No matter how well a person lives, at some point they get skin spots. It sounds like a folk saying and in a way it is, because experience shows that no matter how much we protect ourselves or how we live, hyperpigmentation lurks around the corner and is ready to appear on our face at the most unexpected moment.
In fact, even if we are far from the age for age spots, the danger of waking up with one or another pigment spot on the forehead or chin is real – it can be triggered by hormonal changes, pregnancy, excessive sun exposure, or simply bad genetic luck.
And although we have all read lyrical works where the author sighs over a girl’s freckles, nowhere have we read how the girl feels about those freckles – does she like them, is she comfortable with them, or on the contrary – does she hate them and want to scrape them off her face?
It may sound surprising to people who lack the small, cute dots on their face that those who are blessed with them do not always like them. However, certainly no one likes pigment spots, as well as the more severe cases of melasma and the most hated age spots, whose very name gives one chills.
So, if you have recently developed dark spots on your face and have already experienced the initial shock from them, it is good to deepen your understanding of them – to find out what kind they are, what causes them, and how you can get rid of them.
HYPERPIGMENTATION
Hyperpigmentation is not a disease but rather a term that denotes darker-looking skin. It can be entirely so or on smaller or larger areas, it can spread over the whole body or in specific parts of the body.
In general – there are no exactly defined boundaries for hyperpigmented skin. It does not pose a health risk by itself, but in some cases, it may indicate a medical condition that requires more attention. There are several types of hyperpigmentation – melasma, sun spots, as well as spots after inflammatory processes in the body and on the skin.
Among the common causes of hyperpigmentation is excessive production of melanin – the pigment that gives color to the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and under certain conditions, changes in its production can occur.
Some medications can cause hyperpigmentation, as can chemotherapy or certain medical conditions, such as Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency). Pregnancy is a period when women notice that their skin has areas with changed pigmentation, but often the spots gradually disappear after childbirth.
Hyperpigmentation cannot always be prevented, but generally, the recommendations are to follow a few rules – use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30, wear hats and clothing that protects the skin from the sun, avoid sun exposure during the hours of strongest sunlight (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
MELASMA
Melasma is a common skin problem in which areas of the skin change their color to a darker shade. Another name for this condition is "chloasma" or "the mask of pregnancy," as it occurs more often in women than in men. The signs by which you can recognize that you have melasma are very characteristic: the affected areas of the skin are darker than usual, with the skin of the face most commonly affected.
The spots are symmetrically located on both sides of the face (cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose, chin), but if there are other areas of skin on the body exposed to the sun, they may also be affected. Sometimes melasma also affects the neck and forearms.
The exact causes triggering this condition are not yet known, but it is believed that people with darker skin are predisposed to it. Changes in hormone levels (especially the increase in estrogen) can also contribute to the development of melasma, which means that all oral contraceptives, as well as hormone therapy – for inducing pregnancy, for example, may be conditions for the occurrence of this condition.
Thyroid diseases, as well as severe stress, can also trigger the appearance of spots on the skin, as well as excessive sun exposure. Often the spots disappear on their own – usually this is the case when they are caused by pregnancy or contraceptives. In other cases, treatment includes special creams, sometimes medications, and skin care is mandatory – use of sunscreens, hats, and generally seeking shade from the sun.
FRECKLES
We return to the romantic images painted in literature, of women with faces covered in freckles. Everyone who does not have freckles sees them as some kind of advantage and charm, or a sign of some devilry – Pippi is also covered in freckles, which surely has something to do with her wild character and the fact that she can lift her own horse with one hand.
In real life, however, freckles can be both a blessing and a drawback. The small brown dots on the skin often "explode" in number during spring and summer.
Freckles are harmless and are due to overproduction of melanin caused by stimulation with ultraviolet rays. Few people know that they are divided into two types – ephelides (the most common type) and lentigines (dark spots that form with age and from the sun). The first type is usually the result of sun exposure and sunburn, and they are positioned most often on the face, the backs of the hands, and the upper part of the body.
As we have all heard, read, and seen, the most common victims of these freckles are people with fair skin and hair. Unlike spots caused by the sun, freckles can appear as early as 2-3 years old and fade with age, while spots appear around and after 40 years of age and are difficult to remove. As with other cases of pigmentation, prevention is key here too – use of sunscreen, wearing a hat, and covering parts of the body that can get sunburned, including in winter.
AGE SPOTS
It neither sounds good nor looks good, what is it? An age spot. Even joking aside, age spots are exactly that – not particularly attractive and it also sounds terrible to admit "I am covered in age spots."
How to recognize that we have age spots? They vary in color – from light brown to black, and they have the same texture as the rest of the skin and usually appear on those areas of the skin that can be affected by the sun.
Age spots do not cause pain (except emotional), nor are they dangerous. They do not require treatment, but since they are annoying and irritating, some people prefer to remove them. This is usually done with the use of bleaching creams, which in turn can make the skin sensitive to the sun and therefore good sun protection is also necessary.
ACNE SCARS
Acne is frustrating enough on its own, but its consequences should not be underestimated. If and when you manage to deal with the pimples, scars often remain in their place, as if to remind you of what you went through.
Acne scars are treatable, but before taking steps in this direction, you need to know what type they are – atrophic scars (caused by insufficient collagen during wound healing); shallow or deep box-shaped scars; scars resembling those from smallpox, which penetrate deeply into the skin; hypertrophic scars, most often seen with acne on the back and chest; and dark spots left at the site of an inflamed pimple, which are not scars – they clear up on their own after a few months.
TREATMENT OF HYPERPIGMENTATION
Skin hyperpigmentation is treated in several ways, both gentler and more invasive. Lightening creams are the most commonly used remedy for solving the problem, as they are sold over the counter and widely accessible.
Some of them may be in higher concentrations, and their composition usually includes several substances such as hydroquinone, licorice extract, niacinamide, and others. Lightening creams are most suitable for cases like melasma, age spots, and sun spots.
Exfoliating acids (alpha hydroxy, azelaic, salicylic, etc.) for the face address the problem by "removing" the upper pigmented layer of the skin, and new cells underneath replace the old ones. The process helps even out the color and makes the complexion uniform.
Retinoids are among the oldest methods for evening out skin tone, and their success comes from the fact that their small molecular structure allows them to penetrate deeply into the skin and treat layers beneath the epidermis. Chemical and laser peels, microdermabrasion, as well as intense pulsed light therapy are also options for dealing with various types of hyperpigmentation, as well as acne scars.
The home routine in skin care for hyperpigmentation and acne scars remains the best way for consistent and long-lasting management of the problem. This means one thing – a complete set of products for home use, used step by step, each having its important role in the process of clearing the skin from spots.
MELABEL SERIES FOR PIGMENTED SPOTS
Melabel is Biotrade's series dedicated to the problem of hyperpigmentation and perhaps one of the most used and well-known of all the company's series. Skin care for pigmented spots is based on three main products: cleansing foam, day and night cream, with additional support in the fight against pigmented spots coming from the toner and sunscreen. An important part of the therapy is its consistency and persistence in using the products, which brings the first results – within 4-6 weeks, with optimal results achieved after about 3 months.
MELABEL CLEANSING FOAM
Melabel cleansing foam is delicate and gentle on all skin types with hyperpigmentation. It is recommended for use on skin with uneven tone and dark spots.
Its goal is to remove impurities, cleanse and tighten pores, and prepare the skin for the next stage of therapy. It is used in the morning when washing the face.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
-
Glycolic acid – one of the above-mentioned acids for the face, in this case an alpha-hydroxy acid, which effectively exfoliates the skin and helps with its restoration and regeneration. A bonus is that besides working to remove spots, it also acts against fine lines and wrinkles. No spots, no wrinkles – a true double punch.
MELABEL BRIGHTENING NIGHT CREAM
An extremely important component of the routine for dealing with pigment spots, this cream can be used every night or alternated with the toner every other evening. Its action is aimed at blocking the overproduction of melanin, as well as exfoliating pigmented cells. The first results will be seen in 4-6 weeks, but it is crucial at the beginning that the cream is applied every other evening (even if not alternating with the toner) and only on areas with dark spots, avoiding the eye contour.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
-
Kojic acid – has a multifaceted action in the fight against hyperpigmentation. Blocks excess melanin, distributing it evenly across the skin, and at the same time acts as a whitening agent
-
Glycolic acid – alpha-hydroxy acid, which simultaneously exfoliates dead cells and hydrates the outer layers of the skin. It also stimulates natural collagen production, and fine wrinkles and lines are smoothed under its influence
-
Salicylic acid – the well-known beta-hydroxy acid acts directly on cell renewal, removes the unnecessary layer of the epidermis, breaks down comedones, and the skin becomes more matte
-
Glycerin – its action is gentle and aimed at softening and moisturizing the skin
MELABEL TONER
An additional step in care is the facial toner, one of the favorite steps for many women. The toner is especially recommended for oily skin, it brightens and gently exfoliates, and is also an ideal base for makeup.
Like the foam, the toner has a dual action – on one hand, it evens out the complexion of both the face and body – where there are areas of hyperpigmentation (including after pregnancy, age spots, or freckles); on the other hand, it works against oily skin and tightens pores.
This product is ideal for use by people with oily and heavily pigmented skin and can be alternated with the night cream every other evening. Its use is suitable for wider areas – décolleté, back, forearms, as well as face. Apply with a pad (avoiding the eye contour), after which the face/area is not washed and no other product is applied.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
-
Kojic acid – plays a key role in whitening, blocks the overproduction of melanin and distributes it evenly over the skin surface
-
Glycolic acid – as in the foam, here too the alpha-hydroxy acid stimulates the exfoliation process and cell regeneration, and also smooths fine lines and wrinkles
-
Malic acid – increases skin tone and tightens enlarged pores
-
Lactic acid – well known to all, it is an alpha-hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate dead skin, limits bacterial growth, and stimulates the growth of new cells, while also hydrating and softening the skin.
MELABEL SUN PROTECTION CREAM
This is the strong finish to the care for hyperpigmented skin and is an absolutely essential step in it. The day cream aims to lighten spots of any origin – from sunburns, age spots, spots after pregnancy, acne and hormonal therapy, freckles.
Perhaps its most significant function is protecting the skin from the sun during the day, for which broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with SPF 50+ takes care. The cream is light, does not grease the skin, is an ideal base for makeup, and is applied in the morning on clean skin. If you stay in the sun for a long time, take the cream with you and apply a new layer every 2-3 hours to be maximally protected from the occurrence of new hyperpigmentation and photoaging.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
-
Phytic acid – its main function is to block melanin production and stimulate fibroblasts (dermal cells)
-
Glycerin – a well-known ingredient in many products that softens the skin, cares for its hydration, and greatly increases its elasticity
-
Vitamin E – a powerful antioxidant, protects the skin from free radicals, increases its protective powers
-
Sun protection filters – 2 physical and 3 chemical, covering UVA/UVB rays
**********************
In conclusion, hyperpigmentation is not a dangerous condition, nor painful – but it is unpleasant to look at. In most cases, therapy can be carried out at home, but it must be approached with consistency and patience. Sun protection is an extremely important part of skin care to prevent the formation of new spots – it includes both sun protection products and clothing that blocks the sun.
During the use of whitening products, you should never use creams containing Retin A and vitamin A derivatives, as this can cause skin damage. If your skin is more sensitive, it is possible to feel slight stinging and/or burning, which quickly passes, and the result is worth it – true, it takes time, but it is visible and lasting.
Author: Krasimira Hadjiivanova
What to do when freckles cover the sky dome
No matter how well a person lives, at some point they get skin spots. It sounds like a folk saying and in a way it is, because experience shows that no matter how much we protect ourselves or how we live, hyperpigmentation lurks around the corner and is ready to appear on our face at the most unexpected moment.
In fact, even if we are far from the age for age spots, the danger of waking up with one or another pigment spot on the forehead or chin is real – it can be triggered by hormonal changes, pregnancy, excessive sun exposure, or simply bad genetic luck.
And although we have all read lyrical works where the author sighs over a girl’s freckles, nowhere have we read how the girl feels about those freckles – does she like them, is she comfortable with them, or on the contrary – does she hate them and want to scrape them off her face?
It may sound surprising to people who lack the small, cute dots on their face that those who are blessed with them do not always like them. However, certainly no one likes pigment spots, as well as the more severe cases of melasma and the most hated age spots, whose very name gives one chills.
So, if you have recently developed dark spots on your face and have already experienced the initial shock from them, it is good to deepen your understanding of them – to find out what kind they are, what causes them, and how you can get rid of them.
HYPERPIGMENTATION
Hyperpigmentation is not a disease but rather a term that denotes darker-looking skin. It can be entirely so or on smaller or larger areas, it can spread over the whole body or in specific parts of the body.
In general – there are no exactly defined boundaries for hyperpigmented skin. It does not pose a health risk by itself, but in some cases, it may indicate a medical condition that requires more attention. There are several types of hyperpigmentation – melasma, sun spots, as well as spots after inflammatory processes in the body and on the skin.
Among the common causes of hyperpigmentation is excessive production of melanin – the pigment that gives color to the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and under certain conditions, changes in its production can occur.
Some medications can cause hyperpigmentation, as can chemotherapy or certain medical conditions, such as Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency). Pregnancy is a period when women notice that their skin has areas with changed pigmentation, but often the spots gradually disappear after childbirth.
Hyperpigmentation cannot always be prevented, but generally, the recommendations are to follow a few rules – use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30, wear hats and clothing that protects the skin from the sun, avoid sun exposure during the hours of strongest sunlight (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
MELASMA
Melasma is a common skin problem in which areas of the skin change their color to a darker shade. Another name for this condition is "chloasma" or "the mask of pregnancy," as it occurs more often in women than in men. The signs by which you can recognize that you have melasma are very characteristic: the affected areas of the skin are darker than usual, with the skin of the face most commonly affected.
The spots are symmetrically located on both sides of the face (cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose, chin), but if there are other areas of skin on the body exposed to the sun, they may also be affected. Sometimes melasma also affects the neck and forearms.
The exact causes triggering this condition are not yet known, but it is believed that people with darker skin are predisposed to it. Changes in hormone levels (especially the increase in estrogen) can also contribute to the development of melasma, which means that all oral contraceptives, as well as hormone therapy – for inducing pregnancy, for example, may be conditions for the occurrence of this condition.
Thyroid diseases, as well as severe stress, can also trigger the appearance of spots on the skin, as well as excessive sun exposure. Often the spots disappear on their own – usually this is the case when they are caused by pregnancy or contraceptives. In other cases, treatment includes special creams, sometimes medications, and skin care is mandatory – use of sunscreens, hats, and generally seeking shade from the sun.
FRECKLES
We return to the romantic images painted in literature, of women with faces covered in freckles. Everyone who does not have freckles sees them as some kind of advantage and charm, or a sign of some devilry – Pippi is also covered in freckles, which surely has something to do with her wild character and the fact that she can lift her own horse with one hand.
In real life, however, freckles can be both a blessing and a drawback. The small brown dots on the skin often "explode" in number during spring and summer.
Freckles are harmless and are due to overproduction of melanin caused by stimulation with ultraviolet rays. Few people know that they are divided into two types – ephelides (the most common type) and lentigines (dark spots that form with age and from the sun). The first type is usually the result of sun exposure and sunburn, and they are positioned most often on the face, the backs of the hands, and the upper part of the body.
As we have all heard, read, and seen, the most common victims of these freckles are people with fair skin and hair. Unlike spots caused by the sun, freckles can appear as early as 2-3 years old and fade with age, while spots appear around and after 40 years of age and are difficult to remove. As with other cases of pigmentation, prevention is key here too – use of sunscreen, wearing a hat, and covering parts of the body that can get sunburned, including in winter.
AGE SPOTS
It neither sounds good nor looks good, what is it? An age spot. Even joking aside, age spots are exactly that – not particularly attractive and it also sounds terrible to admit "I am covered in age spots."
How to recognize that we have age spots? They vary in color – from light brown to black, and they have the same texture as the rest of the skin and usually appear on those areas of the skin that can be affected by the sun.
Age spots do not cause pain (except emotional), nor are they dangerous. They do not require treatment, but since they are annoying and irritating, some people prefer to remove them. This is usually done with the use of bleaching creams, which in turn can make the skin sensitive to the sun and therefore good sun protection is also necessary.
ACNE SCARS
Acne is frustrating enough on its own, but its consequences should not be underestimated. If and when you manage to deal with the pimples, scars often remain in their place, as if to remind you of what you went through.
Acne scars are treatable, but before taking steps in this direction, you need to know what type they are – atrophic scars (caused by insufficient collagen during wound healing); shallow or deep box-shaped scars; scars resembling those from smallpox, which penetrate deeply into the skin; hypertrophic scars, most often seen with acne on the back and chest; and dark spots left at the site of an inflamed pimple, which are not scars – they clear up on their own after a few months.
TREATMENT OF HYPERPIGMENTATION
Skin hyperpigmentation is treated in several ways, both gentler and more invasive. Lightening creams are the most commonly used remedy for solving the problem, as they are sold over the counter and widely accessible.
Some of them may be in higher concentrations, and their composition usually includes several substances such as hydroquinone, licorice extract, niacinamide, and others. Lightening creams are most suitable for cases like melasma, age spots, and sun spots.
Exfoliating acids (alpha hydroxy, azelaic, salicylic, etc.) for the face address the problem by "removing" the upper pigmented layer of the skin, and new cells underneath replace the old ones. The process helps even out the color and makes the complexion uniform.
Retinoids are among the oldest methods for evening out skin tone, and their success comes from the fact that their small molecular structure allows them to penetrate deeply into the skin and treat layers beneath the epidermis. Chemical and laser peels, microdermabrasion, as well as intense pulsed light therapy are also options for dealing with various types of hyperpigmentation, as well as acne scars.
The home routine in skin care for hyperpigmentation and acne scars remains the best way for consistent and long-lasting management of the problem. This means one thing – a complete set of products for home use, used step by step, each having its important role in the process of clearing the skin from spots.
MELABEL SERIES FOR PIGMENTED SPOTS
Melabel is Biotrade's series dedicated to the problem of hyperpigmentation and perhaps one of the most used and well-known of all the company's series. Skin care for pigmented spots is based on three main products: cleansing foam, day and night cream, with additional support in the fight against pigmented spots coming from the toner and sunscreen. An important part of the therapy is its consistency and persistence in using the products, which brings the first results – within 4-6 weeks, with optimal results achieved after about 3 months.
MELABEL CLEANSING FOAM
Melabel cleansing foam is delicate and gentle on all skin types with hyperpigmentation. It is recommended for use on skin with uneven tone and dark spots.
Its goal is to remove impurities, cleanse and tighten pores, and prepare the skin for the next stage of therapy. It is used in the morning when washing the face.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
MELABEL BRIGHTENING NIGHT CREAM
An extremely important component of the routine for dealing with pigment spots, this cream can be used every night or alternated with the toner every other evening. Its action is aimed at blocking the overproduction of melanin, as well as exfoliating pigmented cells. The first results will be seen in 4-6 weeks, but it is crucial at the beginning that the cream is applied every other evening (even if not alternating with the toner) and only on areas with dark spots, avoiding the eye contour.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
MELABEL TONER
An additional step in care is the facial toner, one of the favorite steps for many women. The toner is especially recommended for oily skin, it brightens and gently exfoliates, and is also an ideal base for makeup.
Like the foam, the toner has a dual action – on one hand, it evens out the complexion of both the face and body – where there are areas of hyperpigmentation (including after pregnancy, age spots, or freckles); on the other hand, it works against oily skin and tightens pores.
This product is ideal for use by people with oily and heavily pigmented skin and can be alternated with the night cream every other evening. Its use is suitable for wider areas – décolleté, back, forearms, as well as face. Apply with a pad (avoiding the eye contour), after which the face/area is not washed and no other product is applied.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
MELABEL SUN PROTECTION CREAM
This is the strong finish to the care for hyperpigmented skin and is an absolutely essential step in it. The day cream aims to lighten spots of any origin – from sunburns, age spots, spots after pregnancy, acne and hormonal therapy, freckles.
Perhaps its most significant function is protecting the skin from the sun during the day, for which broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with SPF 50+ takes care. The cream is light, does not grease the skin, is an ideal base for makeup, and is applied in the morning on clean skin. If you stay in the sun for a long time, take the cream with you and apply a new layer every 2-3 hours to be maximally protected from the occurrence of new hyperpigmentation and photoaging.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
**********************
In conclusion, hyperpigmentation is not a dangerous condition, nor painful – but it is unpleasant to look at. In most cases, therapy can be carried out at home, but it must be approached with consistency and patience. Sun protection is an extremely important part of skin care to prevent the formation of new spots – it includes both sun protection products and clothing that blocks the sun.
During the use of whitening products, you should never use creams containing Retin A and vitamin A derivatives, as this can cause skin damage. If your skin is more sensitive, it is possible to feel slight stinging and/or burning, which quickly passes, and the result is worth it – true, it takes time, but it is visible and lasting.
Author: Krasimira Hadjiivanova