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Aging Skin Care: How to Treat Hyperpigmentation and Melasma

January 30th, 2009

Age spots are commonly associated condition to aging skin. There are two reasons that men and women can develop age spots: too much melanin due to sun exposure or fluctuations in hormone levels. This discoloration is known as hyperpigmentation (due to cumulative sun exposure) and melasma (due to hormonal imbalance or sun exposure).

HYPERPIGMENTATION

An overabundance of melanin relative to the surrounding skin is known as hyperpigmentation. It can be caused by either an unusually high concentration of pigment producing cells, or melanocytes, or hyperactive melanocytes in a specific site. Certainly, the collective effects of sun bathing contribute in large part to the development of hyperpigmentation since it does lead to the darkening of the melanocytes.

MELASMA

Melasma is thought to be the result of stimulation of melanocytes or pigment-producing cells by the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone to produce more melanin pigments when the skin is exposed to sun. Those at higher risk for melasma are women with light brown skin who live in regions with intense sunlight.

Melasma usually appears during pregnancy and with the use of oral contraceptive pills. For this reason, the hormonal theory appears to be substantiated as the cause of excess pigmentation. Also, melasma is more prevalent in women than in men.

Other factors that have been linked to melasma are mild ovarian or thyroid dysfunction, certain cosmetics and photosensitizing medications.

Melasma is also related to genetic predisposition. More than thirty percent of melasma patients have a family history of it. Reports have shown that identical twins will tend to both develop melasma, while other siblings under comparable conditions do not.

Sun exposure is also a determining factor in the development of melasma. Ultraviolet radiation can cause peroxidation of lipids in cellular membranes, leading to generation of free radicals, which can lead to the production of excess melanin. Avoid sunscreens that only contain UVB protection because longer wavelengths stimulate the production of melanin.

TREATING HYPERPIGMENTATION AND MELASMA

Aging skin care should take into consideration both hyperpigmentation and melasma treatment. In both case, excess pigmentation is a gradual process which makes their resolution an equally gradual process.

The main goal of hyperpigmentation products is to reduce the amount of pigmentation through a bleaching process. There are natural products that can be effective for hyperpigmentation, but generally the most used substance for skin bleaching is hydroquinone.

Unfortunately, if hydroquinone is used for extended periods of time it can lead to severe side effects. This has meant that products containing hydroquinone are only allowed a limited concentration. Furthermore, hydroquinone causes permanent de pigmentation and, therefore, increase photosensitivity to UV radiation.

Even though hyperpigmentation creams derived from natural origins may take longer to produce similar effects, they have become popular for the treatment of hyperpigmentation and melasma. These types of creams contain arbutin, licorice extract, Vitamin C and kokic acid.

Bioskinrejuvenation is one of our natural skin products that is perfect for treating melasma and hyperpigmentation. It is made of natural ingredients that accelerate skin renewal and help to recover the normal physiology of the skin. Consult our website to find more information about how to clear melasma and other hyperpigmentation problems.

- Judy Aulin

Posted in Beauty |

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Aging Skin Care: How to Treat Hyperpigmentation and Melasma