Hyperpigmentation: Causes and Skincare to Treat this Condition

No matter what your ethnicity, hyperpigmentation is a problem that you could experience at any time of your life. This skin disorder is characterized by the darkening of some areas of the skin, due to increased melanin (give skin color). There are three main types of hyperpigmentation: melasma, lentigines, and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Learning more about the types of hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory type of hyperpigmentation usually occurs after the eruptions of acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, and irritants such as inflammation, scratching and insect bites, among others. This type of hyperpigmentation consists of a skin reaction to inflammation, causing an overproduction of melanin, which leads to a dark spot as a trauma reaction.

Another type of hyperpigmentation is the Lentigines or Lentigo. These are small dark spots encircled by normal skin without any trauma. This condition is normally observed in all skin tones; however, lentigines are more noticeable in fair – skinned individuals. Men are more affected by this skin condition than woman.

Causes and risk factors that worsen the hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation can be caused or get worse by three main causes, that are as follows:

• Genetic predisposition: in this case, it could be inherited mutated genes that pass from one generation to another. One example of this is the birthmarks, which have been passed from generations to others.
• Sun exposure: hyperpigmentation caused by excessive sun exposure is due to the action of melanin, that in this situation absorbs the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, protecting our skin from its direct damage. However, the hyperpigmentation is a low key damage resultant from this.
• Hormonal changes: this is presented commonly in women, during pregnancy, as one of the side effects of the hormonal changes. The dark spots on women during pregnancy are due to the increased production of estrogens or progesterone, which leads to the pigment stimulation.

How to treat hyperpigmentation

There are two ways to treat hyperpigmentation: by conservative therapy or professional treatment. The first option is to have a skin care regimen that is specifically focused on hyperpigmentation. A conservative regimen may include one or more of these topical active skin lightening or skin brightening ingredients: hydroquinone (lightener); which is the gold standard product treating hyperpigmentation; azelaic acid, used especially on the treatment of post acne dark spots; kojic acid that inhibits the activity of tyrosinase, the main enzyme needed to produce melanin pigment; vitamin A; niacinamide (B3), known to improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines, dullness, and vitamin C.

On the other hand, the most popular professional treatment of hyperpigmentation is the different chemical peeling agents. These agents are classified by the depth of penetration, i.e., very superficial to deep. A superficial agent will give excellent results for hyperpigmentation found in the top layers of the skin (epidermis). Pigmentation in the lower layers of the skin will need agents traveling into the dermis. Any penetration into the dermis should be done by a physician only.

There are many lasers that will give excellent results for hyperpigmentation. Since all lasers are not the same, medium to darker skin tones should seek a professional who is knowledgeable in pigmented skin.  

At Global Skin Solutions we have effective skin care solutions for hyperpigmentation

Our Natural Radiance products are formulated to specifically reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation for all skin tones. If you are looking for professional skincare products that offer a solution designed for you, please contact us by clicking this link to fill out our skin assessment form right on your computer. Then return this form by email, sending it to info@globalskin-solutions.com and one of our advisors will generate a clinical report regarding your skin type or condition, within 2-3 business days.

Understanding Skin Care for Different Skin Types

To ensure an effective skin care regime for you, it is important that you get to know your skin type first. By knowing which of the different skin types is the one that defines your skin the best, you could put together the best skin care plan to maintain the quality and beauty of your skin. So, we’ll figure out the characteristics of all the different skin types.

Normal skin has the simplest skin care regime

Normal skin is characterized by not having rashes and lesions. Also, this skin type rarely suffers from acne outbreaks. In women, these occasional outbreaks occur only days before menstruation, as a result of the increased hormones formation, which also increases the activity of the oil glands.

However, it is very common to say that normal skin doesn´t need a skin care regime, which is not the case. It is a false myth to believe that people with normal skin will never experience a skin problem, such as acne outbreaks. Normal skin is not excluded to suffer from sunburns and photoreactions, under long periods of sun exposure, or dryness under any circumstances.

Oily skin needs a daily skin care routine specially designed for this skin type

The main characteristics of oily skin are shiny, coarse and earthy in color. This skin type is more prone to acne outbreaks as well as dark spots in diverse skin tones, due to its excessive activity on the sebaceous glands which produce more oil than the necessary amount. This special condition makes the oily skin one that needs to be cleansed more often than the other skin types.

That’s the reason why oily skin needs a very special skin care regime. A fact that is necessary to know about this skin type is that oiliness might be reduced or even worsened, depending upon the season and weather of the year. Also, puberty, stress, antibiotics and exposure to humidity or heat can affect even more the condition of this skin type.

Dry skin also needs a special skin care regime to get back the moisture it needs

The first characteristic of dry skin is that it is flaky and lifeless. Also, this is one the most delicate skin types because when is exposed to drying factors, skin can flake, crack, peel or become itchy, irritated or inflamed.

So, the first thing that a good skin care regime for dry skin has to consider is the moisturizing factor, to give back the water content that this skin type needs and cannot produce. On the other hand, dry skin can be caused or worsened by different factors, such as: genetics, aging, changes in hormones, weather such as wind, sun, or cold or ultraviolet (UV), radiation and indoor heating, among other causes.

Combination skin also needs specific treatment on skin care

Combination skin might be one of the skin types that are more difficult to take care of, due to its basic characteristics. Being a skin type that presents too much oil on the T Zone (forehead, nose and chin), and being also dry on the cheeks, this skin type is definitely a skin care challenge, because individuals with this skin type need a regime that can cover all these problems.

Which is your skin type? Global Skincare products have customized regimes for your specific skin care needs

At Global Skin Solutions, we are one of the skin care companies that have formulated skin care products for each skin type. Our team of experts have developed a clinical skin care line, according to the needs of each skin tone. If you are looking for professional skin care products that offer a solution designed for you, please contact us sending an email to info@globalskin-solutions.com or visit our online store at http://www.globalskin-solutions.com, and tell us more about your specific skin care needs.