Frequently Asked Skin Care Questions

 

Question: How can I get rid of brown spots on my skin?

One of the biggest skin care problem that people search for information about is hyperpigmentation. Call them brown spots, age spots or liver spots, nobody likes them and everyone wants to know what gets rid of these spots.
Here are the answers:

Hyperpigmentation - How to get rid of those spots?

How to get rid of brown spots on the back of hands?

Question: What causes brown splotches on face?

Lighter splotches that usually appear on the face are melasma. Melasma is a little different from Lentigos (age or liver spots) because it is an uneven production of melanin in the skin rather than an accumulation of melanin which results in a lentigo. Melasma is usually a result of homonal changes as with pregnancy or menopause but sun exposure can also cause melasma.

Find out more about Melasma

Obagi Nu-derm Skin Care System will get rid of melasma on face.

Question: Can I apply hydroquinone to my entire face?

Yes, if you are fair to medium light skinned and it is not irritating your skin. For example, with the Obagi NuDerm system, you apply the Obagi Clear, which is 4% prescription strength hydroquinone, to the entire face each morning.
As always, darker skinned people should only use hydroquinone under the direction of a physician.

Question: Can you use retinoids for brown spots?

Retinoids are good for helping to lessen hyperpigmentation, but work best when used in a complete skin care system that incorporates an exfoliator and bleaching agent. The bleaching agent will help stop the over-production of melanin that is causing the spots. The retinoid and an exfoliator like alpha hydroxy acid will work to "lift" off the dead and darkened skin cells, so the spot will eventually fade. A good sunscreen is also needed to protect the skin from further melanin over production during and after treatment.

For more answers:

Hyperpigmentation - How to get rid of those spots?

Obagi Nu-derm Skin Care System will get rid of spots on face.

Question: Does Vitamin C help with melasma / brown spots?

Yes, vitamin C can help to lighten melasma. The key here is to use a quality vitamin C serum that is in a stable form and a high enough percentage to work. The other important factor is too apply the vitamin C consistantly every day. Using vitamin C alone, you probably won't see fast results, but when vitamin C is incorporated into a good skin care system, vitamin C helps to brighten skin and lighten melasma.

For more answers:

Obagi C System of Skin Care

Using Topical Vitamin C

At home treatment system to erase melasma or brown spots

 

 

Question: What does exfoliation do for my skin?

Exfoliation will:

• help reduce the look of fine lines
• smooth your skin's surface
• make your skin look fresh
• some research shows exfoliation promotes collagen building
• clean clogged pores
• improve skin's thickness - which is good
• help get rid of brown spots
• improve skin cell renewal
• clear off the dead skin layer and allow the active ingredients in skin care products reach the inner layers of your skin to do more good

More on exfoliation

Questions: What ways can I exfoliate my skin?

You can exfoliate you skin in a number of ways. You can use a chemical method which means applying an Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Beta Hydroxy Acid or Plant Enzyme to your skin. Other chemical methods include stronger acid peels done by a professional.

You can also exfoliate at home by using a microdermabrasion scrub. A scrub will be a creamy base containing exfoliating beads like jojoba that will, when rub on your skin, loosen dead skin cells and clear pores. There is also a professional microdermabrasion that is done with a machine in the doctors office.

More on exfoliation

Question: How often should I exfoliate my face?

Well that depends on how you are exfoliating. If you are using an AHA or BHA, depending on the strength, you can use it everyday if it is not too irritating. If it is irritating your skin, then try using it every other day and work to build up to using it every day. Getting your skin used to a new AHA or BHA can take a few weeks.

If you are using a microdermabrasion scrub, then follow the manufacturers recommendations for use. But as a rule of thumb, normal to oily skin can use a scrub twice a week and dry skin should scrub once a week. Sensitive skin should exfoliate with an plant enzyme exfoliator.

More on exfoliation

Question: If I don't exfoliate, will my skin go spotty?

No. Your skin will get brown spots (lentigos) from exposure to UVA / UVB sun rays and brown splotches (melasma) from hormonal changes. Exfoliating will help lessen brown spots that are forming. Using sunscreen every day will help prevent lentigos.

Hyperpigmentation - How to get rid of those spots?

Question: I have sensitive skin - How can I exfoliate?

The safest way to exfoliate sensitive skin is to use a plant enzyme exfoliant. Plant enzymes are different from AHAs or BHAs because they work by dissolving the top layer of dead skin cells. The main plant enzymes used in skin exfoliation are from the Papaya (papain enzyme), Pineapple (Bromelain enzyme) and Pumpkin. So look for products with these enzymes.

Enzyme exfoliators also should be used by persons of darker skin tones. Men and women with a lot of skin pigmentation can damage their skin with the harsher hydroxy acids or mechanical exfoliation.

Question: Can exfoliation damage the skin?

Yes, if you really over do it. Exfoliation does not mean scrubbing your skin so much it hurts. Exfoliation can be done gently and still be very effective. Also, if you are causing irritation while exfoliating, then you are doing to much, whether that is applying an AHA too often or scrubbing to hard with a microdermabrasion product.
The idea is to build up your skins thickness which exfoliation does. When you exfoliate, your skin reponds to the irritation by becoming stronger and thicker which is all good. Thicker skin will show less wrinkles.

The second part answer to this question is for people with darker skin. Darker skinned people can cause damage to their skin by exfoliating the wrong way or to harshly. Darker skin pigment can react to irritation by making light spots, so be careful and use a plant enzyme or light AHA to exfoliate darker pigmented skin.

More on exfoliation

 

 

Question: Can you use AHA and BHA together?

There is no need to use an AHA and BHA together because they do the same thing - loosen the keratin "glue" that holds dead skins cells together. Both AHA's and BHA will exfoliate your skin, so the question should more likely be which should I use? AHA's are best for normal and dry skin as they are water-soluble. BHA, which is salicylic acid, is best for oiler skin since it is oil soluble.

More on AHA's and BHA

 

Question: What are active ingredients in facial skin care products?

Active ingredients are the agents in a product that make it beneficial. In other words, a skin care product will start out as a base cream, serum or whatever is needed for the product, then the ingredients that will be doing the work to improve your skin are added. These are the "active" ingredients. The key is to find products with enough and the right active ingredients.

More on Active Ingredients

Question: In what order do I apply my skin care products?

To maximize the benefits of skin care products, they should be layered on in a certain order. Applying products in the wrong order will diminish their benefits. A heavy cream applied before a lighter serum will block the absorption of a lighter serum and not allow it to work on your skin.

So after cleansing your face, apply your skin care products in the following order:

• Toners, acne pads or light peel pads for exfoliating which are the most liquid and usually clear.
• Serums or gels which are thicker than liquids but not yet creamy.
• Lotions which are somewhat thicker than liquids and usually milky. May be moisturizers with or without sunscreen or exfoliating acid lotions.
• Creams which are thicker, heavier and won’t spill out of a jar.
• Ointments which are usually petrolatum-based solids like Vaseline.

More Skin Care Tips

Question: What are some commonly used emollients?

In moisturizers, emollients smooth and soften the skin by filling in the
cracks between the clusters of skin cells with tiny drops of oil. Emollients enhance skin
flexibility, softness, and smoothness. They also give moisturizers their lubricating quality.

See list of commonly used emollients

Question: What are some commonly used hummectants?

A hummectant is a non-oily ingredient that attracts moisture from the atmosphere, lessens evaporation, and helps hold water in the epidermis.

See list of commonly used hummectants

 

 

 

 

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