When we are children we treat our skin all kinds of ways without a care in the world. However, as we grow older, our skin doesn’t bounce back quite as easily and when we ignore our skin concerns, more problems occur such as an uneven skin tone. Hyperpigmentation is more than skin deep and although no one is perfect, an uneven skin tone can be a cause of a number of factors that are environmental, hereditary, or internal. When our bodies produce an overproduction of melanin in spots, this can create a weathered appearance and cause one to look older than what they truly are. By treating an uneven skin tone, not only is finding the right makeup coverage much easier but you’ll have more confidence in your skin without the unsightly spots.
Types of Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation manifests itself in a number of ways that are both genetic and caused by the environment. Uneven skin tone effects about 80 percent of women and not all treatments are the same, depending on the type of hyperpigmentation that is present. If you are suffering from hyperpigmentation issues and would like to remedy them, it is important that you know what type that you have so that you may seek the best treatment. Some forms of hyperpigmentation include:
●Freckles- Also referred to as ephelides, freckles can be both genetic and caused by sun exposure. They are typically darker in the summer and fade during the colder months.
●Solar lentigines- Sun spots, or liver spots that form when UV rays from the sun touches your skin. Keeping a watch over this skin condition is especially important as it may lead to skin cancer.
●Melasma- A skin condition that causes brown or grey skin patches that are typically on the face and is also usually a result of hormones from pregnancy, referred to as, “the mask of pregnancy.”
●Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation- A darkening of the skin caused by scarring that is a result of acne or other skin lesions.
Treatments For Hyperpigmentation
Since many types of dark spots do not fade on their own, there are a variety of skin lightening creams on the market that can help enhance your complexion and fade dark spots due to hyperpigmentation, such as Janssen Cosmetics Melafadin Fluid , which contains a high dose of vitamin C and lipoamino acid used to penetrate and treat dark spots so that they stay gone. However, it is important to use a sunscreen to protect the skin so that the dark spots do not come back. Other forms of treatment used to help fade dark spots include:
●Microdermabrasion- A non-invasive, non-chemical treatment that utilizes microcrystals to remove the outermost layer of dead, dry skin for smoother, more lustrous skin.
●Chemical peel- Chemical peels can be invasive or non-invasive. The mildest form utilizes alpha-hydroxy acid or another chemical to penetrate the outer layer of the skin. Medium peels include the use of glycolic or trichloroacetic acid, which penetrates the outer and middle layers of the skin. Deep peels are the most invasive, penetrating to the middle layer of the skin with the use of trichloroacetic acid and phenols to go deep into the skin. These methods work great for stubborn spots and for medium to deep peels, a visit to your dermatologist office is recommended. Our Skin Refining Enzyme Peel absorbs quickly into the skin and eliminates dark spots pain free.
●Intense Pulse Light(IPL)- Light-based treatment that targets blood vessels pigment to lift it out of the skin. Treated areas typically turn dark, then flake off within days to reveal fresher, less spotty skin.
●Fractional Laser Resurfacing- Short, pulsating beams of light target targets pigment in the skin, removing skin layer by layer.
At-Home-Treatment
Janssen Cosmetics at-home treatments are gentle, yet effective at removing unsightly dark spots and may be utilized on all skin types. Simply cleanse your skin, apply the Skin Refining Enzyme Peel one or two days per week in the evening, do not wash off and allow to work overnight. In the morning, cleanse and care for the skin as usual. Apply a light SPF cream, then moisturizer to the skin for protection and watch your skin become clearer over time.
Hyperpigmentation can occur on any skin type and tone. With the right treatments, you can help alleviate dark spots and cultivate a more even skin tone.