DARK SPOTS + DISCOLORATIONS

Dark spot production is a process whereby melanin is created and transferred to surrounding skin cells via tiny, fingerlike projections called dendrites. Skin “remembers” exactly how and where dark spots form. Six different enzymes in your skin create a dark spot. Halting these six enzymes will stop dark spot formation.

Don’t assume anything. Always visit a board certified dermatologist to rule out melanoma and other skin cancers.

KNOW THE ABCDEs FOR DETECTING MELANOMA

• A is for asymmetry: the growth is different on one side from the other.
• B is for border: irregular borders are a warning sign.
• C is for color:  darker lesions or lesions with more than one color – get checked.
• D is for diameter: Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the eraser on your pencil tip (¼ inch or 6mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.
• E is for evolving: if it’s benign, it will look the same over time.  If it appears to be changing – get checked.

POST-INFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION

Did you develop a dark spot after a pimple healed? Did you develop a dark spot after scratching your skin or having a rash? If you answered yes, you most likely have Post-Inflammatory Hyper Pigmentation (PIH). The best method for treating PIH dark spots is to reduce what caused them in the first place: acne and acne flare-ups!

The gold standard for treatment of acne is benzoyl peroxide. Used daily, it will destroy the acne bacteria (P. acnes). P. acnes interact with excess oil and debris trapped inside clogged pores and form pimples. Every single one of us has P. acnes bacteria inside our skin, regardless of whether or not we suffer from acne. If you have acne, you must destroy the P. acnes bacteria daily. If you apply benzoyl peroxide inconsistently, the P. acnes bacteria will return. There is evidence that Tea Tree Oil may be as effective as benzoyl peroxide is for killing off P. acnes bacteria. Keep in mind that Tea Tree Oil must also be applied daily.

If you have PIH directly related to acne flare-ups, make sure to exfoliate your skin regularly in order to keep your pores unclogged. The longer you have acne breakouts, the more entrenched your dark spots will become—and the more difficult they will be to get rid of.

MELASMA + DARK PATCHES

Do you have brownish or greyish-brown patches on your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, your forehead, chin or upper lip? If you answered yes, you most likely have melasma. The leading cause of melasma: sunlight. Melasma may also occur during pregnancy and will usually subside on its own, several months after you deliver. Taking birth control pills or having hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? They also cause melasma. If your melasma is from the pill, it will usually subside several months after you stop taking them. Melasma may also occur when you have a family history for it and/or come from an ethnic background.

• Avoid sun exposure. PERIOD.
• Apply a powerful antioxidant serum underneath your high SPF sunscreen EVERY MORNING.
• At night, apply skin brighteners, followed by a moisturizer.

Melasma can be very difficult to control. Be patient. You will see improvements by strictly avoiding ANY exposure to the sun. There are studies of people who suffer with melasma, who report a dramatic rise in their dark patches during summer months, and a dramatic decrease during winter months.  Less UV ray exposure in the winter!

AGE SPOTS | LIVER SPOTS + SOLAR LENTIGINES

Age spots, also called liver spots and solar lentigines, appear as flat, tan, brown or black spots, varying in size. They may appear on your face, hands, shoulders and/or arms, the areas most exposed to the sun. If you are fair skinned, over 40 and have a history of sun worshipping or tanning bed usage, your dark spots may be age-related.

• Avoid the sun!
• Apply sunscreens with a minimum SPF of 30, daily. Sun-induced free radicals ignite the dark spot machinery inside your skin.
• Use a product containing hydroquinone. It is proven to be the most effective dark spot lightener and is the gold standard in dermatology. Hydroquinone 2% is available without a prescription.
• Visit your dermatologist. He or she may prescribe hydroquinone 4% solution and tretinoin (Retin-A), or a different prescription topical.
• Practice patience and consistency. Remember, it took many years for your skin to form age spots. Don’t expect miracles overnight.

Dark spot production is a process whereby melanin is created and transferred to surrounding skin cells via tiny, fingerlike projections called dendrites. Skin “remembers” exactly how and where dark spots form. Six different enzymes in your skin create a dark spot. Halting these six enzymes will stop dark spot formation.

Don’t assume anything. Always visit a board certified dermatologist to rule out melanoma and other skin cancers.

KNOW THE ABCDEs FOR DETECTING MELANOMA

• A is for asymmetry: the growth is different on one side from the other.
• B is for border: irregular borders are a warning sign.
• C is for color:  darker lesions or lesions with more than one color – get checked.
• D is for diameter: Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the eraser on your pencil tip (¼ inch or 6mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.
• E is for evolving: if it’s benign, it will look the same over time.  If it appears to be changing – get checked.

POST-INFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION

Did you develop a dark spot after a pimple healed? Did you develop a dark spot after scratching your skin or having a rash? If you answered yes, you most likely have Post-Inflammatory Hyper Pigmentation (PIH). The best method for treating PIH dark spots is to reduce what caused them in the first place: acne and acne flare-ups!

The gold standard for treatment of acne is benzoyl peroxide. Used daily, it will destroy the acne bacteria (P. acnes). P. acnes interact with excess oil and debris trapped inside clogged pores and form pimples. Every single one of us has P. acnes bacteria inside our skin, regardless of whether or not we suffer from acne. If you have acne, you must destroy the P. acnes bacteria daily. If you apply benzoyl peroxide inconsistently, the P. acnes bacteria will return. There is evidence that Tea Tree Oil may be as effective as benzoyl peroxide is for killing off P. acnes bacteria. Keep in mind that Tea Tree Oil must also be applied daily.

If you have PIH directly related to acne flare-ups, make sure to exfoliate your skin regularly in order to keep your pores unclogged. The longer you have acne breakouts, the more entrenched your dark spots will become—and the more difficult they will be to get rid of.

MELASMA + DARK PATCHES

Do you have brownish or greyish-brown patches on your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, your forehead, chin or upper lip? If you answered yes, you most likely have melasma. The leading cause of melasma: sunlight. Melasma may also occur during pregnancy and will usually subside on its own, several months after you deliver. Taking birth control pills or having hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? They also cause melasma. If your melasma is from the pill, it will usually subside several months after you stop taking them. Melasma may also occur when you have a family history for it and/or come from an ethnic background.

• Avoid sun exposure. PERIOD.
• Apply a powerful antioxidant serum underneath your high SPF sunscreen EVERY MORNING.
• At night, apply skin brighteners, followed by a moisturizer.

Melasma can be very difficult to control. Be patient. You will see improvements by strictly avoiding ANY exposure to the sun. There are studies of people who suffer with melasma, who report a dramatic rise in their dark patches during summer months, and a dramatic decrease during winter months.  Less UV ray exposure in the winter!

AGE SPOTS | LIVER SPOTS + SOLAR LENTIGINES

Age spots, also called liver spots and solar lentigines, appear as flat, tan, brown or black spots, varying in size. They may appear on your face, hands, shoulders and/or arms, the areas most exposed to the sun. If you are fair skinned, over 40 and have a history of sun worshipping or tanning bed usage, your dark spots may be age-related.

• Avoid the sun!
• Apply sunscreens with a minimum SPF of 30, daily. Sun-induced free radicals ignite the dark spot machinery inside your skin.
• Use a product containing hydroquinone. It is proven to be the most effective dark spot lightener and is the gold standard in dermatology. Hydroquinone 2% is available without a prescription.
• Visit your dermatologist. He or she may prescribe hydroquinone 4% solution and tretinoin (Retin-A), or a different prescription topical.
• Practice patience and consistency. Remember, it took many years for your skin to form age spots. Don’t expect miracles overnight.