUSE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO WOMEN OF COLOUR

There are many different types of hyperpigmentation, and they’re all caused by different or a combination of internal or external factors. Melanocytes are the cells deep in our epidermis that produce melanin, which is responsible for our skin colour and protects us against UV light. However, the melanocyte doesn’t always function as expected. Sometimes, an overproduction of melanin can be seen on the skin in the form of freckles, sun damage and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). As melanin production is regulated by a specific hormone in your pituitary gland, it can also get affected when the hormone levels go through changes like pregnancy and breastfeeding. This will cause an overproduction of melanin and the very familiar brown/grey patches visible on the skin, known as melasma.

Keep in mind that our bodies use melanin as a natural defence mechanism. When we’re in the sun, we go darker (tan). But, this is our melanocytes producing more melanin to protect the skin against the harmful UV rays.