5 tips for you with pigment spots

Hyperpigmentation, pigment spots, liver spots, age spots, melasma…. "Dear child has many names!

Uneven pigmentation in the skin, in one form or another, is something many of us struggle with. Most come from sun damage from a lot of sunbathing earlier in life, but pigment spots can also be influenced by hormones - which explains why these spots appear more often in women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or in menopause.  Did you know that 7 out of 10 women get pigmentation spots, while only 3 out of 10 men get them? Pretty unfair if you ask us!  

The pigments in our skin are there to protect the skin cells from the sun's UV rays. That is why our skin gets tanner when we have been out in the sun. The sun's UV rays can also burn, and cause damage deep down in the skin. When a skin cell is damaged, it no longer functions as it should. This can result in it producing either too much or too little pigment, dead skin cells can pile up on the skin's surface, and the cells that form collagen and elastin no longer work so well. The skin gets an uneven surface - in both color and texture - and looks older.  

REDUCE PIGMENT SPOTS  

Once the pigment spots are there, most people want to make them as inconspicuous as possible. The first thing you must be aware of is that this will take time . It took many years for the pigmentation spots to get there, so it is not done in the blink of an eye to make them disappear.  

The cells that produce pigment are located at the very bottom of the epidermis. The good thing is that all cells in the epidermis are replaced within a month. It also means that a hyperpigmented cell will use approx. a month on its journey up the skin layers, before it falls off. That is not to say that you can get rid of a pigment spot in a month. It takes time to "raise" the skin cells to produce the right amount of pigment. Some people may find that a pigment spot actually looks darker for a period before it fades.  

An imbalance in the hormones can also lead to pigmentation. So during puberty, pregnancy and menopause you should be extra careful. Birth control pills and other medications can also affect the production of pigment in the skin. Sun protection every day is a must . Without that, there is no point in treating them. Then only new ones will be added.

Read more: How to reduce pigment spots

5 tips to reduce pigment spots:

  1. Every day: Use sunscreen or day cream with SPF 30 or higher
  2. Every day: Use antioxidant serum under the day cream, e.g. 15% vitamin C booster
  3. Every night: Use a serum that repairs sun damage and strengthens the skin barrier, e.g. Radiant glow skin booster and Niacinamide
  4. Every week: Use an acid peel to remove dead skin cells and strengthen the cells, e.g. Dermaglow AHA peel
  5. Every week: feel free to use retinol products (vitamin A) a few evenings in addition

Read more: What is the difference between an acid peel and a grain peel?

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