Everyone’s unique hair, skin, and eye colour are determined by the melanin in the body. Melanin is a natural pigment found in your skin, and when the production of melanin is altered, this causes the skin to go lighter or darker. Pigmentation of the skin refers to areas that develop an unexplained change in colour.
What alters the amount of melanin in the skin?
Melanin is produced inside specialized cells called melanocytes on the skin’s outside layer. Variations in skin colour can depend on these tiny melanin producers’ size and amount in the skin.
Melanin occurs in two types: eumelanin and pheomelanin. While eumelanin protects the skin, pheomelanin is supportive of oxidative damage.
Genetic factors can dictate how much eumelanin or pheomelanin your skin cells produce and how well they survive and exert their influence. Skin damage can also alter the amount of melanin produced. This occurs with problems such as acne or burns and with sun exposure. Hormonal fluctuations, such as in pregnancy, can also affect the production of melanin, as can the use of certain drugs, e.g. oral contraceptives.
Hyperpigmentation
Even though hyperpigmentation is usually not harmful or dangerous to your health, some feel it affects their self-confidence. Very rarely, hyperpigmentation can indicate an underlying condition, but it is primarily a cosmetic problem.
Luckily, you can use products to reduce the appearance of dark spots and even out the skin while protecting it from further damage. If you notice any of these dark spots, it is best to start treating the skin as soon as possible.
Dark spot solutions by Vichy
Vichy’s Liftactiv Specialist B3 Dark Spots Serum is a facial serum that reduces the appearance of dark spots while also providing an anti-wrinkle effect. The two anti-ageing concerns can be tackled together with this product that fights against external and internal damaging factors.
Liftactiv Specialist B3 Dark Spots Serum contains Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) which decreases the appearance of dark spots; Glycolic acid, and peeling actives, which help peel dark spots on the surface and increase radiance; and anti-ageing peptides that help increase the production of collagen and also help decrease the degradation of collagen.
Clinically proven results after just eight weeks of use. Users saw an apparent reduction in wrinkles accompanied with a reduction of dark spots. Dark spots were reduced by an average of 29% and up to 71%.
Even skin routine
Vichy Laboratoires has studied the effects of UV radiation for decades and has been developing products with new technology based on this research. Most sun protection products in their range also perform other functions, such as giving the skin extra hydration or providing further protection against premature ageing and developing dark spots.
To help your skin stay as healthy as possible, avoid sun exposure at peak times but it is very important to prevent photoaging by skin using sun protection all year round, even on cloudy days. Remember that UV rays and pollution are responsible for more than 80% of aging signs.
Vichy Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF 50+, UVA PF 56, is an advanced UV sunscreen that protects and corrects skin from photoaging signs. Thanks to 2% Niacinamide to correct dark spots and 4% anti-wrinkle peptides to reduce wrinkles.
Finally, be consistent with your skin care regimen always including skin protection to help correct dark spots and prevent further damage.
Sources:
What You Need to Know About Skin Pigmentation. (n.d.). Verywell Health. Retrieved 12 September 2022, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/skin-pigmentation-5088368
What You Should Know About Hyperpigmentation. (2022, March 6). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/hyperpigmentation