Brown spots darken a complexion that you wanted to be luminous , radiant and harmonious . These areas of hyperpigmentation , mainly located on your face , your neckline , your hands , your shoulders and your arms , are an obstacle to the goal of skin uniformity that you had set for yourself. They betray your age and your strong taste for sunbathing . Understanding them better to better get rid of them is what we offer you in this article.
I. What are brown spots?
Dark spots are small areas of hyperpigmented skin that range from light to dark brown . They can be oval , round or flat and of variable size. They are mainly located on parts of the body exposed to the sun : face , back of the hands , shoulders , etc.
Also called age spots (although not directly related to age), sun spots or lentigo , these pigmentary defects should be differentiated from moles . In fact, these develop all over the body and they sometimes form seborrheic keratoses , namely skin lesions that resemble a dark wart. Also, it should not be confused with melanoma , which also develops on the face and neck. Only a dermatologist can, through a biopsy, ensure that your pigment spots are benign and safe.
II. The origin of brown spots
Your skin has unsightly pigment imperfections . To understand why, we have to go back to the pigment responsible for skin color : melanin . From the Greek melanos which means black, this molecule is secreted in the epidermis by melanocytes . It tints our skin and its concentration defines its color . Even more, the production of melanin is a defense mechanism of the skin . When the sun 's UV rays touch our skin , this triggers an attack signal which pushes melanocytes to secrete more melanin , the latter having the power to absorb UV rays. The result is a gradual tan that you adore: a tan . Much more than aesthetic, the latter turns out to be the manifestation of a natural protection mechanism .
After years of prolonged exposure to the sun , generally in people over 40 , the pigment cells become disrupted and over-react: they secrete excess melanin which will concentrate on certain areas of the skin to further pigment it. .
Of course, younger people who are intensely exposed to solar or artificial UV rays may experience this phenomenon prematurely.
Beware of sunburn too! They are the major factor in the appearance of brown spots , particularly on the shoulders .
There is also inflammatory hyperpigmentation (IPH). After injury or inflammation , the skin becomes discolored and then darkens after the wound heals. This type of hyperpigmentation is particularly common among people with acne-prone skin .
Pollution and hormonal disorders ( mask of pregnancy ) can also disrupt the normal synthesis of melanin and create pigmentary problems.
Obviously, some people are more likely than others to develop dark spots : it's fair-skinned people who win the prize for those most at risk. This does not mean, however, that darker skin tones are not spared.
III. How to get rid of brown spots
Age spots are not dangerous , therefore, treatment is not necessary, except for aesthetic reasons, in order to make them less visible.
PREVENTION :
Reborn Paris advocates a preventive approach to guarantee prolonged beauty. So, you can already take action to protect yourself from these nasty stains .
Reasonable exposure to the sun seems to be the first step towards long-term uniformity of complexion . It is best to avoid the unlucky time slot for your skin, the famous 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Look for shade to achieve the glowing luminosity of blemish-free skin . In unprotected areas, sunscreen is required every 2 hours and after each swim.
Your beauty routine can also include anti-spot cream and/or serum during the day as well as peeling lotions to promote cell renewal and therefore the elimination of pigmented cells .
Sun protection from the inside with nutricosmetics can also prevent the appearance of spots . Discover for example our Absolu Solar .
COSMETICS
By definition, cosmetics will act from the outside on the superficial layers of the epidermis . Products with an anti-dark spot indication will therefore help to fade hyperpigmentation but will not make it disappear.
These cosmetics contain active ingredients:
- exfoliants : these are not, for example, fruit acids: AHA, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, a-hydroxy acid. They will push the skin 's desquamation process to help it regenerate and restore radiance .
- antioxidants (vitamin C): they will protect the skin against oxidative stress caused by UV rays and which can be the cause of a disruption in melanin synthesis.
- lighteners/depigmentants (arbutin, L-niacid, kojic acid, glabridin, retinoic acid): they will reduce the intensity of pigmentation by reducing the production of melanin.
Cosmetics are essential in the treatment of stains and must be used at all stages: in prevention , in treatment , in addition to aesthetic treatment. Their advantage is that they are available over the counter, without a prescription.
Dermatologists can also offer you a whole range of medical treatments.
TOPICAL MEDICATIONS
- Hydroquinone:
This molecule was discovered by the German scientist Oettel who noticed that the coat of black cats lightened when a few drops of hydroquinone were added to their water bowl. Since 1961, it has been used in depigmenting treatments , only administered under medical supervision. It is particularly indicated in cases of melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It is a powerful active ingredient with side effects: allergies, irritation, itching and dry skin often accompany its application. Its effectiveness alone is not spectacular.
- The Kligman trio:
This combination of 3 components with a unique synergy developed by Dr. Albert Kligman has a depigmentation power targeted on the different stages of the melanin cycle.
1. Hydroquinone : It lightens skin by reducing melanin production.
2. Hydrocortisone : Its anti-inflammatory action limits the skin's immune response and increases its tolerance threshold to treatments.
3. Retinoic acid : It accelerates skin cell renewal to eliminate hyperpigmented cells more quickly.
Again, the power of the active ingredients can stress the skin and lead to irritation and redness .
PULSED LIGHT
Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL) is a flash lamp that releases a beam of photons that targets melanocytes and melanin at the intracellular level. It causes inflammation which induces skin renewal and eliminates melanin to treat age spots while preserving surrounding tissues. It boosts the radiance of the complexion and improves skin texture. Unfortunately, it is only possible on light skin , the risk of burns being too high on dark skin . Burns in case of overdose and rare scars may result from this light treatment.
Redness and crusting may appear afterwards. It is best to avoid post-treatment sun exposure to avoid inflammatory hyperpigmentation .
LASER
The laser specifically targets the melanosome , the reservoir of melanin in skin cells . Through a photo-acoustic and mechanical effect, with little heat emission, it fragments the melanin pigment to blur stains . This is the most effective technique due to its precise targeting. However, it remains expensive and not very widespread. 8 to 10 days after treatment, the spots are a little darker and small scabs form and will disappear on average within a week. There is an exceptional risk in overdose of burns , darker brown spots or white spots and scarring.
PEELING
Peeling consists of applying an acidic chemical substance to the skin in order to induce a desquamation process and result in the controlled elimination of the superficial layers of the epidermis. It stimulates cell renewal, to regenerate the skin and for a new skin effect. It helps improve certain pathological or aesthetic disorders such as spots with a general improvement in the uniformity of the complexion.
The molecules used are often fruit acids: trichloroacetic TACA, glycolic acid or Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids. They reduce the adhesion of skin cells to the surface of the skin which causes flaking . Irritation follows for 1 or 2 days before the expected effect is obtained.
Overdose increases the risk of burns , pigmentary disorders and scarring .
The scar inflammation phase lasts 1 month, a period during which sun exposure is strongly discouraged due to a risk of pigment rebound (HPI), particularly on darker skin.
CRYOTHERAPY
Cryotherapy is based on the same technique used to burn warts. Liquid nitrogen at -160°C is applied to hyperpigmented areas and causes destruction of cells by thermal burn and subsequent exfoliation . This technique, although widespread, remains reserved for superficial and isolated tasks . It is effective and inexpensive . However, the burning sensation felt makes it somewhat painful. Sensitive skin refrain! The disadvantage remains a high risk of deep or superficial burns and scarring . Post-treatment, scabs form for 1 to 3 weeks on the treated areas. Irreversible white spots may appear in place of brown spots. This solution is also not recommended on dark skin, as is exposure to the sun.
ABSOLUTE+ WHITE FOOD SUPPLEMENT
What if we told you that there is a natural, risk-free, brand-free solution , suitable for all skin types and which does not restrict your exposure to the sun? Absolu+ White chewable tablets contain a white pomegranate extract with clinically proven anti-stain effects : Pomewhite(R) . By regulating the activity of tyrosinase by -36.9% - the enzyme which transforms tyrosine into melanin - this plant extract grown in the Mediterranean region manages to fade pigmentation spots sustainably and effectively while protecting the skin from new hyperpigmentations .
Are your hyperpigmentation spots on your complexion? Has your fanaticism for the sun got the better of the uniformity of your complexion? Don't panic, there are preventive and curative remedies: cosmetics, topical medications, pulsed light, lasers, cryotherapy, peeling, food supplements. Please note that the last option does not present any disadvantages unlike the others: effective, natural, risk-free, suitable for all skin types and non-restrictive, our anti-pigment spot chewable tablets will delight your skin.