Hyperpigmentation – brown spots, age spots, liver spots,

Melasma, Lentigos

Brown spots form because of an irregular distribution of melanin in the skin's epidermis. Melanin is the pigment that gives each person their coloring.

 

There are two concerns to address when trying to lessen brown spots:

1. Stopping the formation of new melanin at the spot area
2. Removing the existing pigmentation causing the spot

Melasma is the patchy or generalized dark pigmentation of the skin that usually occurs on a woman's face.

Melasma is an uneven production of melanin in the epidermis. Melasma produces irregular, pale brown blotches that usually appear on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and upper chest. On darker skin, the blotches show up lighter than the surrounding skin.

Melasma is common during pregnancy, menopause and in woman taking oral contraceptives.

Sun exposure will make the melasma worse.

 

Lentigos (aka - age or liver spots) are an uneven accumulation of melanin in the epidermis. Lentigos show up as flat, light brown spots that appear on the face, throat, chest, back of hands, upper back and shoulders. Lentigos typically show up on skin, which is repeatedly exposed to sunlight. The ultraviolet sunlight causes overstimulation of the melanocyte cells in the skin. The melannin cells clump together and show up as age spots. Lentigos happen more often on light-skinned people and can start to be noticeable as early as the age of 30.

Melasma and Lentigos are basically harmless,
and both types are erased the same way.

Stop the production of melanin at the spot and exfoliate the darker skin cells to erase the browness.

The hard part is to be consistant with using the products.

The treatment options for erasing brown spots are-

Over the counter products include:

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check out
Dr. Murad's Resurgence Skin Care


• Bleaching (depigmenting) products which include-
  • Hydroquinone (over the counter and Rx strengths available)
  • Kojic Acid
  • Azelaic Acid
  • Arbutin
  • Ellagic Acid
• Retinoids (Retinoic Acid)
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Other ingredients being studied for skin lightening effects:

• Bearberry Extract
• Licorice Extract
• Mulberry Extract

Treatments available through a professional:

• Laser Treatments (less damaging to skin)
• Chemical Face Peels (irritating but faster than over the counter products)
• Freezing the area with liquid nitrogen (may cause white spots)

Bleaching products work by inhibiting the production of the enzyme tyrosinase, which in turn reduces melanin. Over time, the brown spots will fade. Bleaching products will not lighten skin beyond its’ own natural color, so do not worry about going to light.

Retinoids, Vitamin C, and Alpha Hydroxy Acids can slowly fade brown spots on their own. However, they are best used in conjunction with bleaching products since they will boost the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

A doctor or aesthetician would perform the bottom 3 clinical options.

So if you do not wish to seek professional help,

here is what you need to do to fade your brown spots:

1) choose a bleaching product based on your skin's sensitivity and coloring.

• fair to light/medium skin can use hydroquinone
• medium/ darker skin should use kojic acid, arbutin, azeliac acid, ellegic acid
• sensitive skin should use hydroquinone with caution - test skin first

2) If you wish, you may speed up results by adding an AHA or BHA to your regime. This will help exfoliate the pigmented skin cells fading the spot quicker.

3) Adding Vitamin C and a retinoid product will also hasten your results,

but all these products used together may cause skin irritation.

Consider starting with a bleaching product for a week, then start to add in the other products week by week. This will allow your skin to adjust to the new products.

4) Apply products in this order:

• Vitamin C serum (apply morning and night)
• Bleaching Product (apply morning and night - make sure to cover the area completely)
• AHA or BHA (apply morning only)
• Retinoid (apply night only)
• Sunscreen (apply morning and as needed)

If you are not using all these products, just leave out what you are not using and apply the rest in the order shown.

Or look for products with combinations of bleachers and AHA's.

Always use adequate sun protection
when using any of these ingredients.

Your skin will be extra sensitive to the sun. In addition, if you are using a hydroquinone product,

it will be rendered useless if you do not use sunscreen.

 

Here are some products we like for getting rid of brown spots:

Click on a product name to see more information.

 

Obagi Sun Fader - 4% hydroquinone with sunscreen for day use

DCL AHA Lightening Gel - 2% hydroquinone & gylcolic acid for exfoliation

Great Skin 8% skin Lightening Gel - Contains new micronized ingredients: kojic acid and kojic dipalmitate. Also contains 2% hydroquinone, licorice extract and L-ascorbic acid.

Rhonda Allison Naturale -good for people who can not use hydroquinone -contains kojic acid, licorice root, glycolic & Azelaic Acid in an emulsified base.

TYK Law of Beauty White Glow - using advanced pigmentation inhibitors; Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Mullberry & Bearberry Extracts.

DermaNew DermaBlanc Skin Brightening System -a complete microdermabrasion and botanical skin brighten kit.

Dr. Brandt Laser Lightening System - a non-hydroquinone system that will fade brown spots.

Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel - contains 2% hydroquinone, AHA, licorice and allatonin.

DDF Fade Gel - contains 2% hydroquinone and Azelaic Acid.

Peter Thomas Roth Potent Botanical Skin Brightening Gel Complex - hydroquinone free - Contains the skin smoothing capabilities of AHA, the clarifying and skin brightening properties of kojic and azelaic acids, vitamin C.

PCA SKIN pHaze 13 Pigment Gel - Formulated with kojic acid and AHAs to effectively target various types of hyperpigmentation.  Ideal for hydroquinone sensitive or allergic complexions.

PCA SKIN pHaze 13 Pigment Gel - contains 2% hydroquinone, Glycol, Lactic Acid, Azelaic Acid and Kojic Acid

Neova Kojic Complex Gel - a simple combination of kojic acid and AHA's to lighten and exfoliate.

Obagi Nu-Derm System- A complete skin care system to help reverse the signs of sun aging including brown spots, fine lines and skin texture. This system uses the Obagi 4% hydroquinone along with Retin-A and an exfoliation acid.

 

 

Outside factors that increase the formation of skin brown spots are:

• Sun exposure

• Certain medications & chemicals

• Hormones – pregnancy, menopause, birth control pills

• Underlying health problems – nervous disorders

• Acne

 

 

 

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