When you spend too much time in the sun, you might notice that your skin darkens or even turns red. This process is the result of UV rays penetrating the top layer of skin into the epidermis where it triggers melanocytes to start producing a substance known as melanin – this is the brown pigment that causes your skin to look tan.
Tanning is a desirable effect for many people, particularly during the summer. Although, what you may not realize is that the body produces melanin to protect the skin from burning. The fact that your skin color is changing means that it is being damaged on a cellular level.
Hyperpigmentation is a common problem that affects over 60% of female consumers and it can occur in irregular patches or large areas anywhere on the body.
In this article, we’ll explore the subject of hyperpigmentation including what it is and what causes it to develop. We’ll also go into greater depth about how to treat hyperpigmentation at home and with professional help from a Yon-Ka Paris professional.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a harmless condition that causes patches or large areas of skin to become darker in color than the surrounding skin. Though it may not be a harmful condition, hyperpigmentation can affect your self-confidence and cause you to be concerned about the health of your skin. This skin condition affects people of all skin types and it can affect skin anywhere on the body. There are three most common types of hyperpigmentation:- Sun Spots – Frequent and prolonged sun exposure can, over time, lead to the development of sun spots or darker areas of skin in places exposed to the sun. This process is also known as photoaging and it usually manifests in the form of uneven skin tone on the face beginning in the thirties or forties. These spots usually appear larger than freckles and more like clusters of spots that are darker than the surrounding complexion.
- Melasma – This skin condition is defined by the American Academy of Dermatology as gray-brown patches of skin on the cheeks, upper lips, and center of the forehead caused by hormonal changes. Commonly seen during pregnancy, melasma can also affect women taking birth control pills and can be worsened by prolonged sun exposure.
- Post-Inflammatory – Most commonly seen as a result of severe acne, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs when dark spots appear on the skin after an injury has healed. This can happen with blemishes, insect bites, scratches, and even certain skin conditions.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperpigmentation
The most common cause of hyperpigmentation is excess production of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color and it is produced by melanocytes, skin cells found in the epidermis layer of the skin. Certain medications, hormonal changes, and various health conditions can trigger these melanocytes to overproduce melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation. In order to diagnose your hyperpigmentation, your doctor will want a medical history and will perform a physical exam. You’ll need to provide a history of medications you’ve taken and any symptoms you’ve noticed. Once the condition has been diagnosed, there are several options for treatment. Some of the most common treatments for hyperpigmentation include:- Avoiding excessive sun exposure – wearing SPF 30 or higher and covering exposed skin with clothing (consider SPF-infused clothing as well).
- Not picking at scabs, blemishes, and other superficial skin injuries during the healing process.
- Topical creams, whether prescription or over the counter, containing skin-lightening agents like azelaic acid, corticosteroids, kojic acid, retinoids, vitamin C, or hydroquinone. Some of these ingredients, like hydroquinone, are available in the U.S., but are banned and/or have restricted usage in the European Union and in Asia.
- Cosmetic procedures such as laser therapy, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
Treating Hyperpigmentation with Yon-Ka Paris Products
Finding the right skincare products to treat your hyperpigmentation is essential to obtaining results. Yon-Ka Paris skincare products take a holistic approach to treating pigment concerns, using potential botanical ingredients and are hydroquinone-free. Yon-Ka Paris is a professional French skincare company offering luxurious, plant cell active-based skincare regimens. Every product is developed with scientifically proven efficacy to deliver a therapeutic experience back by real-world results. Yon-Ka Paris offers skincare products for a wide variety of skin conditions. Their best products for treating hyperpigmentation at home include:- Essential White Solution Clarte – A potent exfoliating fluid, this exclusive formula features a triple-acid synergy of dermatological acids with prickly pear extract to boost the skin’s ability to dissolve lifeless skin cells and brighten complexion. This controls the pigmentation process, correcting tone irregularities with the added bonus of a smoothing and renewing effect that optimizes the brightening actions. Apply twice daily after cleansing and toning to the face, neck, and decolette and massage in. Follow with the E.W. Correcteur Cible applied directly to dark spots and the E.W. Crème Lumiere all over. Finish with an SPF 25 or SPF 50 for daytime use.
- Essential White Correcteur Cible – This ultra-concentrated solution features whitening and anti-discoloration ingredients in a high-precision treatment that can be applied directly to dark spots. It is made with the Yon-Ka exclusive C-White complex, combining advanced research with Yon-Ka professional ingredients to interrupt the progression of spot development, reducing discoloration over time for bright, even skin. Use in the morning and evening after cleansing and toning and applying E.W. Solution Clarte. Apply directly to visible skin discolorations and massage in. Follow with E.W. Crème Lumiere. Finish with SPF 25 or 50 for day.
- Essential White Crème Lumiere – A brightening moisturizer, this daily treatment features a patented active ingredient – time-defying vitamin C. It deeply controls the pigmentation process to correct existing dark spots and prevent new pigment spots from developing. It also contains anti-aging and hydrating ingredients to smooth and renew skin, so it glows with new-found brightness and remains in perfect balance.
