We may not be as prone to sun induced skin cancer as our western counterparts, but that hardly means we are safe from the other harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays of the sun.Most women desire that flawless fair, skin. But our skin type is such that we get hyper-pigmentation. More so because, most of us still do not slather on a sunscreen when going out in the sun.Hyper-pigmentation is generally a harmless, superficial condition caused by an uneven production and distribution of melanin (the brown pigment under our skin that is responsible for our skin colour). It happens due to over-exposure to the sun, and other causes such as genetic make-up, skin allergies, hormonal changes and acne.
TYPES OF PIGMENTATION• Tanning is an overall darkening of the skin, when the UV rays hurt the epidermis, it tries to protect the deeper layers of skin by producing extra melanin, which in turn makes the skin colour darker.• Age spots: Flat, grey, brown or black, age spots appear when melanin clumps together in a small area.• Melasma: It looks like age spots but appears in a larger area. Melasma occurs due to hormonal changes. For instance, during pregnancy it appears on the cheeks, forehead and even abdomen.• Dark patches: They happen due to injury to the top layer of the skin. Acne is one of the major reasons for dark blemishes on the skin’s surface.
TOPICAL TREATMENTS The kind of treatment you need depends on the extent of your pigmentation. Before you pick up an OTC depigmentation cream, it is best to consult a dermatologist. Here is a checklist of active ingredients that you can look for in different brands.• Hydroquinone: It is effective and safer in case you have sensitive skin. Most cosmetic skin-lightening products use a 2 % concentration, while prescription creams have 4% or more. It also has antioxidant properties.• Tretinoin: It is an acidic form of Vitamin A (retinol). A.0.5% to 0.1% tretinoin cream promotes faster cell growth leading to an even skin colour.• Azelaic acid: It is extracted from grains such as wheat, rye and barley. It is great for treating acne-induced dark patches and skin discolouration. Look for a 20% concentration.• Vitamin C: It improves cell turnover, thus removing the darker upper layers.• Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs): In the form of lactic acid and glycolic acid, AHAs help in reducing discolouration by improving cell turnover and exfoliation.
TYPES OF PIGMENTATION• Tanning is an overall darkening of the skin, when the UV rays hurt the epidermis, it tries to protect the deeper layers of skin by producing extra melanin, which in turn makes the skin colour darker.• Age spots: Flat, grey, brown or black, age spots appear when melanin clumps together in a small area.• Melasma: It looks like age spots but appears in a larger area. Melasma occurs due to hormonal changes. For instance, during pregnancy it appears on the cheeks, forehead and even abdomen.• Dark patches: They happen due to injury to the top layer of the skin. Acne is one of the major reasons for dark blemishes on the skin’s surface.
TOPICAL TREATMENTS The kind of treatment you need depends on the extent of your pigmentation. Before you pick up an OTC depigmentation cream, it is best to consult a dermatologist. Here is a checklist of active ingredients that you can look for in different brands.• Hydroquinone: It is effective and safer in case you have sensitive skin. Most cosmetic skin-lightening products use a 2 % concentration, while prescription creams have 4% or more. It also has antioxidant properties.• Tretinoin: It is an acidic form of Vitamin A (retinol). A.0.5% to 0.1% tretinoin cream promotes faster cell growth leading to an even skin colour.• Azelaic acid: It is extracted from grains such as wheat, rye and barley. It is great for treating acne-induced dark patches and skin discolouration. Look for a 20% concentration.• Vitamin C: It improves cell turnover, thus removing the darker upper layers.• Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs): In the form of lactic acid and glycolic acid, AHAs help in reducing discolouration by improving cell turnover and exfoliation.
No comments:
Post a Comment