Deep skintones produce high levels of melanin (a type of pigment) and are shared by people of African, Asian, Native American or Latin descent. The science: Your skin produces melanin, the brown pigment that gives skin its color, to protect itself from the sun. When melanocytes, the cells that manufacture this pigment, become overactive, they pump out too much melanin and dark spots form. There are three main causes of overactive melanocytes: hormonal fluctuations, irritation and sun exposure. Tips for Dark Skin: • Wear SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen every day of the year, rain or shine. • Use a moisturizer with antioxidants like green tea, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and reduce irritation. • No picking your skin ever! Besides dark spots, some deeper skintones are prone to keloids, which are tumor-like growths that grow after cuts or scrapes. • Look for products that contain proven brighteners like soy and licorice. • Treat dark spots with hydroquinone cream. You can get two percent over the counter; prescription formulas contain up to three to four percent. Use a cotton swab to apply the product only to the spot you want to lighten. Going outside the spot can result in a reverse halo effect, which is a white ring around the dark spot.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 00:56:18 +0000
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