First aid for pigment spots

Do you also have (more) pigment spots on the skin as the years go by? And do you mind the one in your face? You're not the only one! We very often get the question whether there is a remedy that helps to make pigment spots in the face disappear or make them less visible. In this blog answers to the questions: How do pigment spots arise? What are they? And can you do something about it?

What are pigment spots and how do they arise?

Pigment spots are discolorations of your skin that are caused by an overproduction of melanin in the skin. Usually because your skin has been exposed to the sun too much. Other causes include skin injuries, hormonal fluctuations, allergic reactions, illness, medical treatments, reaction to skin care products, inflammatory reactions from chemical peels or laser treatments, tissue damage from acne or eczema. Do you have dark skin? Then you have a higher chance of pigment spots after an infection.

Pigment spots from sun damage

Melanin (pigment) is a kind of internal sunburn of your skin. Visible sunlight and (invisible) UVA radiation ensure that existing melanin cells on the epidermis immediately after exposure acquire a more intensive color through a reaction with oxygen (oxidation). UVB radiation ensures that new melanin is produced from three days after exposure to the sun. As a result, your skin turns brown for a long time. Your skin also thickens. And thus protects itself against burning or other harmful effects of sun exposure - such as DNA damage. Visible sunlight also does this, but to a much lesser extent than UVB radiation.

Melanin is able to absorb no less than 99.9% of UVB radiation, so that it cannot cause any damage. No matter how small the percentage, the remaining 0.1% UVB radiation can still cause serious sunburn. Which damages your DNA cells.

The darker your skin tone, the higher the level of melanin in your skin. The more you are naturally protected against UV radiation.

If your skin is exposed to too much sun, DNA damage occurs. Both UVA and UVB radiation can cause DNA damage. Direct DNA damage, or indirect damage via the formation of free radicals. The melanin production process is disrupted and too much melanin is produced. That then spreads irregularly on your skin and gives pigment spots. This is also called hyperpigmentation.

The combination of sunlight and perfume can also cause pigment spots. Due to a reaction of certain perfume ingredients and UV light.

Pigment spots due to aging

The older you get, the more you are exposed to the sun. That is why most people from the age of 40 - 50 have a number of pigment spots. In addition, your supply of melanin cells decreases as you age. The cells that remain become larger and divide less well over the skin, which also causes pigment spots. That is why pigment spots are also called 'Age spots'.

How do you prevent (more) pigment spots?

Fortunately, you can take measures yourself to prevent the formation of pigment spots.

Protect your skin against UV radiation - also under the sunbed

Pigment spots caused by sun damage can largely be prevented by protecting your skin against UVA and UVB radiation. Preferably use a sun protection product with a natural filter such as zinc oxide. Which protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Some of the synthetic filters are harmful to your skin/body - as strange as it sounds. The higher the SPF content of a sun protection product, the more UVA radiation is absorbed or reflected. A product with SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVA radiation. A product with SPF 50 only 1% more - 98%.

Or use a product like LaVieSage SkinProtect , which builds UV protection from the inside out (just like our bodies used to do). In addition, this formula is packed with antioxidants and vitamins that counteract the formation of free radicals. To prevent DNA damage. Our experience is that existing pigment spots become slightly lighter. And in the summer when pigment spots normally get worse, they don't get worse.

Preferably use the SkinProtect in combination with LaVieSage SkinBalance that strengthens your skin barrier / makes your skin thicker, so that UV radiation can penetrate less well.

Wear a hat or cap to protect your face from direct sunlight.

NB. You also run the risk of UV damage under the sunbed. Most tanning beds give mainly UVA light.

Protect your skin from DNA damage

Our body naturally contains antioxidants that counteract the formation of too many free radicals. So that damage to the DNA can be prevented or at least reduced. As you age, the antioxidants in your body decrease. You can supplement this with food , nutricosmetics or care products with a high content of stable vitamin C available to the body.

By avoiding nutrients that promote free radical formation, you also help your body. Think of refined sugars or trans fats.

Do not use perfumes in the sun

Avoid skin care products with perfumed substances. Only use a perfume in places that are not exposed to sunlight. For example on your clothes or behind your ears. As indicated earlier in this blog, certain ingredients in perfumes can react with sunlight and cause pigment spots. There are a number of hypoallergenic fragrances that do not cause a reaction with sunlight. Ask for advice about this when purchasing a product. Products may also contain a small amount of plant extract that naturally smells, but does not cause a reaction. For example banana leaf extract.

Be kind to your skin

Do not scratch pimples to avoid inflammation or scarring. Use care products with high-quality ingredients that do not trigger allergic reactions or other skin damage. Less fine ingredients are, for example

• foaming agents such as SLS or cocomidapropyl betaine, which affect the natural protective layer of your skin or irritate your skin.
• products with synthetic preservatives, fragrances or dyes that trigger your skin, which can cause hypersensitivity or an allergic reaction.
• products with mineral oils such as paraffinum liquidum or petrolatum affect the natural protective function of the skin. And can clog your skin, which can cause inflammatory reactions.
• hard alcohol in care products (ethanol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol) can dry out your skin and affect the natural protective layer of your skin.

Pigment spots - camouflage

In the online make-up master class camouflaging & correcting, make-up artist Ralph Baaij shows you how to camouflage pigment spots and other imperfections.

Pigment spots - remove?

Pigment spots can of course be camouflaged. But if you find it irritating that you have them, you would prefer them to disappear or at least fade. A number of treatments or cosmetic ingredients can help you with this.

Laser treatments

Pigment spots can be removed in a number of cases with laser treatments. Only for lighter skin types. And not with a whole series of contraindications such as anemia, autoimmune disease or sun-damaged skin. Laser treatment is not without risks. If you are considering a laser treatment, find a reputable clinic and let yourself be well informed!

Peelings

You can also reduce or remove pigment spots through certain peels. However, chemical peels with, for example, fruit acids are quite aggressive for the skin - they remove a piece of your top skin layer, causing it to renew itself. A Chinese herbal peeling is gentler on the skin. This stimulates cell division, so that the skin is renewed faster from the inside. This can be done with or without a peeling effect. At INDISHA you can find the Green Peel of Dr Schrammek. We only do this on request.

Skin care from within

With LaVieSage's SkinClear you improve your cell metabolism (all biochemical processes in your cells), so that hyperpigmentation fades faster. With SkinClear you can first 'loosen' the hyperpigmentation. And then possibly with a (Chinese herbal) peeling to further stimulate the fading / removal.

Skin care from the outside

Vitamin C is a very powerful ingredient to tackle hyperpigmentation. The condition is that it is stable and bioavailable for your skin. Hynt's Vitamin C Ester - Brightning Serum has a patented formula with an active effect. 100% pure!

Glucosamine super , Glucosamine & Niacinamide ampoules from Dr Baumann contain highly concentrated active ingredients that reduce hyperpigmentation.

Solar radiation - other useful facts

The radiation from the sun that reaches the earth consists of 45% infrared radiation, 50% visible light and 5% UV radiation (UVA, UVB).

In Europe approximately 95% of the UV radiation is UVA radiation. Around the equator, the percentage of UVA radiation is somewhat lower. More UVB radiation was traditionally needed to properly protect the skin of people living around the equator against the sun.

UV radiation - good for your health

UVB radiation ensures vitamin D production. Sufficient vitamin D is essential for good health.

Sunlight ensures that our immune system is strengthened and that we are less likely to become depressed.

A for aging, B for burning

UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin (up to the dermis), where they can affect the process of collagen and elastin formation and thus cause skin aging.

UVB radiation is stronger, but penetrates less deeply into the skin (up to the epidermis).

UV radiation, 365 days a year

Even when the sun is less visible, we are exposed to UVA and UVB radiation. About 80 percent of solar radiation passes through clouds or fog. UVA radiation also penetrates glass. So you are also exposed to this radiation in a car or public transport.

What does an SPF say?

SPF indicates how much UVB radiation a sunscreen can reflect or absorb. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UV radiation, SPF 50 98%, SPF 15 94%. With an SPF 30 it takes 30 times as long before you burn compared to unprotected skin. With an SPF 50, 50 times as long.

In summary

Pigment spots are often caused by excessive sun exposure. This disrupts the process of pigment formation and causes pigment spots (hyperpigmentation). By properly protecting your skin from an early age against UVA and UVB radiation, you can prevent hyperpigmentation. This can be done through sun protection products. But also by paying attention to your diet, not using perfume on skin that comes into contact with the sun and avoiding cosmetics that cause skin irritation or other skin damage.

If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, there are a number of solutions to make it disappear or reduce it . Chinese herbal peels can help in a skin-friendly way. Lasers may be a solution for you. In the field of skin care, there are both products that you apply and that you take that make hyperpigmentation less visible. Think of the Vitamin C Ester from Hynt Beauty or ampoules of glucosamine super or niancinamide from Dr Baumann. And from within SkinClear from LaVieSage

Sources consulted : ncbi, pubmed, nl.qwe.wiki, wikipedia, idun.nl, mens-en-gezondheid, laviesage