Why are my underarms and bikini-line discoloured and rough?
The appearance of skin discolouration in the underarm and pubic regionsare a common concern noted with Hair Removal clients. These dark patches may be accompanied by other symptoms such as irritation, rough texture, odour, or small growths.
It is important to properly diagnose the causes of your condition in order to understand the triggers and prepare a treatment plan for silky, even-toned skin.
Possible causes of skin discolouration
1| Health Factors
Although this may not be the most common cause, underlying health conditions and medications account for a large majority of the possibilities.
Health conditions:
Acanthosis – a skin condition described as dark, velvety skin, in the groin, underarms, elbows, knees, neck, or groin area
Acromegaly – a condition that causes overproduction of human growth hormone
Cushing’s Syndrome – a condition caused by an excess production or exposure to cortisol
Skin infections
Hyperthyroidism
Excessive weight
Diabete
Medications:
Insulin
Corticosteroids
Human growth hormone
Birth control
Niacin
2| Genetic Influences
Hyperpigmentation or ‘dark patches’ are most prevalent in skin tones that naturally produce higher levels of melanin.
Melanin is the pigment produced by the skin cells that provides it with colour. The amount of melanin in the skin fluctuates with sun exposure and in cases of scarring. Because darker skin tones retain and produce more melanin, they are at higher risk of developing dark patches and scars.
3| Friction
The skin’s natural response to trauma is to repair itself in the affected area by producing fresh cells to replace the damaged cells.
Repeated friction over sensitive areas of the skin due to tight or abrasive fabricscan cause micro-trauma to the skin which in turn stimulates the repair process. The skin then forms an abundance of cells over the pressure sites giving way for the appearance of dark patches, or streaks in the skin.
4. | Shaving
Shaving the bikini line and underarms can be harsh on the sensitive skin covering these areas, especially considering these areas are often populated with fast growing hair that requires frequent shaves.
When the sharp blades of the razor glide along the skin, they make just enough contact with the skin to scrape away a thin sheet of dead skin. This can cause micro trauma to the skin, triggering the repair process which then draws pigment to the area.
5. |Chemicals
Skin interaction with ingredients found in deodorant can often lead to discolouration. Aluminum compounds in deodorants keep the underarms dry by blocking the pores from excreting sweat and helps prevent odour by inhibiting the bacterial growth.
Although there are
many different contributors to this skin condition, there are also various
remedies that may provide relief. Stay tuned for Pt.2
Shop professional skincare products recommended by Dérmica! Try our Home Care Selection Guide to choose the right products to target your skin type and concerns!
Your brows point down when you wish they pointed up or sideways? 😳
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, it may be time to try the newest brow service available! But first, let’s review- is Brow Lamination safe?
Brow lamination enhances your natural brows as it sets your brows in place causing them to look thicker and fuller. After laminating, we finish the look with our signature wax and tint service, the Dérmica sculpt.
The service takes about one hour and last 4-6 weeks.
Is Brow Lamination safe for my brows?
Perm solutions have greatly improved since grandma’s time. However, exposure to some perm solutions can cause reactions to sensitive skin such as itching, redness, etc.
Trust your brows to the experts at Dérmica. Please review the service criteria before booking online.
Service criteria:
👉Hair 2 weeks of growth.
Avoid trimming your brows.
👉Skin Suitable for all but hypersensitive skin types.
Gentle cleansing routine the morning of your booking.
👉Products Avoid exfoliants, retinol, AHA, and BHA on the brows.
A perm solution is applied which breaks the disulphide bonds that hold together the brow hair’s keratin.
Once the bonds have been broken, we are able to change the state of the brow hair thereby straightening unruly brows and redirecting the hair to reshape the brows for a thicker, fuller look.
We then apply a setting solution which neutralizes the perm process and reforms the disulphide bonds in their new and improved shape. This is what makes your brow lamination last up to 6 weeks.
Is brow lamination safe for my brows?
Perm solutions have greatly improved since grandma’s time. 👵🏻 However, exposure to some perm solutions can cause reactions to sensitive skin such as itching, redness, etc.
We hope to have shed some light on your question: “How does brow lamination work?
We have compiled this list of brow lamination faqs (frequently asked questions). If your question does not appear on this list, feel free to ask us a question in our “Ask Dermica” feature.
What is it?
The most common brow lamination faq is, “What is it?” It’s a mini perming service designed specifically for brows. The process involves securing the hair in an upward stroke pattern, then setting them into place with a gentle brow perming solution. Adding tint to your service is a great option for extra richness and depth.
How long does the service take?
You can expect to be at Dérmica for 45-60 minutes.
Is there down time?
There is no major down time. We recommend keeping the brows dry for 48 hours. This may require some preplanning, for example, booking your appointment on days that you can avoid wearing makeup or washing your hair to avoid water.
How long does this service last?
4 weeks of max. effect and lasts up to 6 weeks.
What will it do for me?
If you…
have sparse brows👉 it helps with extra coverage.
have thick and wiry brows👉 it helps to smooth them down.
brows that grow in awkward directions👉 it helps reposition and tame.
want a perfected BROW LINE👉 it helps you GET IT!!
Was your question on this brow lamination FAQs list? Feel free to ask us a question in our “Ask Dermica” feature.
Not sure which brow service is right for you?
Try our BROW QUIZ to help you choose the best service for your brow goals.
What is the difference between microblading vs brow lamination? 🤔
While both end results shown by the image above look similar, we’re talking apples and oranges when comparing microblading vs lamination.
LONGEVITY
Brow lamination is a brow perm whereas microblading is a brow tattoo. In other words, lamination is temporary and lasts usually between 4-6 weeks. On the other hand, microblading is semipermanent. Because it goes into the layers of the skin, it lasts on average 2.5 years.
MINIMUM BROW REQUIREMENTS
Brow lamination requires you to have natural brow hair in order to hide gaps, like a brow “comb over” if you will. 😊 In addition to hiding gaps in your eyebrows, it straightens unruly brow hair acting like water-resistant, 24-hour brow gel. This in effect makes your brows look as full as naturally possible.
Microblading adds hair like strokes and is the solution for people with very sparse, thin, or non-existent brow hair. The look is achieved by carefully placing each individual hair stroke on the skin, building a beautiful and natural brow from very little to no hair.
Want to know more? Ask us a question in our “Ask Dermica”.
Book your Brow Lamination or Microblading service with Dérmica!
Hair Removal Methods Explained | What are your options?
Hair removal methods have been around since the days of Cleopatra, it has since evolved to include a vast selection of products, tools, gadgets, and highly sophisticated equipment. With all these options now available, how do you choose which one is most appropriate for your personal needs?
Well, there are a few questions to consider:
When are you expecting your results?
What is your budget?
How much maintenance are you able to commit to?
What will the effects be?
In order to make this process a little easier for you, we’ve researched the pros, cons, and facts to consider when making your selection.
1. Epilation (ep-i-la-tion)
Process: The hair is dissolved or cut flush with skin. The root of the hair remains intact below the surface of the skin. There is no effect to the growth rate, texture, or density of growth.
Common forms of depilation are razor shaving, electric shaver, epilation cream such as Nair ™.
Longevity: 24hrs – 72hrs.
Pricing: $
Frequency: As often as needed.
Pros:
Convenient.
Suitable for all hair types.
No wait periods.
Low cost.
Cons:
Hair has sharp tips when growing back.
Risk of cuts in hard to reach or contoured areas.
Chemical burns can occur if skin is not properly assessed prior to treating with creams.
Can cause ingrown hairs, razor burn, and/or skin irritation.
Depilation (dep-i-la-tion)
Depilation refers to the process of physically pulling the hair and root from the hair follicle in the skin. The process removes hair growth that is visible at the surface of the skin. Depilation can have a mild effect on the regrowth depending on the stage in which the hair is removed. The most positive effect is seen on active hair growth.
Professional Methods of Depilation
2. Waxing
Process: Warm wax solution is applied in sections over the hair/skin. The wax and adhered hair is then swiftly pulled from the skin.
Longevity 2-3 weeks.
Price: $$
Frequency: 4-6 weeks or until hair is ¼ inch.
Pros:
Suitable for all hair types.
Immediate results.
Softer hair growth.
Minimize occurrence of ingrown hairs.
Cons:
Must wait for the hair to grow back to the appropriate length.
Can be painful in sensitive areas.
Down-time 24hrs: no swimming, sweating, fragranced products, sun exposure.
Some sensitivity and mild swelling may occur following the treatment. Can take up to 48hrs to completely calm.
3. Threading
Process: A specialized thread is wound up and passed over the skin entwining the hair and pulling it from the hair follicle.
Longevity: 2-3 weeks.
Price: $
Frequency: 3-4 weeks. The hair must be visible at the surface.
Pros:
Price point.
Express service.
No risk of allergic reaction to product.
Cons:
Risk of cross contamination if thread is being anchored in the technician’s mouth.
Friction burns can occur in sensitive areas.
Hair may not be completely removed from its follicle and therefore grows back sooner than expected.
4. Sugaring
Process: A warm honey-like paste is maneuvered over the treatment area, adhering itself to the hair. After placement it is lifted away from the skin, taking along with it the unwanted hair.
Longevity: 3-4 weeks.
Price: $$
Frequency: 4-6 weeks. Sugaring only requires 1/8 inch of hair growth and can be done as soon as 2 weeks post service.
Pros:
Less length required for removal.
Organic formulation.
Suitable for all skin types.
Cons:
Uncommon service, difficult to source a professional technician.
Process: Hair is reduced by destroying the root of the hair using a light energy. There are slight variances in IPL vs Laser, but both deliver permanent reduction in hair growth rate, density, and thickness.
Longevity: 5+ years
Price: $$$
Frequency: 4-8 weeks. Until desired results (average 10-12 for max. results).
Pros:
Permanent reduction.
Quick service.
Eliminates ingrown hairs.
Smooths texture and pigmentation in areas with dark-coarse growth.
Cons:
Downtime 24-72 hours with strict guidelines.
Results may regress with hormonal fluctuation.
Not suitable for deep skin tones or light hair types.
Risk of burns.
6. Electrolysis/ Thermolysis
Process: The root of the hair is destroyed by delivering an electric current to the bulb. This can be done with electrically charged tweezers, or by insertion of a charged needled into the follicular region.
