“What is skin cycling, and how can it treat hyperpigmentation?”
You’re asking the important questions, y’all! Here at Clear Skin Solutions, we achieve clear skin for our clients by applying an array of science-proven methodologies and treatments to restore your skin barrier before launching into targeted long-term care.
One of those methodologies? Skin cycling, especially when it comes to clearing up pesky pigmentation!
Here’s everything you need to know:
What is Skin Cycling?
Here at Clear Skin Solutions, we start everyone’s program with skin cycling in order to get their skin acclimated. One of the most significant ways our specialists do this is, by cycling in and out tyrosine inhibitors (AKA a powerful active ingredient that is part of a skin brightening, scar reducing, tone boosting regime) to help the skin adjust and milk the maximum benefits from each ingredient, enacting a proven way to see long-term results without inadvertently damaging your skin barrier.
Tyrosine inhibitors work to slow down melanin production: since melasma is triggered by heat and using products chock-full of active ingredients can over-stimulate the skin, these inhibitors ensure that skin isn’t overstimulated, making it a crucial part of the skin cycling process.
Oftentimes when skincare lovers start a new (or “improved”) at-home regimen without the guidance of a skincare expert, they pile on too many active ingredients too quickly and too frequently. The result? A damaged skin barrier that yields itchy, agitated, and a decidedly not-clear complexion.
Skin cycling circumvents this common problem by giving the skin time to rest. By following the common four-night skin cycling plan (while everyone’s skin is different, an example of a common four-night cycling plan may be exfoliation on the first night, retinoids on the second night, and no-active recovery on nights three and four before resetting) skin cells can reap the benefits of active ingredients without becoming overwhelmed.
At Clear Skin Solutions, we insist on skin cycling throughout your acne journey; this includes a focus on pigmentation that can stem from acne scars and inflammation. If we began your journey with treating the skin with active ingredients before getting your skin barrier in tip-top shape, you’ll never see long-term change. Remember: “repair, repair, repair” is the “location, location, location” of skincare!
This method doesn’t just give your skin the time it needs to repair itself after the use of certain products; it is the safest and quickest way (without the use of traditional pigmentation treatments or medications) to scale up or down the strength of your active ingredients to not just get clear–but also keep pigment from forming. Plus, if you have acne y’all should know that our products don’t just help with pigmentation… thanks to them keeping your skin barrier intact via a one-two punch of hydration and thorough production acclimation, you’ll see your acne progressively improve!
Skin Cycling and Hyperpigmentation
Before we delve into how skin cycling can reduce hyperpigmentation (and prevent further unevenness and acne breakouts), let’s first cover exactly what hyperpigmentation means.
As a common skin condition, hyperpigmentation refers to dark or reddened patches of skin. While hyperpigmentation can occur anywhere on the body, it is most commonly seen on the face.
Hyperpigmentation is frequently triggered by bruises, acne, rashes, burns, and other inflammatory trauma to skin. The main types of hyperpigmentation are:
- Melasma: Characterized by large patches of darkened skin on the forehead, face, and/or stomach, melasma is common in those taking birth control or who are pregnant.
- Sun or age spots: Sun spots (otherwise known as “age spots”) are brown, black, or tan spots, freckled across parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and erythema: Last but certainly not least, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and erythema is commonly triggered by eczema or acne. It comes in the form of spots or patches of darkened skin anywhere on the body.
By layering proper ingredients in the right order and quality formulations to minimize melanin production (the process of skin cells that dictate our skin pigmentation), skin cycling–when done under the watchful eye of a skincare professional–works to both mitigate existing hyperpigmentation and protect your complexion against developing it in the future.
At Clear Skin Solutions, we recommend pairing skin cycling with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments to ensure long-term results. For all-area coverage, we also offer the Skin Rejuvenation YAG laser to precisely treat visible blood vessels, broken capillaries, spider veins, and discoloration. Both options are fast, painless, and tout zero downtime. Each achieve the same results with different strengths, so the laser used on your skin will be determined by your Skin Therapist.
Other Benefits of Skin Cycling
While skin cycling is particularly effective for treating hyperpigmentation, that doesn’t mean its benefits end there.
Due to your skin barrier protecting you from harsh chemicals, infections, and allergens, ensuring that it stays healthy and intact is crucial–which is exactly what skin cycling does. Thanks to this, this at-home skincare method works to target a wide range of common concerns, all the way from acne to visible signs of aging.
Skin cycling plays a crucial role in our Virtual Acne Skin Program, In-Clinic Acne Program, and In-Clinic Pro-Aging Program. These programs are for you if:
- You’re tired of feeling as though everyone is staring and judging your skin
- You’re tired of holding yourself back in life due to the crushing lack of self-confidence that comes with acne or visible signs of aging
- You’ve tried “everything” (from products to treatments) and you’re still struggling with breakouts and other skincare concerns
- You don’t want to accept acne or visible signs of aging for life and are willing to trust our clear skin process
When you choose Clear Skin Solutions, your assigned Skin Therapist will incorporate a deep-dive into your skin’s history and primary concerns in order to formulate a tailored skin cycling routine for you… as well as be right there with you (whether it be virtually or in-person) to walk you through every step of your skin journey.
Ready to witness the power of skin cycling first-hand? Reach out today to get the ball rolling!