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

Sun Damage, Age Spots & Dark Spots

The sun is the number one cause of signs of aging, wrinkles, brown spots, dull skin and cancer. Over 90% of all visible changes to the skin typically attributed to aging are actually caused by sun exposure.

A major source dark spots, often called age spots, are caused from sun exposure not as a direct result of age. To make matters worse, sun damage is cumulative. The older you get, the more sun damage you accumulate. Sun damage can manifest on the skin 20-30 years down the line.

We all know that excessive sun exposure is bad for your health - the 'healthy glow' people seek every summer contributes to the long-term damage of your skin. However, studies have proven that sun exposure also makes you look older.  A 2006 study conducted  by Proctor & Gamble showed that skin tone can affect a person's perceived age by as much as 20 years. Sun exposure causes photo-aging, the deterioration of the skin from harmful UV rays.

Sun exposure causes photo-aging, the deterioration of the skin from harmful UV rays. The effects of sun damage include:

• Dark Spots or a blotchy, mottled complexion
• Premature Lines and Wrinkles
• Telangiectasias, the dilation of blood vessels under the skin, or broken capillaries
• Elastosis, the deterioration of collagen and elastin that causes the skin to sag
• Thinning Skin and Changes in Skin Texture
• Pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions

These dark spots, sometimes called age spots, liver spots, sun spots, lentigines or solar lentigio, can vary in size and color; Often freckle to quarter-sized, and a light tan to dark brown in color. Dark spots are most common on the face, hands, chest and shoulders, but they can occur anywhere that is exposed to UV light.

When skin is exposed to UV light, melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. The production of melanin is the body's defense against sun damage - melanin is able to disperse about 99.9% of absorbed UV radiation.  In some areas of the skin, the concentration of cells may vary - dense amounts of cells can create melanin “deposits,” causing dark spots. As we age, our cells become less diffuse and this defense mechanism becomes less effective, so dark spots become a more frequent occurrence.

Thankfully, there are ways to counteract the signs of aging caused by sun damage. Lightening creams, advanced skin care and Med Spa services such as IPL photo facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and high frequency treatments can help rejuvenate the skin.

Next, will discuss these treatments in depth and explain how they can help sun damaged skin.  Until then, don't forget to wear your sun screen!

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.


 

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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