Preventing Hyperpigmentation

While living in paradise has its advantages, most of us struggle with the effects of the hot, sunny climate and the Florida lifestyle on our skin. A common issue facing most people is hyperpigmentation. This is because hyperpigmentation is most often caused by UV exposure.

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Hyperpigmentation is a usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin. UV stimulates the pigment cells (melanocytes) in our epidermis to start making melanin. Sadly, most of the hyperpigmentation you have now you probably actually earned 20 years ago. It takes an average of 10 years for sun damage to translate into brown spots and it’s just being encouraged and worsened by current UV exposure.

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There are other causes worth mentioning, including heat, hormones and injury or trauma to the skin known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). While these can and usually do have other contributing factors all types of hyperpigmentation will benefit from following the steps below to manage and improve the condition.

PROTECTION: It’s absolutely imperative to protect your skin from UV rays. When staying out of peak sun is not an option, wear hats and sun protective clothing and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects from UVA and UVB. Today there are a wide variety of formulations from clear to tinted lotions, powders, water resistant formulas, natural sun blocks and sprays. One of my favorite products is Colorescience Sunforgettable SPF 50, a brush on mineral powder that makes reapplication super easy. Remember sunscreens only last a couple of hours!

ACTIVE TOPICALS WITH NATURAL LIGHTENERS: Skin-brightening products use antioxidant vitamins and plant based extracts that not only improve hyperpigmentation but also deliver anti-aging benefits and boost skin function and health. Look for ingredients such as Vitamin C, licorice root, kojic acid, bearberry extract (alpha arbutin) and Niacinimide that work by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for the formation of skin darkening melanin and/or lightening skin. Nia 24 Sun Damage Repair for Décolletage and Hands contains Pro-Niacin (Vitamin B3) and a plant based brightening complex to visibly improve the appearance of sun damage on the chest, shoulders, hands and arms. As for Vitamin C, don’t miss Revision’s 30% Vitamin C lotion! It’s one of our most popular products.

VISIT AN AESTHETICIAN: In office treatments such as HydraFacial, Dermaplane and Microneedling are excellent for lightening, brightening and tightening your skin as well as improving the penetration of your products. Come in for a complementary cosmetic consultation to talk about the best options available for your skin or take advantage of our 95.00 SUMMER HydraFacial Special and enjoy an amazing treatment while we analyze and get to know your skin.

SEE A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL REGULARLY: Your using a high quality Vitamin C, skin brightening and hydrating ingredients, and enjoying regular skin treatments and your skin’s appearance has really improved but you’re still dealing with stubborn discoloration. High potency lighteners such as Hydroquinone can be prescribed for maximum benefit. Paradise Dermatology Rebritaylize Pads are compounded in the office in 2%, 4% and 6% formulations. Advanced treatment such as laser is non-invasive and over the course of several sessions gives excellent results! Annual skin checks are a good idea for everyone and if in doubt it’s always best to check it out with a medical professional.