How To Prevent Pigmentation On Your Face, I have spent many hours researching this very question so I can share with you in this article.
Pigmentation is what is commonly referred to as the coloring of the skin. Some skin disorders can change the color of your skin to a darker or lighter shade and that too not necessarily uniformly, which leads to spotted skin.
Melanin is the pigment that is responsible for the pigmentation that you have in your skin.
Melanin in itself is harmless but when it starts overproducing for some reason – be it medical or natural – it can lead to what is known as hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation can affect some patches of your skin or you entire body. Age spots, which are also commonly known as liver spots, are a common type of hyperpigmentation.
Although quite harmless on its own, hyper pigmentation can be a cosmetic issue for people.
We have come a long way in the cosmetics industry but unfortunately nothing that is available today can be a shield against hyperpigmentation.
Those dark patches that you see on your skin that mars your confidence and self-esteem is probably because of hyper pigmentation.
The reason for it is acceleration in production of a compound called Melanin.
There are a whole bunch of reasons that result in hyperpigmentation but the main one, by far, is the sun.
Long exposure to the sun can result in rapid multiplication in melanocytes (cells that contain melanin and are responsible for pigmentation).
We love a sun-kissed tan but going sunbathing without adequate protection can be catastrophic on your skin.
Hyperpigmentation can also be as a result of genetics, hormonal changes, allergic reactions and abrupt weight gains.
Although there are a whole host of dermatological treatments available for hyperpigmentation, the best thing to do is to prevent its outbreak in the first place.
How to treat hyper pigmentation.
In spite of the fact that hyperpigmentation is innocuous, people generally wish to get rid of it.
There are a scope of conceivable treatment techniques and home cures that individuals can attempt.
To avert hyperpigmentation, or to stop it ending up progressively conspicuous:
Stay away from the sun. Utilize a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher to shield the skin and prevent hyperpigmentation from getting to be darker.
Abstain from picking at the skin. To keep hyperpigmentation from shaping after damage, abstain from picking at spots, scabs, and skin break out.
Individuals can attempt the accompanying medications to help dark patches of skin and eradicate hyperpigmentation.
Topical medication and creams.
Numerous people choose to utilize topical medications to treat Hyperpigmentation.
Topical medications will incorporate ingredients that help the skin, for example:
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Retinoids, for example, Tretinoin – Find the latest price on Amazon HERE.
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Some cosmetic procedures can likewise help lighten regions of skin to decrease the presence of hyperpigmentation.
Cosmetic procedures for hyperpigmentation include:
Laser treatment – Extreme pulse light – Chemical peels – Microdermabrasion.
Individuals who are thinking about trying out one of these methodologies ought to talk about the procedure and conceivable symptoms with a skin specialist, or dermatologist.
Treating hyper pigmentation at home.
There are multiple things you can do to treat your hyperpigmentation problem at home.
The remedies shared here are popular cures and regular usage of them in the way we have described below should give you results in 3-6 weeks.
Apple cider vinegar has acetic acid as one of its key ingredients that is believed to lighten skin pigmentation.
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Use this remedy:
- Add equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar in a bowl.
- Apply the solution to your face and leave it on for about five minutes.
- Wash it off with cold water.
- Repeat twice daily to get a naturally lightened skin in six months.
Aloe vera.
Aloe vera has aloin as one of its key components, a natural depigmenting compound that is proven to lighten skin tone and work as an effective non-toxic hyperpigmentation treatment.
A study done in 2012 showed people who used aloe Vera regularly on dark spots reported improvement in skin tone within three months.
Apply pure aloe vera gel on your face before bedtime.
It is best to apply aloe Vera extract directly to your skin but if you don’t have access to an aloe Vera plant, there are over the counter gels available for you to buy.
Rinse with cold water the following morning. Repeat this method until you see visible improvements in your skin tone.
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Red onion
Red onion extract is commonly found as a key ingredient in skin lightening creams which is a testament to its qualities as a depigmenting agent.
Research shows dried onion skin can be a very good skin lightening solution.
Look for skin creams that contain Allium Cepa and use as is instructed in the tube.
Green tea extract
Research done in 2011 shows that green tea extract can possibly have a depigmenting effect when applied to skin.
You can buy green tea extract and apply it as directed.
Some websites also suggest applying green tea bags directly to the affected areas although there is no evidence to back up the claim that it lightens skin tone.
If you’d like to use this solution, here are the steps:
Steep a green tea bag in boiling water for five to ten minutes. Make sure the water is boiling on low heat.
Remove the tea bag and place it aside to cool.
Rub the tea bag on the dark patches in your face.
Go clockwise on the spots and keep rubbing for five to ten minutes.
Repeat twice daily until you see improvement in skin tone.
Black tea water
A study done in 2011 showed that black tea water was amazingly effective in curbing hyperpigmentation in guinea pigs when applied twice a day, six days a week for a month.
The dark spots lightened from the first week itself and kept on becoming lighter, a testament to the quality of black tea water as a depigmenting solution.
To use this method at home, follow this recipe:
- Take a cup of boiling distilled water and ass a tablespoon of fresh black tea leaves to it.
- Soak the leaves in the water for about two hours before staining to remove the leaves.
- Soak a cotton ball and apply to the affected areas twice a day.
- Repeat regularly for six days a week, and for four week.
Licorice extract
Licorice extract is known to contain active ingredients that can help fight hyperpigmentation caused by overexposure to the Sun and melisma.
Licorice extract is a popular ingredient in over the counter depigmenting creams. Buy one that has a Licorice extract percentage of 14% and above and apply as directed.
Milk
Milk has lactic acid and can be a very good solution to fighting skin discoloration.
Milk can restore your skin tone without chemically affecting your skin.
Milk, buttermilk and even sour milk have been proven to show skin lightening effects when applied regularly.
To use milk or any of the other milk byproducts to treat your hyperpigmentation, use the following treatment:
- Take about 100 ml of milk and soak a cotton ball in a way that it gets completely covered by it.
- Rub over your skin patches twice daily.
- Repeat until you see visible change in skin tone.
Tomato paste
A study done by scientists published in The British Journal of Dermatology found that tomato paste that is rich in lycopene can protect the skin from short term and long term effects of sun burn and melisma.
An experiment done to test this theory in 2011 found that participants who took 55 grams of tomato paste in olive oil daily for 12 week showed significant improvement in their skin tone.
Orchid extracts
Orchid extracts are perhaps as effective as vitamin C when it comes to hyperpigmentation remedies.
Applying orchid rich extracts directly to the affected areas have shown to yield significant results in skin tone lightening.
If you are going to use this treatment, it is essential to carry through for at least eight weeks to notice significant irreversible difference in your skin tone.
You can buy skin products containing orchid extract, including masks, creams, and scrubs. Use as directed for the best results.
Raw Potatoes
Potatoes have an enzyme called catecholase that is very effective in stopping excessive melanin production.
Raw potatoes are very good at lightening dark spots and reducing pigmentation of the skin.
If you’d like to use this remedy, follow the instructions:
- Slice a potato in half and rub the sliced raw side directly onto the affected areas in circular motion.
- Continue for five to ten minutes and stop when you feel you’ve covered the spots adequately.
- Let it sit for five minutes before washing your face with lukewarm water.
- Repeat thrice a day for best results.
Hyaluronic Acid
Researchers have found Hyaluronic Acid increases skin moisture.
Microscopic skin surface analysis shows increased skin smoothness and amelioration of wrinkles.
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Related questions.
How can I protect my skin from the sun to avoid hyperpigmentation?
Ensuring that you properly protect your skin and limit your exposure to UV light is the most basic and reliable measure you can take to lessen the chances of experiencing any kind of hyperpigmentation.
This means both applying sufficient sunscreen, and limiting your time spent in the sun.
Generally, opaque sunblocks that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are considered the most effective.
What treatment is best for hyperpigmentation?
If you experience hyperpigmentation there are a number of possible treatments for you to consider. These include topical creams including retinoids and corticosteriods.
Drugs which block the production of melanin may be prescribed. Treatments which effect melanin formation are currently consider the most successful.
Before deciding on any treatments, speak to your doctor or dermatologist to discuss the possibilities and what might be most suited to you.
I think my medication is causing hyperpigmentation in my skin. Can this happen?
Some drugs can increase melanin production and bring about hyperpigmentation.
In order to keep yourself as fully informed as possible always ask the doctor or pharmacist about any medications you are taking that might cause hyperpigmentation.
Ask them for alternatives if they are available.
