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Help for your Age Spots, Melasma, Hyperpigmentation

Home > Articles > Help for your Age Spots, Melasma, Hyperpigmentation

Help for your Age Spots, Melasma, Hyperpigmentation
February 2010

Most Age Spots and general Hyperpigmentation are caused by sun damage. Age Spots actually have nothing to do with how old you are, they have to do with how much time you have spent in the sun. After years of sun exposure, the ultraviolet (UV) rays damage the melanocytes, the skin cells that produce pigment or melanin. Once damage occurs, the melanocytes stop producing the normal amount of pigment and create extra pigment. The extra pigment results in random dark spots, or uneven patches scattered on the damaged skin.

Some forms of Melasma and Hyperpigmentation are aggravated by hormonal fluctuations and medications by making the skin more susceptible to light damage. Melanin production increases when stimulated by light exposure in conjunction with rising hormone levels. Just a small amount of sun exposure is the main reason melasma returns after fading.

How do I treat Age Spots, Melasma, Hyperpigmentation?

Exfoliate.     Use Hydroquinone.     Wear Sunscreen.

Exfoliation will speed up the rate of cellular renewal allowing years of sun damage and uneven pigmentation to fade away as your complexion is gently resurfaced allowing for smoother, more even-toned skin to emerge.*

Hydroquinone penetrates to the damaged melanocyte where your pigment is being produced unevenly (which causes the darker spotting). The melanocyte will begin to slow down the production of melanin and distribute the melanin more evenly to even out your skin tone. *

*Glymed Plus Derma Pigment Bleaching Fluid does not bleach the skin, rather it gently exfoliates with Phytic Acid so that the Hydroquinone can penetrate to the melanocyte. Great for backs of hands too!

Sunscreen must be worn even when most of the day will be spent indoors because even driving or sitting next to a window can expose unprotected skin to enough sunlight to trigger melasma. Wear your sunscreen even in the winter and even when it is raining or your pigmentation will keep resurfacing. For Dry Skin use Obagi C Rx C-Sunguard SPF 30 and Oily Skin use Glymed Plus Photo Age Environmental Protection Gel SPF 30+.