We all want beautiful, smooth, flawless skin. But sadly, sometimes nature seems to be standing in our way.
Take melasma as one example. The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance reports that 50-70% of pregnant women will develop melasma. The incidence is even higher in Hispanic women, while only 10% of men are affected.
The good news is that there are steps we can all take to prevent skin discoloration. We've put together seven skin care tips for you to follow to help you achieve the smooth, even skin tone we all want.
What Causes Skin Discoloration?
Skin discoloration refers to any unwanted changes in the appearance of our skin tone. There are two main types:
Hypopigmentation - the skin becomes lighter in color
Hyperpigmentation - the skin becomes darker in color
It's natural for the appearance of our skin to change over time. Some common conditions include sunspots, scars, melasma, and rosacea.
How to Prevent Skin Discoloration
Some skin conditions are genetic or are part of the aging process. However, there are still several steps that we can take to keep our skin in the best possible condition.
1. Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a great way to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. Look for one that provides broad-spectrum protection.
There is more than one type of UV light. UVB rays cause skin cancer and sunburn. Most sunscreens focus on blocking these harmful rays. But broad-spectrum sunscreens also block UVA rays, which also damage the skin.
All sunscreens carry an SPF rating. A rating higher than 30 offers the best protection. If you work outdoors all day, consider wearing an SPF 60 sunscreen or higher.
It's best to top up your sunscreen every two hours for maximum protection.
2. Wear Protective Clothing
OK, we admit this isn't going to work for protecting your face. But wearing certain types of clothing can protect the skin on your body from discoloration.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends wearing:
Dark or bright colors that absorb UV rays
Dense fabrics, such as denim, canvas, and wool
Unbleached cotton, shiny polyesters, or satiny silks
Loose fitting clothing
They also advise covering up as much as possible when you are out in the sun for maximum protection from harmful UV rays.
3. Don't Pick Your Skin
Skin issues, such as rashes, scabs, spots, or breaks in the skin, can be hard to ignore. It's important to resist the urge to scratch or pick at your skin, though, because this can cause discoloration.
Scratching them runs the risk of introducing bacteria. This can lead to infections and inflammation. Pigmentation can develop in these areas, causing long-lasting dark spots.
This is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It is more common in people with darker skin. Avoiding picking the skin will support the body's healing processes and reduce the risk of permanent scarring.
4. Exfoliate
Regular exfoliation is an important part of a good skin care routine. However, be careful to avoid over-exfoliating. Over-exfoliation and UV exposure can actually cause, rather than prevent, skin discoloration.
Including gentle exfoliation as part of your daily skin care routine will help to break down pigmented cells. They will be resorbed into the body and allow your skin to have a more even tone. Look for an exfoliant with vitamin C, which can promote skin lightening.
Some facial scrubs include microbeads and exfoliating acids. Both ingredients can play a part in breaking down pigmented cells.
5. Retinol Treatment
Retinol is a chemical that comes from vitamin A. It's a common ingredient in over-the-counter skin treatments due to its anti-aging properties. It also has a role to play in correcting skin discoloration.
Retinol works by increasing skin cell production. It also exfoliates and promotes the production of collagen. You can use it to treat dark spots.
It may take several weeks for retinol to start lightening dark spots. It also comes with a warning. Creams with high levels of retinol may cause inflammation, which can lead to dark spots, especially in people with darker skin tones.
This does not mean that people with darker skin should not use retinol. They just need to be careful about selecting the right product.
6. Vitamin C
We may think of vitamin C as being great for our immune systems, but it also has skin-brightening properties. Look out for skin care products that include vitamin C to harness its power to even out skin tone.
7. Treat with a ME LINE Peel
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for skin discoloration. Every person's skin is different, and the causes of skin discoloration are many and varied. That's why a ME LINE skin treatment is so effective.
First, you will have an assessment to find out the cause of your skin discoloration. Then an appropriate ME LINE peel will be selected. Your skin will be prepared, and then an even layer of ME LINE peel will be applied and left in place for 30 minutes.
Skin care instructions will be provided to get the most benefit from the treatment. A second treatment 30 days later can build on the results achieved with the initial treatment, evening out the skin tone.
Say Goodbye to Skin Discoloration
Skin discoloration can be demoralizing. However, following the tips above can help you to keep your skin in the best possible condition. A few simple tweaks to your skin care routine may help you to achieve the even tone you're looking for.
If skin discoloration persists, why not schedule a ME LINE peel at Laser Spot in Brampton? We offer a free, 30-minute consultation. We'll advise you on the best course of treatment for your particular skin conditions and schedule a follow-up treatment.
Click here to schedule your free consultation today!
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