Skin Care Info

Why does pigmentation occur?

Uneven pigmentation affects most people, regardless of ethnic background or skin color. Skin may either appear lighter or darker than normal; there may be blotchy, uneven areas, patches of brown to gray discoloration or freckling. Skin pigmentation disorders occur because the body produces either too much or too little melanin. Melanin is the pigment produced by melanocyte cells. It is triggered by an enzyme called tyrosinase, which creates the color of skin, eyes, and hair shades.

Melanin has two major forms that combine to create varying skin tones. Eumelanin produces a range of brown skin and hair color, while pheomelanin imparts a yellow to reddish hue.

Melanin provides some amount of sun protection for the skin by absorbing ultraviolet light. Darker skin colors are less susceptible to sunburn and the overall effects of sun damage.

Aside from sun exposure and hormones, hyperpigmentation can be caused by skin damage, such as remnants of blemishes, wounds or rashes. This is especially true for those with darker skin tones.

The most typical cause of darkened areas of skin, brown spots or areas of discoloration is unprotected sun exposure. Once incorrectly referred to as liver spots, these pigment problems are not connected with the liver.

Benefits of Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a product used to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays, to avoid damage and/or darkening of the skin. Some sunscreens can be used to lighten the skin, too. Higher SPFs contain greater quantities of the UVA-protecting ingredients titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or avobenzone.

DR’s Secret Sunscreen SPF 25 helps prevent premature skin ageing and defend complexion against unwanted pigmentation by providing skin protection against the damaging effects of sun UVA/UVB rays. This moisturising sunscreen also hydrates the skin to enhance cell renewal.

Skin lightening Ingredients – How it works

Hydroquinone is a strong inhibitor of melanin production, meaning that it prevents skin from making the substance responsible for skin color. Hydroquinone does not bleach the skin, and can only disrupt the synthesis and production of melanin hyperpigmentation. It has been banned in some countries because of fears of a cancer risk. Hence, the new DR’s Secret Skinlight T3 does not contain Hydroquinone.

DR’s Secret Skinlight T3 uses Kojic acid in its formulation. Kojic acid is a by-product in the fermentation process of malting rice for use in the manufacturing of sake, the Japanese rice wine. Research shows kojic acid to be effective for inhibiting melanin production.

Another ingredient used is Arbutin. Arbutin is derived from the leaves of bearberry, cranberry, mulberry or blueberry shrubs, and also is present in most types of pears. It can have melanin-inhibiting properties.

DR’s Secret Skinrecon T4 completes the skin treatment program. It is a synergistic blend of multi-functional active ingredients and anti-oxidants offering exceptional skin calming properties while renewing, restoring and nourishing your skin.

Together, DR’s Secret Skinlight T3 and Skinrecon T4 work perfectly to lighten and renew your skin.

DR’s Secret has gained its popularity in tropical countries for its ability to lighten and prevent melanin production in the skin.

Directions for Normal Skin

Corrective Regime Day 1, T2, 5 Optional use of Skinrecon T4 (after Toner T2). Night 1, T2, T3 + T4 Mix 2 to 3 drops of Skinlight T3 to an equal amount of Skinrecon T4.
Maintenance Regime Day 1, T2, 5 Optional use of Optional use of Skinrecon T4 (after Toner T2). Skinrecon T4 (after Toner T2). Night 1, T2, T3 + T4
(twice weekly)OR

1, T2, T4
(all other days)

Testimonals

“15 years ago, a virus attack left me blinded. When I recovered my eyesight a year later, I was horrified to find the ugly pigmentation on my face. It took only 1 month of using DR’s Secret to see an improvement. And within 9 months, my pigmentation ceased almost totally! I’m resolved to stick to DR’s Secret for life!”

- Edna See, 50 Pigmentation.

DR’s Secret Treatment Series Program for Skin Lightening

(Includes Cleanser, Toner, Skinlight, Skinrecon, Sunscreen)

Proceed to our online shop to make a purchase

What is Pigmentation?

Pigmentation is where the Melanocytes become overstimulated. Melanocytes are the skin cells which give our skin colour. The darker areas are Melasma and the lighter areas are called decolorations. Although these make up the skins pigmentation, they have to be treated differently. The lighter areas on our skin (decolarations) mean that our skin is not producing enough Melanocytes. The darker areas of our skin (Melasma) indicates the opposite, that our skin is producing too much Melanocytes.

Hyper-pigmentation can be the result of many factors, external or internal. The internal causes can be certain illnesses such as Edisons disease and some hepatic (liver) problems. Hormonal changes such as menopause and pregnancy, along with certain vitamin and mineral deficits are another cause of hyper-pigmentation.External factors such as exposure to sun and the use of some products that irritate the skin or cause skin photosensitivity can aggravate the problem. Cosmetics or fragrances containing alcohol compounded with exposure of your skin to the sun-increases your risk. Alcohol + sun = irritation and risk of developing hyper-pigmentation, so you should always use a suitable sun-block.

 How do I treat Hyper-pigmentation?

• Hydroxy acids-Alpha hydroxy acids facilitate the shedding of dead skin cells and may even stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. They are found naturally as follows:

1. Lactic Acid (Milk)
2. Glycolic acid (sugar cane).
3. Malic acid (found in apples and pears).
4. Citric acid (oranges and lemons).
5. Tartaric acids (grapes).

• Vitamin C- or ascorbic acid, is a very potent antioxidant. Most studies on the effects of antioxidants on the skin have used this vitamin. In laboratory studies, large amounts of vitamin C reduced skin swelling and protected immune factors from sunlight. Vitamin C may even promote collagen production.
•  Intense pulsed light – Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) pulses uses wavelengths of heated light which are directly aimed at the pigmented spots. The advantages of this technology include the fact that the pigment is able to be targeted precisely without damaging surrounding tissue. Skin pigmentation in the face, neck, chest and hands can be treated safely and effectively.

  The light energy is gently delivered to the skin in pulses, through a delicate, computer-controlled handpiece. After your IPL treatment, the skin pigmentation or sun spots will gradually fade and slowly disappear, however in some instances the pigment may appear darker as it heals itself whilst in other cases it can flake up in a bid to eliminate the pigment in an external scab form.

  The added benefit of the Palomar IPL Technology is that is also works to activate cells in the skin called fibroblasts which stimulate collagen remodeling and new collagen production. Effectively, this helps to rejuvenate the skin, improving its texture, visibly minimising pores and reducing superficial fine lines and wrinkles to reveal a more youthfully hydrated appearance.

• Microdermabrasion-the resurfacing effect of microdermabrasion can achieve the following:

1. Removal of abnormal tissue and rough skin
2. Stimulation of new skin growth
3. Stimulation of collagen and elastin production

Jennifer Stepanik is the Founder of Republic of Skin www.republicofskin.com and is constantly updating her readers with information on healthy living, lifestyle, mind balance and GREAT SKIN on her blogs page www.blog.republicofskin.com . Her extensive training in the fields of natural therapies such as herbs, nutrition, holistic counselling, healing modalities ranging from swedish massage, remedial massage, reflexology, shiatsu and reiki combined with her aesthetics training and paramedical aesthetic training has given her a broader understanding of how to fuse the worlds of beauty, healthy living, lifestyle and mind balance into an online platform of information available to the world, as well as operating a boutique on the South Coastal town of Thirroul.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/pigmentation-triggers-and-treatments-1780869.html