All about skin pigmentation

Skin pigmentation: What works on dark spots

Picture this: It’s springtime, and on a perfectly fine day, you decide to head out. You look in the mirror and do a double-take because the dark spots on your face that were otherwise non-threatening are now becoming more evident. You need a pigmentation cream, if you haven’t thought about it already. Suddenly, your skin looks dull and is more uneven. Don’t panic! Skin pigmentation issues are common.

What causes skin pigmentation?

Before you go any further into your treatment plans, it helps to familiarise yourself with the terminologies related to different skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation. Uneven skin pigmentation is so common that others think it’s borderline normal, but it isn’t. The dark spots you see, or dark patches making their way to your face, neck, and even hands, is the result of regular sun exposure and, sometimes, ageing.

Why do I need a skin pigmentation cream?

When there’s an increase in melanin (the natural pigment that provides colour to our skin, hair, and eyes), you experience hyperpigmentation. There are also other factors that trigger higher levels of melanin, but the major culprits are sun overexposure, mature skin, injuries, and inflammation. Once sun exposure messes with the process of melanin production, you develop dark spots, which become even dull and even darker over time.

Melasma and your skin

Melasma is one example of hyperpigmentation, where you see brown patches mostly appearing on your face. This is very common among pregnant women, thus referred to as “mask of pregnancy,” although men are not immune to this condition. Sometimes, women overcome melasma post-pregnancy. There are also products that can treat it effectively, such as Germaine De Capuccini’s Timexpert White Spot Correcting Cream with SPF20 for sun protection. This pigmentation cream targets dark spots and pigmentation with its advanced melanolight process technology aiming straight for the problem.

If you’re aware that you have melasma, make sure to use SPF in your daily skincare. Then, limit activities that would require overexposure to the sun. If you can’t help it, protect your eyes and use sunscreen with SPF higher than 20, since you need to block UVA and UVB rays which trigger hyperpigmentation. Not sure which SPF product works best? If you’re also thinking of using moisturisers with SPF, consult your doctor or ask the advice of a skin professional. It won’t hurt to be sure, especially if you’re planning on using products that would help with your hyperpigmentation concerns.

Pigmentation cream for dark spots and uneven skin tone

There are a few ways in which you can reduce hyperpigmentation. Eat right and commit to a proper skin routine. Or invest in a pigmentation cream that works for you.

TOPICAL AND ANTI-PIGMENTATION CREAMS

Azelaic acid: A natural ingredient in wheat, barley, and rye that soothes inflammation.
Corticosteroids: More commonly known as “steroids,” but are not the same hormone-related compound that professional athletes often abuse. Corticosteroids treat swelling and inflammatory disease.
Retinoids: A broad family of Vitamin A compounds that can come in over-the-counter prescriptions found in serums, eye creams, and night moisturisers. These are known to increase collagen production, thereby reducing the signs of ageing as well as epidermal melanin.
Vitamin C: The popularity of Vitamin C as a “holy grail” in skincare is warranted. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that combats quite a number of skin issues such as ageing, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. Aside from that, it evens out your skin tone, which then allows you to have brighter, clearer skin. It also blocks the enzyme responsible for pigmentation.

If you know how to choose the right pigmentation cream, you and your skin will be all right. Aside from spot correction and pigmentation creams, you can also get professional, non-invasive treatment to lighten the skin area affected. You can choose to get laser therapy, intense pulsed light, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion. However, these cosmetic procedures are not the same. Consider discussing the process and possible side effects properly with a qualified therapist.