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If years of basking in the sun’s rays have left you a bit freckled and spotted, there are ways to get your complexion glowing again.
When a scientist from a leading beauty brand teamed up with two behavioral
biologists to conduct a study that measured people’s perception age,
health, and attractiveness as it related to skin tone, the results
were astounding. Skin texture and wrinkles aside, the researchers
discovered that bright, luminous skin, with an even skin tone free
of age spots and freckles, is what many people consider youthful,
attractive, and healthy.
“People want a refreshed look, a glow,” says Dr. Peter Vignjevic,
a dermatologist and assistant professor at the DeGroote School of
Medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON.”They want their skin
to look brighter, be all the same color or tone, and have no discoloration
or redness.” Exposure to sun is the main cause of most skin discoloration.
Those pesky ultra-violet (UV) rays damage the sells of the skin, and
the damage shows up as freckles, broken blood vessels, and age spots
(also known as sun or liver spots), Vignjevic explains.
UV rays speed up the skin’s production of melanin (the dark pigment
that gives color to your skin and hair); age spots happen when more
melanin is produced than normal and in higher concentrations.
“The damaged skin cells overproduce melanin in a localized area, and
then recruit neighboring cells to do the same. The results are the
formation of age spot, “says Mary Begovic Johnson, principal scientist
for Proctor & Gamble.
Fortunately, there are numerous treatments available at your dermatologist,
by prescription, and over-the-counter that can reduce the appearance
of age spots and brighten the overall tone of your skin. But, according
to Johnson, none of these treatments has lasting effects: “If the
skin is repeatedly exposed to sunlight, the spots can return.” She
recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen on daily basis to prolong
the treatment benefits and protect the skin from additional sun damage.
Lactic acid peels are in-office exfoliating treatments that even
skin tone pigment. ”They give skin a glow, a freshness and brightness,”
Vignjevic says, adding that repeated treatments offer even more benefit.
Lactic acid peels can also help alleviate acne and blackheads. The
cost of a treatment can vary, but typically ranges between $75 and
$125, and is done about once a month. “It’s a gentle treatment,” Vignjevic
assures, adding that there’s no redness or immediately after the procedure.
Intense pulse light (IPL) therapy is a process known as photo-rejuvenation.
“It’s a broad spectrum of light-not a laser-containing many wavelengths
that can remove different colors [from your skin, specifically red
and brown],” Vignjevic explains.
Dr. Robert Miller, a dermatologist and associate professor of medicine
at Dalhousie University, in Halifax, explains how IPL works: “As the
light passes through the skin, the pigment that causes freckles and
age-related brown spots absorbs the light energy and converts it into
heat. The heat then helps destroy the blood vessels and pigmentation.”
Discolored areas of the skin become darker at first, but then they
eventually peel off. “The entire process is skin healing itself”,
Miller says.
IPL works especially well at reducing freckles. And while it can also
decrease red tones in the skin, a few added treatments may be required
before that can happen. ”Reds are more stubborn,” so you may need
four or five more treatments.” Typically, a patient will see the dermatologist
for an IPL treatment once a month with the cost of a treatment ranging
anywhere from $300 to $500, depending on what’s being treated.
Another treatment that can have an effect on the skin’s tone and overall
appearance is the ProFractional laser. The ProFractional laser makes
microscopic holes deep in the skin’s layers to promote rapid wound
healing in the healthy skin surrounding the heat-created holes. “It
stimulates new collagen growth, improves tone, texture, and some pigmentation,
and freshens the overall skin on the face and neck,” Miller says.
Although the main target of the ProFractional laser is improved skin
texture, you’ll still notice a boost in skin its tone and brightness.
A ProFractional laser treatment can cost from $500 to $1,000. Patients
may experience some redness and swelling after the procedure, and
may require only two or three treatments.
Fortunately, treatment at the dermatologist’s office isn’t always required for a bright complexion. Creams are available by prescription for use at home. “Topical prescription vitamin A is one of the most effective anti-agers,” VIgnjevic says, “and it helps a bit with age spots.” For the best outcomes, Vignjevic often pairs vitamin A (which should be used only at night because it makes the skin more sensitive to the sun) with products that include vitamin C. “Vitamin C can help improve collagen, cell turnover, and abnormal pigmentation,” he says, “and it refreshes the skin’s appearance while reducing pigment production by the skin.” Another popular treatment cream is hydroquinone , also known as a bleaching cream. Hydroquinone helps reduce brown spots and pigmentation by inhibiting the enzyme involved in melanin production, Vignjevic explains. If you’re looking for something right off the shelves, the following products target dark spots and contribute to improving the skin’s overall tone.
More Tips & Information about Getting A Brighter Complexion
Here's how to take your complexion from eh to wow!
You eat right, avoid the sun, get a good night’s sleep and work out, but you still can’t get the bright, youthful skin tone you want. Dr. Brooke Jackson of Chicago’s Skin Wellness Center explains that there are many factors that might keep you visage from looking less than stellar. For example, too much stress can zap your skin’s resiliency, as well as skimping on a high-nutrient diet. It could also be as simple as genetics.
Find the Right Makeup
Dr. Jackson recommends lightweight cover-ups that diminish imperfections but
still give you a natural look, like mineral makeups that can “cover a
multitude of sins but are gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types.”
Look for brands that contain sun protection, as well.
Supplement Your Diet
Dr. Jackson suggests adding an oral supplement of CoQ10, a strong antioxidant
found in many over the counter skin creams and lotions, to your diet, anywhere
from 100 to 300 micrograms per day. Taking it orally rather than topically means
your entire body will reap the benefits, she explains.
Moisturize
A good moisturizer is important for all women who want a brighter complexion.
Besides getting one that has sunblock, women should look for moisturizers that
contain light reflecting pigments. The added sheen makes your skin glow and
can minimize a sallow complexion or dark circles. Also talk to a dermatologist
about using a retinoid cream, which increases collagen production, making skin
look bright and refreshed.
Tips for Brighter Skin Tone
Beyond wrinkles, fine lines and dark patches that appear as we age, you may yearn for brighter skin as well. Skin that ages may also develop a leathery appearance or sag and lose its sheen, looking tired and dull. Skin that lacks luster may be caused by a number of things. Firstly, cell proteins may cross link causing them to become rigid. The result is a loss in skin transparency and the ability to reflect light. In addition, a build up of dead, dry skin cells can also cause skin to look dull and tired. While there isn't a quick fix, here's how to brighten things up:
1.| Exfoliate with a gentle exfoliant that includes an alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid, lactic acid) or beta hydroxy acid. Our go-to AHA product for clear, bright skin is retinol-based Green Cream Or, check out M2 HP Skin Refinish Serum, both will help to remove dead, dry skin cells leaving you with brighter skin.
2.| Add in Vitamin C. At concentrations above 5% Vitamin C has been shown to lighten and brighten skin, resulting in a more youthful complexion. In addition, Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps to fight free radical damage associated with skin aging. Our latest acquisition and fave new product in this line is apothekari Serum with Vitamin C/E and Ferrulic Acid.
fabulously40.comTips on How to Make Dark Skin Lighter Naturally
The skin of human being ranges from black to colorless and in between there are various hues but the irony is that everyone wants to flaunt a lighter skin color. The production of Melanin in our body decides our color. Excess production of Melanin leads to darkening of our skin. In order to attain a fair complexion, we should try to inhibit the production of Melanin.
Tips to make darker skin lighter include:
1. | lifestyle plays a major role. Your
skin needs to be pampered for attaining an ageless and soft
appearance. You should protect your covering from the harsh
rays of sun by applying sunscreen lotion. It is advisable
to cleanse and moisturize your face daily for preventing
hyper pigmentation and other blemishes. You should also
wear sunglasses for stopping the appearance of dark circles.
2 . | Drinking plenty of water for keeping
your skin hydrated is extremely important. You should drink
at least 10-12 glasses of water daily. You should completely
avoid smoking and junk food and sleep for at least 8 hours
daily. * You can easily prepare facial mask at your home
by mixing sandalwood powder and rosewater. You should apply
this paste for 15 minutes for attaining a well-toned skin.
You should put cucumber slices in your eyes during the process,
which will not only lighten your dark skin but also rejuvenate
your entire body. *
3 . | Nature based ingredients such as
kojic acid, lemon juice extract, bearberry extract, mulberry
extract, lactic acid and glycolic acid can be used for inhibiting
the production of Melanin in your body. Meladerm is the
only pigment reducing cream, which contains all these ingredients.
This cream contains no Hydroquinone.
A Brighter Future for Skin
Thanks in part to awareness that UV light leads to advanced aging and skin cancer, tanning is falling out of favor as a sign of health. Consumers worldwide are more and more interested in obtaining lighter, brighter skin. The main reason why may stem from market research studies that indicate an uneven skin tone is perceived as aging while a more even skin coloration is judged to be healthier and younger-looking.
As populations mature globally, pigmentation issues become more prevalent, and the demand for skin brightening products has surged. Unfortunately, those looking to brighten skin often run into two different and disappointing scenarios: the products don’t deliver results as promised or even worse, skin health suffers at the hand of brightening ingredients. Treating hyperpigmentation without regard for skin health can lead to sensitivity, irritation, photodamage, exposure to potentially dangerous agents and premature aging.
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