Feeling Spotty? (LOL) Hyperpigmentation...

  Hyperpigmentation & dark spots are such a buzzword right now. They are largely cause by sun and damage accumulates over time and show up on the surface as time goes on. If you see your skin under ultraviolet light, you can see all the sun damage and spots that haven't even reached the surface yet! An interesting thing to see, when I was in Esthetics school, I was able to get to do this using a device called a "wood lamp". It was really fascinating for me to see as well! There are ways to treat it tho and before it even surfaces to start treating and so the visual effects aren't as harsh or troubling for what it may be for someone.
  Hyperpigmentation is also cause by post-acne scars and melasma that can be caused by pregnancy, the widely used term for that is the "pregnancy mask".There are different kinds of pigmentation issues and their causes for it. Acne will leave post-acne marks behind. There's plenty of OTC (Over-the-counter) treatments for this and as well plenty of cosmetic treatments, facials & procedures to address these concerns. Now I will cover some of the ways to address these main concerns. PLEASE make sure to wear a daily sunscreen to prevent any further sun damage and any more spots. These treatments aren't truly beneficial without it!

Over-the counter treatments (OTC): A very well-formulated star ingredient and that has been getting a lot of momentum right now is Vitamin C, it's in plenty of of serums and moisturizers and research has shown that it does help in fact brighten skin and fade dark spots, as well as help with lines/wrinkles. Kojic Acid has been making waves recently in the skin care world, a natural derivative that helps as well to brightening and maintaining your complexion as well. Licorice Root extract in formulas are a great combination to add to a list of ingredients to boost those lightening results. There's also prescription Hydroquinone but also found in OTC formulas just at lower strength to help as well. Japanese Angelica Root is an extract that has been used for many years and for it's brightening effects, it's been lately used in recent newer formulas in products. I'm seeing it pop up more on many lists now actually. Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient and is one of the best age-defying ingredients out there, helps with wrinkles, acne, dark spots and even texture, there are both OTC and prescription ones on the market, the difference is that the OTC go at a slow pace to achieve desired results and Prescription you can see it possible sooner and they are stronger versions as well (Commonly known as Tretinoin). If there is anything I'm forgetting to mention about, Sorry (LOL)... ^_^


Cosmetic procedures & Treatments: Theres such a wide array of treatments you can do now and right at our disposal, there's many at-home treatments as well... I will cover some professional ones you can do though. There plenty of in-office, day spa and Medi-spa chemical peels you can do. Most use Glycolic and/or both Lactic acid, as well as... Mandelic acid, Azalaic acid, or Trichloroacetic acid (also known TCA peel). Other ingredients can be combined as well to treat the hyperpigmentation, as well as Vitamin C. Also, non-ablative and ablative lasers can produce wonderful results for evening out the skintone. Non-ablative lasers requires a few treatments to seek your desired results, Ablative lasers should be looked at as a "one-stop treatment", they are prominently much stronger of an intensity of a laser, depending the intensity will leave your skin raw-like. These offices or Medi-spas will also make recommendations or products to purchase in-office for post-procedure treatments topicals to use at home for the "healing process". Ablative lasers do require a few to several days of downtime, so be mindful of your work schedules and creating a free space of time in-between. I definitely do believe that Ablative lasers and the advanced technology for them have improved for the downtime for these procedures through the recent years.

Final Words: In this day & age, there are countless of treatments available and at our hands to take advantage of. That is something certainly to be grateful for! ^_^

Yours truly always,

Mr. Skin Care Guru