Environmental and hormonal factors play a major role in hyperpigmentation. Advanced ingredients target the cause of skin discoloration for a smoother, more even complexion.
The freedom to go makeup-free can feel like an impossible dream if you have dark spots or patches on your skin. Dark spots can create the effect of uneven skin tone, shadows, tiredness, or premature aging. The skincare experts at Vichy have created a pioneering treatment to address this complex skin problem, improving skin texture and tone for an even, uniform complexion.
Hyperpigmentation is a condition that can affect people of any age, gender, or skin condition. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people whose skin contains more melanin or tans easily are more susceptible to hyperpigmentation because their skin contains more active pigment-producing cells.
Hyperpigmentation is an umbrella term for skin discolorations that create dark spots or patches on the skin. Discolorations can be concentrated spots that appear darker than the surrounding skin or patches that cover larger areas of the face, such as the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, or upper lip.
Some common names for pigment disorders are:
· Hyperpigmentation
· Melasma
· Sun spots
· Age spots
· Liver spots
· Pregnancy mask
· Lentigo
What causes dark spots and hyperpigmentation?
There can be many causes for uneven pigmentation on the skin. Environmental aggressors, such as pollution and UV, can cause inflammation and irregular brown patches. Hormonal changes during pregnancy or the use of medication, including hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy, can cause the skin to create too much melanin in spots that appear darker than the rest of the skin.
According to Harvard Medical School, the cause of hyperpigmentation and melasma can be complex, and a multifaceted treatment approach is the most effective.
Sun exposure is the most common cause of hyperpigmentation. UV rays, sunlight, and heat can overexcite the skin’s melanin and cause it to concentrate in dark patches. Environmental exposure may cause pigment spots to increase by up to 20% and can impact skin’s youthfulness over time, causing collagen production to decline by 75%.
Hormones, pregnancy, and medication may contribute to conditions such as melasma, which appear on multiple areas of the face. Sometimes called a pregnancy mask, hormones trigger melanocytes to produce more pigment. When hormonal balance is achieved, and treatments are used to even out the skin tone, the melasma fades and becomes less visible.
Acne scars, inflammation, wounds, or injuries, such as insect bites or scratches, can leave behind dark marks that take time to fade. Don’t pick! Treat injured or inflamed skin with care to avoid dark patches that may take a long time to fade.
Genetics can play a role in pigment disorders. Having a darker skin phototype and living in a region with high sun exposure are risk factors for developing hyperpigmentation, according to the National Institute of Health in the United States. Treatments available in the past for hyperpigmentation were not suitable for darker skin tones and could lead to unwanted side effects, such as skin bleaching, skin darkening, and sun sensitivity.
It’s important to maintain a skincare regimen that addresses the possible causes of hyperpigmentation and treats the spots you may already have. Effective photoprotection is a must every day in order to avoid more damage. Apply under makeup and reapply during the day to protect against new spots. Keep the skin clean and well-moisturized with advanced, dermatologist-recommended products for your skin type.
Correct dark spots with Vichy LIFTACTIV B3 Dark Spots Serum
Correcting dark spots requires clinically-advanced technology to address this multi-faceted skin challenge. Vichy LIFTACTIV B3 Dark Spots Serum acts on different skin layers, preventing dark spot formation at the basal layer of the epidermis while removing visible dark spots on the skin surface.
Laboratory Director for Vichy Skincare, Frédérique Labatut, shares how effective B3 Liftactive Serum is at reducing hyperpigmentation, “After two months, you’ll get a decrease of -29% of dark spots, up to 71%.”
The lightweight, oil-free serum is supercharged with 13% dermatology-grade ingredients, such as B3 niacinamide, one of the most tested and effective actives for reducing the appearance of dark spots. Clinical studies have shown that niacinamide has a major impact on the appearance of facial melasma. Researchers found that in 100% of studies, niacinamide led to an “improvement of the spots with the treatment time, improving the appearance of the skin.”
The serum’s anti-inflammatory action prevents new spots from forming. Glycolic acid and peeling actives gently exfoliate spots to reveal a luminous, more even complexion, with the added benefit of a decrease in the depth of wrinkles and the signs of aging.
Vichy’s scientifically-advanced, evidence-based skincare is recommended by over 50,000 dermatologists. This powerful serum is carefully formulated to be hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin phototypes. Your pursuit of skin perfection and a solution to dark spots and hyperpigmentation can now be part of your daily routine.
Sources:
1. How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones. (n.d.). How to Fade Dark Spots in Darker Skin Tones. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/fade-dark-spots
2. Unmasking the causes and treatments of melasma - Harvard Health. (2018, October 1). Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/unmasking-the-causes-and-treatments-of-melasma
3. Basit, H., Godse, K. V., & Al Aboud, A. M. (2022, August 8).Melasma - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. Melasma - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459271/
4. Pedroso, A. G., Furtado, G. R., & Barbosa, K. . (2022). Niacinamide for the treatment of Melasma: An integrative review of randomized clinical trials. Research, Society and Development, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i11.33581