You may have noticed small spots on your skin that are a little darker than your skin tone. This is most likely hyperpigmentation, which is pigmentation, age spots or sun spots. Do you know why they occur? And what are the options for removing them?
Statistics say that pigment spots affect more than 90% of fair-skinned people who are over 50 years old. In most cases, they occur in women, most often on the face, décolletage, but also on the hands. Although they do not cause any inconvenience, they negatively affect the appearance of the skin.
HOW DO PIGMENT SPOTS ARISE?
Pigment spots are primarily caused by increased levels of melanin - the natural pigment that gives hair, eyes and skin its colour. Several factors can influence excess melanin:
- Excessive exposure to sunlight without the use of products with SPF
- Hormonal changes: spots often appear in women taking hormonal contraceptives, in pregnancy or during periods of transition
- Age: the number of melanocytes decreases with age, but their activity and volume increase
- Skin inflammations and injuries that result in the release of melanin
- Certain drugs (e.g. antibiotics) and herbs (e.g. St. John's wort).
HOW DO WE DISTINGUISH PIGMENT SPOTS?
Depending on the specific causes, several basic types of pigment spots are distinguished:
MELASMA
Also known as chloasma, is a skin disorder that results from increased melanin production. Larger areas of hyperpigmentation appear, especially on the cheeks, back of the nose, forehead and upper lip. However, sometimes also on other parts of the body exposed to the sun, such as the forearms.
Although it can occur in both men and women, melasma is most common in women and is triggered by changes in hormone levels, according to experts. Melasma occurs in 10-15% of pregnant women and 10-25% of women taking oral hormonal contraceptives. It is sometimes referred to as 'pregnancy mask'.
AGE SPOTS
These are caused by increased production of melanin, the natural pigment that gives the skin its colour. Melanin acts as the skin's natural protection against the sun's rays, protecting it from harmful UV rays and thus giving the skin a tan..
Excessive exposure to the sun increases the amount of melanin that the skin produces. As their alternative name 'sun spots' suggests, these dark spots are most often caused by overexposure of the skin to the sun. Therefore, they are usually found on areas of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun: the face, neck, décolletage, shoulders, forearms and hands.
POST-INFLAMMATORY DARK SPOTS ON THE SKIN
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs when a skin injury or trauma heals and leaves a flat area of irregular discoloration. It commonly occurs in acne sufferers and can also be caused by cosmetic procedures such as dermabrasion, laser treatments and chemical peels.
HOW TO PREVENT THE APPEARANCE OF HYPERPIGMENTATION?
The best prevention of hyperpigmentation is proper care. Therefore, use gentle products and treat your skin as gently as possible. Above all, focus on protecting, moisturising and nourishing the skin. Skeeneffect products provide all this! Skeeneffect products!
Remember: If your pigment spots do not recede, laser surgery is the solution. This works on the principle of selective photothermolysis, whereby electromagnetic radiation is applied to the treated area. However, in the case of laser treatment, complications can occur, which are quite common.
ATTENTION TO THE SKIN MICROBIOME
The skin microbiome is also related to pigment spots. This is made up of a number of bacteria that are influenced by your lifestyle, the surrounding climate or skin care. As long as the skin microbiome is in balance, it will show in healthy-looking and glowing skin. If there is an imbalance, acne, skin irritation, inflammation and even pigment spots can appear.
Did you know: the skin microbiome prefers a slightly acidic environment? This is also why it is sensitive to pH changes
PROTECTION AGAINST UV RADIATION
Since the most common cause of hyperpigmentation is exposure to UV rays, the best prevention is sun protection. By using a sunscreen with a high UV factor, you are also able to avoid pigment spots that are genetically or hormonally determined. Don't forget to use sunscreen in the shade as well, as it has the job of protecting your skin from many harmful influences, not just the sun.
Practical tip: You should also avoid frequent visits to the solarium, which are a prerequisite for the appearance of pigment spots.
KEEP YOUR SKIN SUFFICIENTLY MOISTURISED
The solution to her use of the Skeeneffect Ageless Cream also a nutritional supplement which contains the active ingredient Nutroxsun and Pavlova Lutheri extract. Both actives have been proven to reduce dark spots, hydrate and increase skin homogeneity.
RECEIVE MORE ANTIOXIDANTS
Your diet can also determine the condition of your skin. For pigment spots, you should consume foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants in particular. Very effective is vitamin C, which which prevents free radicals from causing oxidative damage to the skin. It acts as an antioxidant and is also very effective in combating the enzymatic processes that are responsible for the formation of melanin in the skin.
Thus, it is able to lighten the necessary areas on the skin in a targeted manner. Foods rich in vitamin C include rose hips, parsley, cabbage, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, leafy greens and citrus fruits.
