29 Июл, 2019
Caused by age, sun damage, hormones and genetics, pigmentation is one of the most common skin complaints. Peel off the summer. No matter what beauty companies may claim, long-term pigmentation is only properly dealt with in the doctor’s clinic with laser, IPL or prescription creams. That being said, the right home regimen can certainly improve matters – especially on more superficial pigmentation – and is key after treatment.
Brighten up and even out. Vitamin C is the ultimate non-prescription ingredient to brighten and even out skin tone. Also, look for serums and creams that use ingredients like kojic acid, licorice and arbutin, as these inhibit tyrosinase [the enzyme that triggers the production of melanin] in the skin and so help stop pigmentation re-appearing.
Reach for the retinol. Remember the whole new skin cycle takes between 12 to 14 weeks, so you need to stick to your pigmentation plan for at least eight weeks, using the light peels regularly and the vitamin C each morning. Then, after a fortnight, add in a retinol at night. Depending on which retinol you choose, you may need to acclimatize; applying it twice a week and building it up as the skin gets used to it.
Just remember that retinol makes skin extra-sensitive to sunlight: so if you’re getting some winter sun, stop using the peels and retinol a week before you go. Know the triggers. Daily SPF is non-negotiable to minimize brown spots – wear SPF50, and I also advises to wear sunglasses to prevent sun spots, as using lasers around the eyes is tricky.
