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Video tutorials on make-up imitating freckles have been breaking records for views for more than a season. But their brothers – age spots – are less fortunate, they get rid of them in all possible ways. We understand where pigmentation on the skin comes from and how to get rid of it or at least make it less noticeable.
What is pigmentation
The main causes of age spots
The production of melanin is enhanced by exposure to ultraviolet rays. If you bring not only a tan, but also freckles, and possibly pigment spots of a larger diameter from a vacation in hot countries, then your skin is prone to hyperpigmentation.
Go through an individual anti-aging skin diagnosis based on artificial intelligence and choose the right care!
during pregnancy;
while taking oral contraceptives;
after menopause.
In swarthy people, hyperpigmentation is much less common. Helps them in this eumelanin – a natural dark pigment that protects the skin from exposure to sunlight.
Our test will answer the question of which sunscreen to choose for protection in the city.
Types of age spots
What types of pigmentation are found on human skin?
Moles
The most common type of pigmentation is moles or nevi. Every person has them, their number can change throughout life. Their condition and changes must be closely monitored: moles can turn into melanoma, a deadly tumor.
It is possible to remove nevi only after consultation with a dermatologist and according to the results of dermatoscopy performed by him. This is a diagnostic method in which the doctor examines the patient’s nevi using a fluorescent microscopy apparatus with a magnification of 10 times.
Freckles
Freckles (scientifically, ephelids) are usually found in young people. This type of spots is clearly manifested on the exposed parts of the body (back, face, neck and shoulders) with the onset of the period of active sun (April-October) and turns pale with the advent of autumn.
Age pigment spots
This type of pigmentation most often manifests itself after 40 years, especially during menopause. A large number of age-related pigment formations is due to the fact that the immune protective properties of the skin decrease with age and it cannot withstand chronic photodamage.
Spots of this origin become darker and more extensive with age, and it becomes more and more difficult to remove them, because:
the ability to regenerate in mature skin is much weaker than in young;
the production of collagen and elastin slows down;
weaken the protective functions of the skin.
It starts
Post-inflammatory pigmentation differs from moles and freckles in the distribution of pigment. However, the methods of its prevention and control are similar to the prevention and minimization of hyperpigmentation in general.
Vitamin A-based cosmetics help lighten age spots
Cosmetics for pigmentation
Having taken care of the elimination of age spots, do not ignore the means for home skin care. They will not perform a miracle, but they will help lighten the pigment and prevent its further formation.
Creams
As a rule, they contain a small concentration of active clarifying substances (read about them below), well suited for daily use.
Serums
The most effective product in this category due to the high content of active ingredients such as acids and retinoids. Use strictly in accordance with the instructions.
Masks
An important part of maintenance care, which, in particular, allows you to even out skin tone before an important event.
The main ingredients of anti-pigmentation cosmetics
Neither cosmetics nor aesthetic procedures will be able to completely remove the pigment spot. However, it is quite possible to noticeably lighten it. We tell you what ingredients in cosmetics you should pay attention to.
Retinoids
Retinoids, that is, derivatives of vitamin A, regulate the process of cell renewal of the epidermis and dermis, which makes them effective components of cosmetics against acne and post-acne. But even in the lines for mature skin, retinoids are used quite often.
Laser, elos and phototherapy are effective against pigmentation
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
This ingredient fights pigmentation by accelerating the renewal of the epidermis and reducing the synthesis of melanin in the skin. Vitamin C also enhances cell defense against free radicals and boosts collagen synthesis.
Vitamin C has one important nuance: it works only in products whose packaging does not imply contact with air and light.
Arbutin
It slows down the synthesis of melanin and, according to its action, is a non-toxic analogue of hydroquinone, known for its whitening effect.
kojic acid
The main advantage of kojic acid is its solubility in water and oil without loss of properties. Plus, there is no need for special packaging, unlike vitamin C. Cosmetics containing this substance accelerate the renewal of the epidermis, reduce the production of melanin, and help in lightening age spots.
Fruit acids
AHA acids, including glycolic, lactic, malic, lighten age spots due to exfoliation. At the same time, glycolic acid molecules, having a smaller size, are able to penetrate into the epidermis deeper than others. And lactic acid, among other things, helps the skin retain moisture in the cells.
Azelaic acid
Manufacturers of cosmetics for problem skin love this ingredient for its bactericidal properties. In addition, it brightens age spots, accelerating the renewal of the epidermis.
Salon treatments for lightening age spots
The most important point when carrying out any of the procedures described below is caution when choosing a specialist. Therefore, we advise you not to contact the salons for discount coupons and promotions. Feel free to ask your friends for recommendations, do not be lazy to surf the Internet for reviews – after all, an unscrupulous or unskilled cosmetologist can not only impose an unnecessary service on you, but also harm your health.
The best prevention for hyperpigmentation is sunscreen
Consider the following contraindications for the use of retinoids, the passage of laser, elos and phototherapy:
pregnancy;
diabetes;
herpes;
violation of the integrity of the skin in the selected area.
Chemical peeling
The choice of chemical peels against pigmentation is very wide, there are formulas with trichloroacetic, azelaic, salicylic and other acids, as well as with retinol. Peelings are superficial, medium or deep, depending on the condition of the skin and the desired result.
Phototherapy
The principle of operation of this hardware procedure: the skin is treated with light pulses that destroy the color pigment – melanin. Immediately after the session, the treated areas darken, then the skin on them, exfoliating, is updated. The result can be seen quickly, but sometimes you need to take a course.
Elos
Elos, or electro-optical synergy, combines light and electrical technologies: with the help of high-intensity pulsed light, cells with a high pigment content are locally destroyed without damaging surrounding tissues. With this method, superficial age spots are quickly removed.
Mesotherapy
These are injections of a special preparation or working with a mesoscooter – a roller with many super-thin needles. Mesotherapy is very effective with cocktails that have a brightening effect or normalize the production of melanin in the future.
Laser therapy
Prevention of pigmentation
Remember three simple rules of preventive care for skin prone to pigmentation (or during acne treatment).
Do not use products that irritate the skin
For example, choose a finely dispersed scrub and do not use it every day. And exclude alcohol-containing products altogether – they dry the skin and slow down its regeneration. When using chemical exfoliants (or doing procedures based on them), moisturize the skin more often – under the influence of acids, it loses moisture.
Apply sunscreen every day
During the period of active sun, choose a protection factor of at least 30 for everyday life and SPF 50 for the beach. The rest of the time you can use funds with SPF 15-25. This rule applies to those who use exfoliants (they increase photosensitivity) and to those whose skin becomes pigmented after a week at the spa.
Do not touch inflamed skin
With age, the ability to regenerate the skin slows down significantly. If you have inflammation, in no case should you touch them. Violating the integrity of the skin, you run the risk of aggravating the situation, and traces of microdamage will take much longer than in adolescence.
Cosmetics to combat pigmentation
Highly effective night care cream Retinol 0.3, SkinCeuticals
Use only at bedtime. First every three days, then every other day. Retinol 0,3% stimulates cellular regeneration and collagen synthesis, which provides lightening of age spots and reduction of wrinkles.
Serum cream for skin radiance and against age spots Re-Plasty Laserist, Helena Rubinstein
Ingredients include an ellagic acid complex for brightening action, proxylan and lipohydroxy acids for radiance. As a result, dark spots, pores and wrinkles become less visible.
Highly effective serum against pigmentation and persistent age spots Discoloration Defense Serum, SkinCeuticals
Tests have shown that with daily use, the product reduces the intensity of age spots, including persistent ones, by 2% in 41 weeks.