Skincare Plans for:

• Acne
• Wrinkles
• Pigmentation
• Rosacea

Skin care plan for pigment problems

Ninety percent of the cases of skin hyperpigmentation can be attributed to unprotected sun exposure; only 10% is due to the use of birth control, antibiotics and other medications that make the skin photosensitive. Most people accumulate 80% of the sun damage to their skin before they reach their teenage years. Isn’t that interesting? But don’t get discouraged, even if you already have some brown marks on your skin, don’t let it drive you crazy. It is never too late to start taking proper care of your skin and bathe it not with the sun but with sunblock, antioxidants and other good stuff. So, if you would like the secret to battling pigmentation, allow my years of experience to enlighten you. You may begin now by simply reading this article.

1. Do you apply the proper amount of sunblock to your skin? Do you reapply it? Do you use sunblock with these ingredients: zinc, titanium or avobenzone that provides adequate protection from UVA rays?

You just need to take the proper precautions and wear sunscreen. Are you aware of the fact that 80% of any sunblock gets depleted in 1 hour, that FDA measured SPF number with an application of 2 mg per square cm, which is approximately 4 times more than what we normally apply to our skin. The SPF number on the sunscreen only refers to the length of time that you can stay in the sun without getting burned. It does not give you any idea of how many UVA, the most damaging ultraviolet rays, that you’re going to be exposed to.

In the USA, there are only 4 major active ingredients that will give you proper protection from UVA rays, they are: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, octinoxate, and avobenzone. In Europe, the major UVA-protecting sunblocks are Mexoryl SX and Tinosorb. Beyond that, it is extremely beneficial if the sunblock you choose is also loaded with antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients. An abundant amount of scientific research is proving how antioxidants not only boost the efficacy of sunscreen, but also play a role in mitigating sun damage by reducing free radicals and skin inflammation that sun exposure generates.

2. Do you exfoliate your skin?

Science has discovered that dead skin cells accumulate in aging skin and especially in sun damaged skin. Instead of sloughing off as they once did in our earlier years, they begin to build up and alter the appearance of the skin. Cell turnover slows down immensely after the age of 35- the process increases to 48-84 days instead of 3 weeks as it is used to be, building up a pile of approximately 80 layers of dead skin cells. To increase the rate of skin cell turnover, get rid of the extra pigment more effectively, and allow the anti-pigment products to penetrate deeper, regular exfoliation is mandatory.

I highly recommend microdermabrasion procedures along with AHA products or peels to help to restore the skin and reverse some of the damage incurred from the aging process. These procedures will not only even out your skin tone, but they will also produce a significant improvement in the texture of the skin.

3. Do you use AHA products?

One significant consequence of sun damage is that the outer layer of the skin becomes thickened, discolored, rough and uneven. The best way to help skin shed abnormally built-up layers of dead, unhealthy skin is to use AHA products. Such exfoliation will not only help to break down melanin deposits (pigment deposits), but it will also produce a significant improvement in the texture of the skin. Look for products that contain 5-8-10% AHA.

If you are battling wrinkles, pigment and blemishes, BHA is the better choice. Look for 2% BHA containing products.

4. Do you use Hydroquinone-based, skin-lightening products?

These products are a mandatory for cases of sun-induced or hormone-induced discoloration. Look for a cream, lotion or gel that contains 1% or 2% Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is also available in 4% by prescription (TriLuma for example contains 4% Hydroquinone with tretinoin and a corticosteroid). You may also want to consider skin-lightening products that contain Glycolic acid. A few alternative products that have shown skin lightening abilities are the following: Kojic acid, Arbutin, Licorice extract, vitamin C products.

5. Do you use vitamin C products?

One of the most powerful antioxidants ever tested (through independent clinical tests) and one that I highly recommend using is the Super Serum from IS Clinical. This product is designed to smooth skin texture, diminish hyperpigmentation, protect against UV damage, and provide superior antioxidant protection. This extraordinary formulation combines clinically proven Vitamin C (stabilized L-Ascorbic Acid, a powerful antioxidant), Pentapeptide Amino Acids (aids in reducing scar tissue and stretch marks), Centella Asiatica (phenomenal healing and potent antioxidant ingredient), Vitamin B5 (essential for increasing cellular integrity), and Kojic Acid (controls acne and uneven pigmentation), resulting in one of the most technologically advanced skincare products ever produced.

6. Do you use topical retinoids?

Retin-A, Retinol, Renova, Avita, and Tazorac are still the gold standards among topical prescription products for improving the appearance of aging and sun-damaged (wrinkled and discolored) skin. They have the ability to return abnormal skin cell production back to some level of normalcy. They also improve the skin’s collagen production, which makes a decrease in the depth and appearance of wrinkles.

Available in-office treatment for pigment problems:

• Oxygen Detoxifying Treatment
• Microdermabrasion
• AHA peel
• Jessner peel
• Ultrasonic treatments with AHA and Hydroquinone products
• European facial
• LED treatment (red and near infrared)

If all described above fails, you might try more aggressive treatments, such as the following:

• TCA peel
• Laser resurfacing
• IPL treatments
• Photodynamic (5-ALA) treatment