Pigmentation problems can be a serious skin concern among women. In addition to ugly marks and patches on the skin, there is a lot of emotional stress on the person. This is why it is incredibly difficult to deal with pigmentation problems. Moreover, if you don’t apply the right type of skin care products, the skin condition may aggravate and lead to more serious problems.
Causes of Pigmented Skin
Skin pigmentation can be caused by a variety of factors. While some are natural some happen because of skin care negligence. Here are some of the common causes of skin pigmentation.
Birthmarks
Some people are born with pigmented birthmarks. They may be spots, dark patches and so on. Most of them are permanent birthmarks which if don’t fade away on their own remain on the skin forever. However, you can used laser therapy or surgical procedures to get them removed.
Sun Spots
Also called age spots, they are caused as a result of prolonged and unprotected sun exposure. The UV radiations of the sun increase the percentage of melanin within the skin and cause the melanocytes to group together. This results in the formation of dark brown spots on the skin. Pollution can aggravate the situation.
Treatment of Pigmented Skin
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
Skin pigmentation is causes by melanin. The melanin cells, comprised of the melanocytes and are located in the deeper layers of the skin and protects against damage by the sun’s UV rays. More the melanin in your skin, darker will be the skin tone. This is the reason why fair-skinned people, who contain very less melanin, are more prone to sun burns.
In order to prevent skin pigmentation and formation of brown spots, it is important to keep your skin protected against the sunlight. Therefore, make sure you wear a broad spectrum sunscreen whenever you venture out in the sun. Slather the sunscreen all over the exposed areas of your body at least 15-20 minutes before venturing out so that it gets absorbed effectively
Product Suggestions:
La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Lotion
It is a lightweight sunscreen lotion that quickly absorbs into your skin leaving a sheer finish. The La Roche Posay CELL-OX Shield provides antioxidants and both UVA/UVB protection and is water resistant. It is also available in Fluid and Milk form.
Obagi Day Lotion
It exfoliates the skin surface and accelerates skin cell turnover. In addition it also keeps the skin well hydrated and protected for flawless looking skin.
Avoid Petroleum & Alcohol based Skin Care Products
Petroleum and alcohol based products are extremely dangerous for the skin as they serve to aggravate skin pigmentation. They increase the number of free radicals in the skin and cause intrinsic damage. Alcohol often causes a stinging sensation in the skin that prompts free radicals to multiply. An increase in the number of free radicals also accelerate the production of melanin. Moreover, pollution and other environmental stressors also cause the skin pigmentation to increase.
Use Skin Lightening Products
In order to protect the skin and remove the unsightly marks, you need to use effective skin lightening products. Look for ingredients like hydroquinone and kojic acid that serve to lighten the skin tone and thus erase the pigmentation marks. They also control the production of melanin within the skin cells and
Product Suggestions:
Vivite Vibrance Therapy
It is a unique skin care formulation that contains restorative antioxidants to brighten and even out skin tone while at the same time reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It includes ingredients like Licorice root extract, Mulbery fruit, green tea, grapes, and fennel seeds to keep the skin young and fresh looking while evening out age spots, brown spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation. It also helps to hydrate the skin and protect against free radicals.
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear
This is a great skin bleaching and corrector cream containing 4% Hydroquinone to even out age spots, freckles, liver spots and overall skin tone. It correct the unevenness and age spots on your skin.
Obagi C-Clarifying Serum
It is the one and only clarifying serum that combines 4% hydroquinone and Vitamin C serum along with L-ascorbic acid. 4% hydroquinone is a well established ingredient for evening out pigmentation issues in the skin. Pared with Vitamin C this product promotes an even skin tone and also provides potent antioxidant protection.