For skin prone to sunspots, hyperpigmentation and melasma, the summer months are the most risky periods in terms of hyperpigmentation.
The sun, increasing ambient temperature and spending more time outdoors facilitate the increase in sunspots.
A few suggestions for those who started spot treatments in the winter months and want to maintain the progress they have made, or for those who have not yet started pigmentation treatment but want to prevent the increase of spots in the summer months.
GOLDEN RULES FOR SUMMER SKIN CARE ROUTINE
- Avoid the use of hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a “tyrosinase inhibitor” that works by suppressing the enzyme that suppresses the production of the pigment “melanin” that causes hyperpigmentation. It is very risky to use hydroquinone, one of the active ingredients we frequently use in spot treatments, in summer. The use of hydroquinone carries the risk of darkening your pigmentation even more and this risk is much higher in summer. You can use tyrosinase inhibitors such as alpha arbutin, kojic acid and azelaic acid in summer.
- In summer, reduce acids such as AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) in your daily routine, avoid chemical peels, and turn to enzymatic peels.
- Hyperpigmented skin actually shows signs of aging and sun damage. It needs vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants to rebuild and repair the skin barrier. You can add vitamins and antioxidants such as Resveratrol, Ferulic acid, Vitamin C, Niacinamide to your skin routine. You may also benefit from mesotherapy with hyaluronic acid and vitamins.
- Protect your skin barrier and keep your skin moisturized. Dry skin is more prone to sun damage!
- Wear hats and protective clothing with UV protection.
- Melasma may also be affected by increased core body temperature during physical activities. For this reason, it will be useful to prevent heat increase with occasional compresses with a cool damp towel during exercise.
- If possible, choose sunscreens with mineral filters and tinted ingredients such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxide
- Blue light: Recently, high-energy blue light reflected from surfaces such as phones and computer screens has been blamed for signs of aging and dark spot development. For this reason, it may be useful to use sunscreens until bedtime.
- Q-Switch ND YAG lasers can support the treatment in terms of tone balancing and pigment suppression during the summer months.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
Alpha Arbutin: Extracted from bearberry leaves, this herb has strong anti-tyrosinase properties.
Kojic Acid: This natural acid is very popular among those who want to brighten and lighten pigmented areas on the skin. It is extracted from Japanese mushrooms or as a by-product during rice wine production, pretty cool ☺
Azeleic Acid: In addition to its anti-inflammatory effect, it also reduces pigment formation by suppressing tyrosinase enzyme and supports melasma treatments. It can also be used in rosacea and acne.
Resveratrol: Well known for its antioxidant properties, resveratrol is derived from grapes. Recent studies have shown that in addition to its antioxidant effects, it also reduces the production of blemishes. It is an important anti-aging active ingredient for those struggling with melasma.
Ferulic acid: It is an antioxidant molecule that has been shown to prevent UV damage and reduce melanin production. Formulations combined with vitamins C and E can be used in spot treatments.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that prevents collagen loss and photoaging while reducing blemish formation. It should be stored in airtight and light-resistant containers, otherwise the formulations may deteriorate quickly and no benefit can be seen. Problems such as stinging, burning and redness may occur on sensitive skin.
Niacinamide: It has been shown to help prevent stain formation by inhibiting the transport of melanin produced in melanocytes to keratinocyte cells. Although its effects alone are not very strong, it increases the effectiveness of other active ingredients, improves the skin barrier and can be easily tolerated.
