How to Lighten Hyperpigmentation, Dark Spots and Sun Spots

Topical Treatments/Skin Lighteners:
IPL  uses relatively low-energy, short-pulse broadband light to target areas of discoloration. The pigmented cells absorb the energy and is converted into heat. The melanin is destroyed and the dark spots gently flake off over a short period of time. IPL treatments are only suitable for light to medium skin tones. The darker the hyperpigmentation, the better the results will be.

High Frequency is an older, well-established technology that uses high intensity radio frequent to treat skin abnormalities without penetrating the skin. It's used to treat sun spots, broken capillaries and other imperfections. A hand-held probe provides a precise application of heat to the surface of the imperfection and draws out any oils or liquids, effectively drying it out. Once all the moisture is removed, the imperfection will dry up and eventually flake off. In the case of broken capillaries, the high frequency will evaporate the broken blood vessel.

Exfoliation sloughs off dead skin and stimulates cellular turnover. This helps lift discoloration and preps skin for other treatments for more effective product absorption. Chemical and physical exfoliation can help slough off dead skin and lift spots.

Chemical exfoliation uses acids and enzymes to clear pores and remove dead skin cells without abrading the skin.

Both physical and chemical exfoliation can help reduce the appearance of melasma. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels both exfoliate the skin to increase cell turnover and speed the transit of dark pigmentation out of the skin. Chemical peels initiate the process of removing the first few layers of skin - improving overall texture and skin clarity while helping lift dark patches in the skin. Exfoliation also helps prep the skin for skin lightening treatments and allows products to absorb better. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels must be performed by a professional. Skin Care - Cleansers, Serums, Moisturizers for sun damaged skin.
Retinoids, Vitamin C and other antioxidants. Skin lighteners can help lift up dark spots and discoloration caused by sun damage.  
Antioxidants help slow the degradation of cells by protecting against free radicals.
When looking for skin care, look for products that have antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acids, and other ingredients that help your skin from the inside out.

Diet-Your diet can help prevent and repair damage due to sun exposure. Antioxidants found in foods and supplements help repair and prevent cellular damage. Antioxidants help fortify your cells to prevent oxidative stress.

Sun Protection Sun protection is vital for any skin care regimen. Almost all skin damage is caused by harmful UVA/UVB rays and infrared rays from the sun. Sun protection is the first step in preventing and reversing damage. There are several types of

Lightening creams, or bleaching creams work to increase cell turnover and inhibit melanin production. When using lightening creams, the skin will peel and start to slough off the dead skin for a brighter, more even skin tone. One of the most effective lightening agents is hydroquinone, a bleaching agent that is available at concentrations up to 2% over the counter and concentrations much higher with prescription. Hydroquinone doesn't actually bleach the skin, but slows down or stops the overproduction of melanin. Other effective lightening agents are Azelaic acid, Kojic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, and Tretinoin. For more information on Skin Lightening Creams & Treatment visit here.
There are several types of treatments that can be used for different types of facials and other treatments that are available. There are several types of lasers that can be used on the different types of lasers that can be used on darker skin tones. There are several types of lasers that can be used on darker skin

How to Treat Melasma

 Melasma is a difficult form of hyperpigmentation treat. The factors that trigger melasma, such as hormones, sun exposure and genetics, are a part of life and as such, difficult to control. Once melasma is triggered, the smallest amount of UV exposure or hormonal change is enough to cause melasma to darken, or even return after successful treatment.

Due to it's stubborn nature, Melasma is treated slightly differently than hyperpigmentation from sun damage or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The three types of melasma (dermal, epidermal and mixed) all respond to treatment differently.

The three factors in treating all melasma cases are:

• The right professional treatment option, ie: laser, Ipl Photofacial 

                                                    •Skin Lightening Creams

                                                    •Sun Protection

                                                    •Time 

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Skin Lightening Creams - The most effective treatments for melasma are lightening, or bleaching creams.  Lightening creams, or bleaching creams work to increase cell turnover and inhibit melanin production. When using lightening creams, the skin will peel and start to slough of the dead skin for a brighter, more even skin tone. One of the most effective lightening agents is hydroquinone, a bleaching agent that is available at concentrations up to 2% over the counter and concentrations much higher with prescription. Hydroquinone doesn't actually bleach the skin, but slows down or stops the overproduction of melanin. Other effective lightening agents are Azelaic acid, Kojic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, and Tretinoin. For more information on Skin Lightening Creams & Treatment visit here.

Other treatment options include exfoliation. Both physical and chemical exfoliation can help reduce the appearance of melasma. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels both exfoliate the skin to increase cell turnover and speed the transit of dark pigmentation out of the skin. Chemical peels initiate the process of removing the first few layers of skin - improving overall texture and skin clarity while helping lift dark patches in the skin. Exfoliation also helps prep the skin for skin lightening treatments and allows products to absorb better. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels must be performed by a professional. If the skin reacts poorly to treatment, the melasma could darken.

Sun Protection - As with all skin lightening treatments, diligent sun protection use is a must. Sun exposure will cause melasma to worsen and cause faded cases of melasma to return. This is because melanocytes, the cells responsible for pigmentation, are stimulated by even the smallest amount of UV exposure. This is why melasma often gets worse during the summer, and why people tend to have recurring cases of melasma. Skin lighteners can also increase skin sensitivity and cause it to burn more easily. Sun protection is necessary to start the fading process and to keep the melasma from returning.

Time - Melasma treatment requires commitment. Sun protection and lightening products need to be used faithfully to see results. Melasma pigmentation forms gradually and it fades as such, so it may take months to completely fade. It's important not to over-treat melasma or cause unnecessary irritation, as inflammation can stimulate melanin production and worsen the existing melasma.

Melasma can be difficult to treat because the discoloration is generally caused by a underlying hormonal imbalance. Without treating the imbalance, the pigmentation will keep returning. In some cases, melasma will fade on its own - generally after the hormonal imbalance has been restored. For example, pregnancy induced melasma generally clears up several months after delivery.

What causes Acne Scars, Dark Spots and Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation?

If you have ever struggled with acne, you'll probably be familiar with those dark marks that linger for months after your acne has healed - These spots are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. 

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation is the result of any inflammatory skin reaction from acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, skin infections, skin trauma, burns and drug eruptions. PIH from acne and other skin issues are made worse by picking or squeezing, and sun exposure.

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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs when acne, or any other injury causes the skin to be inflamed. This inflammation triggers excess melanin production, leaving behind discoloration after the injury or acne has healed. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation will fade over time, however it can take up to two years to completely go away.

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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is characterized by a flat area of discoloration of the site of injury. This coloration can range from pink, red, purple brown or black - depending on the tone and depth of your skin. The severity of the injury or acne legion also correlates to the darkness of pigmentation; the darker the spot, the longer it'll take to fade.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is very common in acne prone skin as well as deeper skin tones. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is often referred to as acne scars, however these spots are not true scars. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation doesn't involve changes to collagen in the skin, so there is no actual scar tissue. 

Although post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation generally fades on its own, treatments such as laser genesis,  lightening creams, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and daily sun protection can help speed up the fading process.


 

What causes Melasma, Hyperpigmentation or Dark Spots?

Hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, can be triggered by several different factors. While sun exposure is a major cause, other issues like hormonal changes and acne can lead to hyperpigmentation.

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Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that is linked to hormonal changes. Melasma is characterized by dark, irregular discoloration ranging in size from freckles to large patches. These dark spots are usually found on the upper cheeks, upper lip, forehead and nose. Melasma very common in pregnant women, in fact its often called ‘the mask of pregnancy.”

Hormone shifts triggered by birth control pills, pregnancy, thyroid conditions and menopause are the most common causes of melasma. Hormonal changes can cause melanin production to spike. Melasma is thought to occur when melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, are stimulated by female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal stimulation causes melanin to produce more pigments when exposed to sunlight. 

Both men and women can develop melasma, however its much more common in women.  Some people may be genetically predisposed to developing melasma. People with darker skin such as African, African American, Asian, Indian, Latin/Hispanic, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent are more prone to hyperpigmentation and melasma. This is because the melanocytes are more active in darker skin tones. 

There are three types of melasma:

• Epidermal melasma
• occurs in superficial layers of the skin
• well-defined borders
• typically dark brown in color
• responds very well to treatment
• Dermal melasma 
• occurs in deeper layers of the skin
• undefined borders
• light brown or blueish in color
• Mixed melasma 
• a combination of epidermal and dermal melasma
• most common type of melasma
• mix of light brown, dark brown and blueish in color 

All cases of melasma start out in the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. Dermal melasma occurs when the affected cells are inflamed or over irritated. Inflammation can cause a temporary split between the dermis and epidermis allowing cells from melasma drop from the epidermis into the dermis. Once in the dermis, melasma is very difficult to treat because the cells become resistant to topical treatments.

 

How Does Sun Damage Affect Your Skin?

Sun damage is the major cause of hyperpigmentation - even spots from melasma, post inflammatory or other damage is exacerbated by sun damage. In addition to hyper pigmentation sun damage can cause:

• Wrinkles
• Dry or rough textured skin
• Broken capillaries
• Freckles
• Macules or dark spots
• A weakening of the connective tissues of your face which reduces elasticity.

Along with prematurely aging your skin, cumulative sun exposure and damage can lead to pre-cancerous or cancerous skin lesions.


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About 80% of a person's lifetime sun exposure is acquired by the age of 18 - but it's never too early or too late to take care your skin. A few things you can do to prevent sun damage are:

• Wear a sunblock or sunscreen of at least SPF30 and diligently reapply every 2-3 hours
• Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses
• Choose make-up and skin care products with additional UV protection
• Limit your sun exposure at peak hours- 10 am to 2pm

 

While prevention is always best, there are things you can do to help repair and correct damage from sun exposure. A few simple changes to your beauty routine and a day at the spa can help you turn back the clock.

Tips to help repair sun damage:

• Wear sunscreen! Consistent sunscreen use will prevent further damage and allow your skin to recover.
• Hydrate - Keep your body and your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using a good moisturizer. Wrinkles and fine lines look deeper on dehydrated skin!
• Exfoliate  - Chemical exfoliation dissolves and sloughs off dead, dull skin more evenly than a manual exfoliate like a loofah or scrubbing beads. Exfoliation will brighten the skin and prime it for any treatments you apply afterwards.
• Try spa treatments such as:
• Lightening treatments- skin lightening creams like hydroquinone and retinols can help lighten the dark spots and hyperpigmentation
• IPL Photo Facials - IPL photo facials help improve dark spots, broken capillaries, skin texture, wrinkles and other signs of sun damage
• High Frequency Technology - High Frequency treatments remove dark spots, broken capillaries, spider veins and other minor skin irregularities