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For Flawless Skin

skin care solutions for healthy, flawless skin

Skincare Concerns

Hyperpigmentation 101: What it is and How to Treat it

Hyperpigmentation

What is hyperpigmentation?

In simple terms, hyperpigmentation is where excess melanin causes areas of the skin to darken abnormally. The dark spots or dark patches that occur can be caused for a number of reasons and it can be difficult to totally get rid of it. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by scarring after acne, injury to the skin, over-exposure to the sun, or for hormonal reasons.

Types of hyperpigmentation

There are many types of hyperpigmentation and many causes. Some of the most common types of hyperpigmentation are:

  1. Age spots – also known as liver spots or lentigines. These are caused by over exposure to UV rays from the sun over an extended period.
  2. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – these are generally caused by some kind of “injury” of some sort or some other inflammation, generally cuts, burns, rashes or acne. Most of us have experienced this type of hyperpigmentation at some point. The dark scars caused by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can fade after weeks or months but in many cases, it can take several years.
  3. Melasma – also known as chloasma. Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that generally occurs during pregnancy, estrogen is responsible for stimulating skin cells to produce extra melanin and this causes dark patches on the face. Melasma symptoms can also occur in women taking estrogen-based contraception or hormone replacement therapy.

Hyperpigmentation can also be caused by certain medical conditions such as celiac disease and Addison’s disease or as a side effect of certain medications. Some medications can cause the skin to be more sensitive to the sun, therefore further increasing the risk of hyperpigmentation if you are exposed to sunlight.

Hyperpigmentation - Melasma Treatment

Hyperpigmentation is sometimes caused by friction and dry skin and can occur on any body part. Common problem areas are the knees, elbows, knuckles, underarms and more intimate areas such as between the thighs or around the anus.

How to treat hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation can improve on its own it often takes several months or even years. Many people choose to use some sort of skin lightening treatment in order to speed up the improvement of symptoms.  There are several treatments available in order to speed up the process and fade dark marks. You can find some product suggestions at the end of this article.

Hyperpigmentation can be treated with topical treatments such as skin lightening creams or with more involved cosmetic procedures such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels and laser treatment. Most of these procedures are carried out by a dermatologist but home treatments are becoming more and more popular. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are no longer confined to the dermatologist’s office – it is possible to find milder treatments that are safe for the home but the instructions to still have to be followed carefully.

When it comes to skin lightening products, there are dozens available on the market. Skin lightening creams, gels, soaps and pills are common. When it comes down to which to choose, this generally comes down to personal preference.

If you’re using skin lightening products, be sure to use sunscreen

Melanin is responsible for determining our skin color and when the skin is exposed to the sun, more melanin is produced and that is why most people’s skin gets darker in the sun. If you are dealing with hyperpigmentation in a particular area, when these areas are exposed to the UV light, excess melanin is produced and that is why it is especially important to use sun screen if you are treating hyperpigmentation. Using skin lightening products to treat hyperpigmentation and not using sunscreen is just throwing money away. You won’t see the best results with any skin lightening treatment unless you use a sunscreen and I recommend that you use at least SPF 30.

Meladerm contains naturally derived ingredients. to safely fade dark marks. No hydroquinone, mercury or parabens.

Choose safe skin lightening ingredients

There are a number of effective ingredients found in skin lightening products. Some are safe and some can be harmful to your skin. The most common skin lightening agent, and one of the most effective is hydroquinone however, there is a lot of debate about how safe it is to use. Hydroquinone has been linked to a skin condition called ochronosis – a condition that causes permanent discoloration of the skin. Some lab tests have also shown that there may be a link between hydroquinone and cancer and further studies are taking place to determine if hydroquinone can cause cancer in humans. Currently, skin lightening products containing up to a 2% concentration of hydroquinone are FDA approved and available over the counter in the US but are banned in many other countries including the United Kingdom and many parts of Africa.

Even at low concentrations, hydroquinone should not be used for prolonged periods and if you need to treat hyperpigmentation over a period of over 3 months, I would strongly recommend using products that do not have hydroquinone as an active ingredient.

Other ingredients that are known to cause damage to the skin include mercury and corticosteroids. When choosing a skin lightening treatment, it is best to avoid these altogether.

Alternative skin lightening ingredients include arbutin, kojic acid, licorice extract and Vitamin C.

You can treat hyperpigmentation with ingredients you in your kitchen

Lemon juice applied to the skin is widely used as a home remedy for acne and skin blemishes. Lemon juice is really great at removing dead skin and brightening the skin over time. It does make the skin more sensitive to the sun so it is really important to wash it off and use sunscreen after. Better yet, use it before bed so you avoid exposure to the sun altogether.

Turmeric is a dark yellow spice common to South East Asian cooking. It is known to treat burns and reduce hyperpigmentation. There are a number of turmeric face masks you can make but the simplest is to create a paste with turmeric and lemon juice and apply it to the affected areas.

Potatoes also contain natural skin bleaching agents and chances are you already have some in your kitchen. Grate the potatoes, squeeze out the juice then you can apply the juice to the affected areas using a cotton ball.

Other natural home remedies include aloe vera and honey. Both have natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that allow the skin to heal quickly with minimal scarring.

But what if you need to see faster results? Consistent use of skin lightening products will start to show results in as little as two weeks but 2-3 months is more likely. Anything that promises faster results is likely to be harmful to the skin so be sure to read those labels.

I have used Meladerm with great results on my acne scars. It took about 3 weeks before the results were noticeable to me but I used the whole bottle, which lasted me about 4 months.

Popular Hyperpigmentation Treatments

 

Stretch Marks 101: Causes, Treatments & Side Effects

For Flawless Skin Guides, Stretch Marks

Stretch Marks 101: Causes, Treatments & Side Effects

Stretch marks appear as raised lines on the skin. They occur due to rapid changes in the dermis, the middle skin layer over a period of time. These changes include weight and height changes. They affect men and women of all ages and nationalities.
They occur when there is hormonal change in the body due to puberty, pregnancy, medical ailments, extreme weight gain, or growth spurts. Heredity is also a factor with stretch marks. Since they occur in the dermis, they can appear anywhere on the body.

How do I know I have stretch marks?

You will see raised lines or striations on your body. The locations could vary from the upper arms, thighs, abdomen, breasts, buttocks, and nearly everywhere on you body. The lines may appear red in the beginning developing phase. They may also be itchy as the skin stretches and the stretch marks develop.

stretch marks information
Credit Photo © markcarper – Fotolia.com

How do they look?

The appearance of stretch marks depend on the race of the person affected. Sometimes they are red or purple while other times they are silvery or pale. As they age, the color may blend in with original skin tone. Everyone’s experience is different.

What are common causes of stretch marks?

For women, pregnancy is a major reason for stretch marks. As the baby grows, the abdominal skin begins to stretch, resulting in stretch marks. They may also occur on the legs, arms, and breast during pregnancy.

For men, body building can cause stretch marks as the muscles grow rapidly during workouts. Stretch marks can occur on the chest, arms,  and legs during the body transformation.

Obesity or rapid weight gain causes stretch marks in men and women. Rapid height increases can also cause stretch marks. Medical conditions requiring cortisones or steroids have been proved to cause stretch marks as well.

Besides the visual symptoms, what are some other symptoms of stretch marks?

Another physical symptom of stretch marks itchy dry skin. As the skin is expanding, itchiness and sensitivity may be experienced. Red skin or red striations in the skin may appear as the stretch marks are forming.

When should you see your doctor?

Talk to your doctor when you notice you skin changes. They can advise you on how to proceed with the care of your skin.

How can I get rid of stretch marks?

You can make them appear less apparent and blend in with your skin using the following techniques:

Moisturizing the area affected by stretch marks.

  • When stretch marks are forming, the most common symptom is itchy skin. While this is happening, moisturizing your skin with a good oil or lotion may relieve these symptoms. Some lotions and oils may also assist in blending the changing skin with the rest of your skin tone.  Vitamin E and Shea butter are traditional remedies for the dry skin symptoms.

stretch marks information

Doctor

Your doctor may have surgical alternatives for you. Consider these only when you have exhausted the over the counter and natural remedies available to you.

  • Laser Treatments can reduce the appearance of the old and young stretch marks. These treatments can start with a price ranging from $400 to $1000 to initiate the treatment.
  • Retinols & Glycolic Acids are cheaper have been proven to diminish the signs of stretch marks. While these results are great, they make the skin more sensitive to sun exposure. These two chemicals can be used alone or together to increase the collagen production in the skin. Its best to use then under the guidance of doctor to ensure they are used properly.

Side Effects Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are a natural occurrence but when it happens to you, you may feel isolated. This type of feeling can cause self-esteem issues especially when you feel you look different that the rest of your peers.

Due to this, many people alter their wardrobes to hide or camouflage their changing skin. This is most apparent in the summer time, especially during swim suit season.

Relationship issues may occur as a result of stretch marks. Hiding your body from your loved one may cause intimacy issues if you are embarrassed of completely exposing yourself to the person who loves you the most.

Cellulite 101: What Causes Cellulite and How To Get Rid of It

Cellulite, For Flawless Skin Guides

 What is Cellulite?

Under the skin, you have a layer of connective tissue and underneath that, there are layers of fat and muscle. Cellulite occurs when the fat layers start to protrude through the connective tissue in an irregular fashion and this gives the skin the bumpy appearance that is characteristic of cellulite. There are many theories as to why this happens but the most widely accepted is that it is caused by a weakening in the structure of the connective tissue and that allows the fat to protrude through. Collagen is a major component of connective tissue and elastin is another important component for keeping skin looking smooth. As we age, both collagen and elastin production slow down and that weakens the structure of the connective tissue and that makes it more likely for cellulite to appear.

What is Cellulite - Structure of Skin

Over 80% of women have cellulite to some degree and the areas that are most commonly affected are the thighs and the buttocks although it can also affect the stomach, arms and other areas. Men don’t seem to be affected by cellulite as much as women and that is because of differences in how fat is stored in men vs. women.

Read on to find out what causes cellulite, what makes it worse and most importantly, how to get rid of it!

What Causes Cellulite?

Apart from the slowing down of collagen and elastin production, a secondary cause of cellulite is the build-up of toxins in the body. Usually, the liver breaks down any toxins in the body when it cannot, they are stored in cells just under the skin. This causes fat and fluid retention in the cells, reducing circulation and stops the lymphatic cells from draining properly. Reduced circulation to these vital skin cells causes the connective tissues to be stretched which again, results in the bumpy and uneven orange peel look that is associated with cellulite.

Cellulite doesn’t only affect people who have excess fat. Some people who aren’t overweight have cellulite and some people who are overweight don’t.

Lack of exercise and a poor diet can slow down the body’s process for removing waste from the cells and this causes a build-up of toxins and poor circulation. Tight underwear and clothing can reduce circulation in the thigh and buttock area and this can also make cellulite look worse.

Hormonal imbalances can also affect the structure of the skin. Too much estrogen or too little estrogen can also cause weakening of the connective tissue within the skin. After the age of 40, estrogen levels begin to decline and the skin also begins to lose elasticity. Younger women’s skin can also be affected by too much estrogen, though. A poor diet, stress and hormonal contraceptives can cause high levels of estrogen in the body.

Cellulite Treatments

First off, just getting rid of fat is not enough! A common misconception is that only overweight people get cellulite. Everybody has layers of fat underneath the skin so you don’t have to be overweight to get cellulite. To reduce the appearance of cellulite, you need to somehow change the structure of the layers of skin cells or improve circulation to these skin cells. But how can you do that?

If we take the first point around changing the structure of your skin, the most common treatments strengthen the collagen fibers that make up the connective tissue under the skin or they reduce the amount of fat content in cells. Reducing the amount of fat content is not as effective of a cellulite treatment because as mentioned earlier, cellulite is not about the amount of fat contained in the body but more about how that fat is affected by the surrounding layers in the skin.

Liposuction

Liposuction is actually not effective on cellulite at all and many people who have had liposuction have complained that their cellulite ended up looking worse. Lipo is great for removing fat and sculpting the body but because cellulite is not caused the simple presence of fat, let’s consider other treatments.

Laser and Radiofrequency Treatments

There are a number of laser and radiofrequency cellulite treatments available for treating cellulite. These work by using the heat of the laser to “melt” fat but also to stimulate collagen and elastin production, which strengthen the connective tissues in the skin. Treatment prices can cost thousands of dollars and although effects can be long lasting after several months of treatment, they are not necessarily permanent.

Cellulite Creams

Many topical products on the market promise to improve the appearance of cellulite but how effective this is really depends on the product. Cellulite creams typically work by increasing collagen production or increasing circulation to the skin. Caffeine is one of the products that is said to increase circulation to the skin and it can be found in many cellulite creams. Retinol is another topical cellulite treatment and it works by stimulating production of collagen and elastin to improve thickness and elasticity of the skin. Scientific studies show that some topical treatments are effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite but it is a slow process.

Diet & Exercise

Diet and exercise cannot totally get rid of cellulite but it can improve your muscle tone and the quality of your skin, which will dramatically reduce the appearance of cellulite. Adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle will reduce the build-up of toxins in the body, which will improve circulation and the general appearance of your skin. Drinking plenty of water, getting regular exercise and avoiding stress, nicotine and alcohol are things that we can all be doing to adopt a healthier lifestyle and they certainly help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Massage for Cellulite

Cellulite treatments that work by improving circulation include cellulite body wraps, massage and dry brushing. All of these stimulate the skin and increase blood flow to skin cells, which improves the texture of the skin. You can buy cellulite reducing machines, such as the Wellbox Body Tissular Rejuvenate Cellulite Anti-Aging Therapy Optimizer, and these work by stimulating the skin to improve circulation.