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Many of their owners are proud of freckles, which cannot be said about age spots – most often they want to get rid of them. Of course, here we can say that it was necessary to do prevention, that is, do not roast in the sun and use cream with SPF even in the city. But if this has already happened, we will show you how to get rid of pigmentation with peeling.
What you need to know about peeling for age spots
Age spots are melanin accumulated in the skin, the result of long and carefree (apparently) insolation. SkinCeuticals medical expert Oksana Makarevich explains: “It has been scientifically proven that age spots can be located in the epidermis, dermis and on their borders. The result of peeling depends on the depth of pigmentation: the deeper and larger the accumulation of melanin, the more difficult it is to obtain the desired effect.”
Peeling, which removes layers of skin along with age spots, is one of the most reliable and time-tested remedies. Renewed skin is freed from excess pigmentation, at least for a while. The deeper the pigmentation, the deeper the peeling will be required.
Take our quiz to find out what your skin wants.
Types of peeling against age spots
Today, cosmetologists have several types of peeling in their arsenal for a general anti-aging effect, combating age spots and other skin imperfections:
laser;
radio wave;
chemical.
Among the varieties of chemical peeling, kojic is especially famous for “anti-pigmentation”.
Mechanism of action
The action of peeling, regardless of its variety, can be compared with an eraser. When we don’t like irregular lines and spots on a sheet of paper, we erase them, simultaneously removing the topmost layer of the sheet’s surface.
With the help of peeling, the stratum corneum is “sloughed off”, “releasing” young skin to the surface.
Human skin consists of three layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. The topmost (outer) layer, the epidermis, consists of 5 layers, each of which is several rows of a particular type of cell. And if melanin has stained (like ink) one (or several) of them, this layer can be removed along with the stain. But only a dermatologist can deal with the depth of pigmentation.
What peeling is best for pigment spots on the face
The beautician will help you choose the best method to combat hyperpigmentation.
Laser
In the right hands, laser machines work wonders and are sometimes referred to as the bloodless alternative to plastic surgery. But, of course, you need to be 100% sure of the clinic, as well as the qualifications of the specialist who performs the procedure.
Laser peeling is a complex rejuvenation procedure, as well as getting rid of scars, post-acne and other imperfections. It makes no sense to resort to it in order to get rid of a small pigment spot, the fight against hyperpigmentation will become only one of the positions of a multi-vector improvement in skin quality.
Modern devices are capable of creating real miracles.
The settings of laser devices allow you to adjust the depth of penetration into the skin. That is, even spots that lie on the border of the epidermis and dermis are subject to the laser.
Radio wave
If you do not go into physics, radio wave peeling does, in essence, the same thing as laser, only penetration into the skin and controlled destruction of cells occurs due to radio waves, not light. Both are electromagnetic waves of different frequencies.
Radio wave peeling is considered more gentle than laser peeling. However, it is difficult to give an unambiguous assessment, because everything depends on the required depth of peeling, as well as on individual sensitivity.
Whichever option you choose, you will need a course of several procedures. Their number and frequency depend on the degree of hyperpigmentation and the tactics proposed by the doctor.
Chemical
This is the most affordable option for peeling. Many even consider it an annual “facelift”. As with other types of peeling, its goal is to destroy a layer of skin cells along with hyperpigmentation.
Superficial peeling, perhaps the leader in popularity among cosmetic procedures, along with Botox and filler injections. Helps to get rid of freckles and age spots or make them less noticeable (as we already know, sometimes a age spot lies too deep to reach it). The course is 6-8 procedures once a year. Assign it, basically, in the fall.
Median peeling gives a more pronounced anti-aging effect and helps get rid of hyperpigmentation. Is it really needed, the cosmetologist will tell you. This procedure has a recovery period (up to a month), and it is better to spend the first week after the session at home.
Deep peeling carried out only for medical reasons, since it involves the complete removal of the epidermis. The rehabilitation period after such a serious intervention is long. Full recovery of the epidermis with proper care can be expected no earlier than six months after the procedure.
How to make peeling from age spots yourself
Beautyholics love experiments, including with peels. To avoid failure, choose home-based products for this purpose that will allow you to do a superficial chemical peel yourself. There are many such products on the shelves of cosmetic stores, and one of the purposes of such formulas is to combat hyperpigmentation.
Cosmetic peels against age spots usually contain the following substances:
AHA acids (glycolic, citric, kojic, etc.);
vitamin C in high concentration;
retinol, which promotes skin renewal and fights excess pigmentation;
a complex of antioxidants to accelerate the healing of damage and stimulate cell renewal.
Preparing for the procedure
The preparatory stage involves a thorough step-by-step cleansing of the skin:
make-up removal or pre-cleansing without water;
washing with gel or foam;
use of tonic.
After that, peeling is applied to the skin strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Post-procedure care
What to do after cosmetic peeling:
applying a mask or night cream-mask;
application the next day and in general during the entire course of sunscreen SPF 50+; Regular day or foundation cream with SPF 15 is not enough.
Safety measures
Against the background of peeling at home or in the salon, daily maximum SPF protection is absolutely necessary.
The most important thing is sun protection. After all, even after getting rid of age spots, it is easy to get them back if you neglect UV protection.
Cosmetic peels are used before going to bed. On the one hand, there is no risk of insolation at night, and on the other hand, sleep time is the most effective for regenerative processes in the skin.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Many modern peeling products improve complexion and even out skin texture, but not everyone guarantees getting rid of excess pigmentation.
Tips and reviews of cosmetologists
Elena Eliseeva, Vichy expert:
Oksana Makarevich, SkinCeuticals expert:
“The main purpose of peeling in the fight against hyperpigmentation is to remove melanin-containing layers of the epidermis and deliver substances that inhibit the formation of melanin or lead to discoloration of the pigment (vitamin C).”
Review of facial peeling products for age spots
Night Serum Revitalift Laser, L’Oréal Paris
Thanks to the high concentration of pure retinol (0,2%), the content of the bottle visibly renews the skin overnight, helping to smooth wrinkles and lighten age spots. In the morning, care must be supplemented with an SPF.
Concentrated anti-aging care with retinol Redermic Retinol, La Roche-Posay
In addition to retinol, it contains lipohydroxy acid, an effective exfoliating component, thanks to which the product reduces the severity of pigmentation.
Night peeling Re-Plasty Power A + HA, Helena Rubinstein
The two-step beauty-inspired overnight peeling program includes hyaluronic acid gel and retinol cream. After using it, the skin looks radiant and rejuvenated.
Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate, Kiehl’s
A gentle treatment with quinoa and cactus husk extracts, as well as phytic acid, is recommended as an alternative to chemical peels. After seven days of regular use, the skin becomes smoother and its tone evens out.