Correcting Hyperpigmentation

All is fair in love, war and correcting excess pigmentation of the skin! There are numerous products available to treat such conditions as age spots, hyperpigmentation and melasma. What is important is consistency and patience. The more actives you can incorporate, the better. But that doesn't mean you have to apply every single product to your face every single night. Try alternating products, use some in the A.M. and others P.M. or even alternate between other other day. What matters is that you incorporate the products into your routine on a regular and consistent basis.

Good results can be seen if one remember a few basic rules:

1. Exfoliate and remove the pigmented skin. Most pigmentation resides in the upper layers of the skin. As such, exfoliation will eventually remove the pigmented areas and, if you're simultaneously using products to stop more pigment from being produced, such as tyrosinase inhibitors and sunscreen, you'll hopefully see yourself clear to some more even-toned skin. Exfoliation also allows your active products, the ones that will stop your skin from making excess pigment, to penetrate and work more effectively.

Because exfoliators are great for overall skin rejuvination and anti-aging routines, it is easy to work them into a skin lightening program. The 15% Mandelic-Lactic Acid Acid is the best choice for those suffering from pigmentation. Both mandelic and lactic acid are known for their ability to lighten hyperpigmented skin and this formula is highly effective, having a a total of 15% alpha hydroxies acid at a pH of 2.5. If you're new to acids, use only twice a week and work up to every other night or even nightly if tolerated. This formula is exceptional not only for pigmentation but for overall skintone and texture, including pore sisze. I can't recommend it enough!

Oily skinned persons will want to use the Salicylic Acid Exoliator 2% after washing and prior to applying their treatment acid. This will remove oils from the skin and allow the 15% Mandelic-Lactic Acid to better penetrate.

2. Use actives known to lighten the skin and prevent pigmentation from forming. Skin pigment is ultimately produced based upon the actions of the enzyme tyrosinase which catalyzes the chemical production of melanin. Shut down tyrosinase activity and you prevent further discoloration from forming. There are numerous products which effectively shut down tyrosinase activity and the synergy of ingredients works to maximize results. Our new formulas utilize numerous effective ingredients and are truly cutting edge when it comes to pigment control. I have personally found the Intensive Skin Lightening Serum to be very effective as it contains several ingredients, including alpha arbutin, licorice extract and kojic acid, all of which are clinically shown to inhibit melanin synthesis, thereby preventing the formation of unsightly hyperpigmentation. Also, the addition of wildberry extract to this formula helps break up existing pgiment.

Also, don't forget that Vitamin C is a very potent skin bleaching tool. Several forms of topical Vitamin C have been shown to reduce melanin formation. These include l-ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate. These can be found in the 15% Vitamin C with Ferulic Acid and the Triple Action Vitamin C Serum. I like to use the 15% Vitamin C in the A.M. and the Triple C Serum in the P.M., but this is a matter of preference.

Alone, each of the ingredients and products mentioned above have an assigned niche for mildly interferring with pigment production. Together, or en masse, they can wreak havoc upon hyperactive melanocytes. The days of monotherapy in skin bleaching and brightening are truly over and for good reason. But please don't despair over having to apply a huge number of topicals to your face. Remember, it's not necessary to apply all of them ever single day (except Vitamin C which is so extremely important to protection from free radicals and for stimulating collagen synthesis). So, for example, a possible routine might look like this:

A.M. -- 15% Vitmain C with Ferulic Acid, HGF Triple Whitening Serum
P.M. -- 15% Mandelic-Lactic Acid (every other night), Intensive Skin Lightening Serum or Daisy Glow, Triple Action C Serum

3. The sun is your enemy. No matter the cause of your discoloration, the sun actively plays a role in deepening the disparity between your natural lovely skin tone and the unwanted dark patches. Without an effective sunscreen, those UV rays are going to send your pigment-producing skin cells (melanocytes) into overdrive. No bleaching program will work if you don't use a truly effecitve sunscreen that blocks both UVB and UVA rays.

Unfortunately, most U.S. sunscreens are not protective enough against UVA rays. In fact, I sell only those European sunscreens which are scientifically proven to block at least 98% of almost all UVA rays. (You can actually view a graph of the sunscreen protection provided by the sunscreens sold on Skincare Central here).

It's crucial to remember that sunscreens are tested at an application rate of approximately 1/4 teaspoon of product to the face. If you don't think that's too much to apply, please purchase one of those tiny measuring spoon sets. You'll be amazed to discover that 1/4 teaspoon is about EIGHT squirts from a 4 oz. spray bottle! No one ever applies that much sunscreen, which is another reason to choose the European sunscreens: some of the better ones have such high UVA protection values that you can apply only 1/8 teaspoon and still be protected against incidental exposure. (You will, however, have to apply that whole 1/4 teaspoon when exposed in extreme conditions such as skiing, hiking, etc.)

I have made every effort to select those European sunscreens with the best texture and finish. Also, I do sell sunscreen samples so that you can try to find one you like before making a full-size purchase. This one aspect of skin bleaching is absolutely crucial. Without adequate sun protection, any skin bleaching program is doomed.

A final skin bleaching tip. Please remember to stick with your program for the long haul. When you have achieved your desired results, don't just suddenly stop all your products! Is is imperative that you at least continue with your susncreen. And women prone to melasma especially need to continue with their tyrosinane inhibitors and other skin lighteners.

As always, if you need help in selecting products or a routine, don't hesitate to write for personalized advice!