Skin pigmentation, tanning is a major concern today for most of us, since we expose our skin to the harmful UV rays, and are often careless about sun protection. Added to this are daily lifestyle stress, and hormonal fluctuations and the end result is patchy, uneven skin with brown or dark spots.
With such advancement in cosmetic science and techniques, it is no longer a big challenge to fight such skin issues as pigmentation. Since the UV rays are considered the biggest culprit in causing this, your first step to fighting pigmentation should be to wear sunscreen during the day even if you are indoors. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with minimum of SPF 20, this blocks the UV rays which aggravate melanin production that cause uneven skin tone. For greater protection you can first apply a skin cream with vitamin C, and then layer a sunscreen over it. Always apply on all exposed areas. You can also look for creams with kojic acid, liquorice extracts that can be applied at night or under your sunscreen to block excessive melanin production.
At your skin doctor’s you opt for chemical peels – considered one of the safest and the easiest ways to wipe away superficial pigmentation. Skin lightening with glycolic acid or beta-hydroxy acid extracted from fruits work for most skin.
This is because peels gently burn the top layer of discoloured skin, and allow newer layer to show through. A treatment with tretinoin or Retinol A and vitamin C works well for banishing melisma – the brown discolouration of skin that appears due to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or otherwise. However you will need at least 6 to 8 sittings before getting visible results.
Another easy, almost painless de-pigmentation treatment that gives you great result is microdermabrasion. This not only clears away brown patches, but also improves over all skin tone. In this the dermatologist literally sands down your skin’s surface layer by directing a steady flow of micro crystals while brushing your skin with a rotating brush. This can cause a bit of redness post treatment, but is effective in removing deep-seated dark patches.
