Fight Age-Based Hyperpigmentation with Skin Actives Scientific

The color of our skin is partly due to the pigment called melanin. Other factors are the bluish-white color of connective tissue, the abundance of blood vessels in the dermis and the color of blood flowing in them.

The pigments inside your skin have an actual physiological role: protection from UV light. Melanin absorbs UV across a wide spectrum, with the highest absorption in the shorter wavelengths that are most associated with DNA damage from UV. UV light reaches human skin and leads to inflammation, DNA mutations, and more. Reactive oxygen species (ROS*) are induced in the skin by solar UVA and UVB radiation and have long been suspected of contributing to the deleterious effects of skin damage by sunlight. Check out our ROS* Terminator here. Melanin is a good response to UV, and it is inducible by it, the response we call “tanning”.

Skin lightening is now a billion dollar industry. In fact, many people risk their health for the promise of lighter skin; there are plenty of examples of dangerous chemicals and finished products used for skin lightening. On the other hand, skin brightening is also important to people who develop uneven pigmentation, like melasma, which pushes them to try risky remedies. For example, chemical peels and laser may cause further hyperpigmentation in people with darker skin. This is why we feel it is important that we have healthy and safe ways to get rid of hyperpigmentation.

Main Causes of Uneven Skin Pigmentation

Aging: With skin aging comes dark spots, sometimes called age, liver or sun spots, but also areas with loss of pigmentation. This is because mutations (caused by UV) in some areas lead to excess melanin production and accumulation, but in other areas melanocytes may have been lost or damaged.

Melasma Genetics, visible light, UV, hormonal changes, and laser treatment all affect melasma. The hormonal influence, via pregnancy or by birth control pills, may be weaker than previously thought.

What to do? Products for Hyperpigmentation

Dermatologists will usually indicate the triad of hydroquinone, retinoids, and corticosteroids. We at Skin Actives like retinoids too, but our Vitamin A Cream is non-irritating. By keeping up with scientific research, we can introduce promising new skin lightening ingredients that are also safe; like soy protease inhibitor, salicin, GSH, carotenoids, baicalein, and more. Our Skin Brightening Cream may also be a great all-around solution for addressing hyperpigmentation.

Because melanin synthesis increases as a response to the stress of several kinds, like UV and oxidants, it is a good idea to avoid the sun and use sunblock. In the case of melasma, it seems that visible light (not only UV) may have some influence, so it is best to use a physical sunscreen (one containing zinc oxide). You should also know that skin lighteners will not destroy existing melanin, so you will have to wait until your skin renews itself to be able to see the lighter skin. At Skin Actives we’ve developed a wide range of skin lightening products designed to help you in your efforts against these types of hyperpigmentation.

What not to do?

Skin lighteners, skin whiteners, and skin brighteners are different names given to a type of product that decreases skin pigmentation. There are several mechanisms by which a substance can help to lighten the skin color, but most of them work by suppressing melanin synthesis. Some chemicals are very effective but can be irritating or are known to have undesirable side effects. For example, strong chemicals may end up bleaching the skin permanently and irregularly or increasing pigmentation in spots.

What we want from our ingredients is specificity, and effect restricted to the area of application. One big problem with the treatment of skin hyperpigmentation is that we humans are always looking for fast, easy, miraculous solutions. You will not get this with skin lighteners of uncertain origin.

As always, beautiful skin begins with healthy skin. At Skin Actives, we always encourage taking the healthy path rather than looking to cut corners with promises that may be harmful to your well-being long term.