pigmentation is not nice

Pigmentation. Spots on your face, neck, hands.... Ugg! A topic we get asked about the most and I can understand why, as an "ex-patient.

Wrinkles and redness are not nearly as bad and better camouflaged. Pigmented skin distracts from one's natural beauty more than anything else and becomes light gray with makeup; although we have tips for that too (read the tips at the bottom of this article).

The various factors that cause pigmentation

Fortunately, there really is something that can be done about it. But for that, understanding exactly what it is is helpful. So ladies ... let's get a little technical! With pigmentation, you have to deal with two factors:

• Your conditional skin color. It's what you were born with.
• Your facultative skin color. Which is influenced by all other factors, such as hormones, inflammation and UV rays that send signals to your pituitary gland to produce melanocytes.

These, with the help of the enzyme tyrosinase, are converted into melanin, in different colors, which travels through the various skin layers to the outer layer of your skin.

Easy and difficult to treat pigment

Different causes give pigmentation symptoms, which also call for different treatment. In a list from easiest to most difficult to treat we then see:

• UV damage
• Post inflammatory pigmentation
• Hormonal pigmentation or melasma, this is deep in the dermis
• Hyperpigmentation (where melanin production is increased)

Remedies for pigmentation

Fight it two-fold, by breaking up the pigmentation and pigmentation process, and by prevention: your sun protection. There are many remedies that help contain pigmentation. Look for licorice root, yeast extract, rice extract, hawthorn, niaciamide and glucosamine, for example.

Better yet, are agents that actively combat the process, such as:

• Bearberry - its extract is said to have all the brightening benefits of hydroquinone, but without the drawbacks.
• The alga Palmaria Palmata, which acts on every step of the process, even on the signal that transmits the message to produce melanin.
• Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate in stable form - this form of vitamin C "eats" the free radicals responsible for irregular production of melanocytes, reduces oxidation and therefore the dark color of melanin and blocks the auxiliary enzyme tyrosinase.

Safe products for pigmentation

Important when treating this persistent problem is to choose safe products. No peels with chlorine compounds such as TCAs, no kojac acid or hydroquinone and no vitamin A preparations with a concentration higher than 0.3%, which can stimulate the inflammatory reaction within the skin, making the skin more UV sensitive in the long run. Or can leave nasty bleached-out spots that make the skin look even more blotchy.

Further important to remember: even if you stopped ALL melanin production in your skin, it would still take 45 days for the last melanin produced to work its way up to the outer layer of skin! So be patient, you will only see if something works for you after these 45 days.

And now the good news:

Scientific Organics products all contain bearberry and palmaria palmata, in addition to anti-ging and moisturizing ingredients of the highest quality. The peels are natural, contain no chlorine and are essential for draining the pigmentation brought to the surface. This also makes them suitable for any skin tone.

The emerginC Vitamin C Serum contains the much desired - and hard to find - stable form of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, making it an effective and essential remedy for pigmentation. Use it 2x a day. And also gently in the sun; it effectively has a protection of SPF 8.

So if you want to tackle your pigmentation thoroughly then in addition to a little patience and perseverance, you need the following:

Scientific Organics Kombucha cleanser - 2x per day

Scientific Organics At Home Peel and Clarifying kit- 2x per week

Scientific Organics Blue Poppy Seed Enzyme Polish - Alternatively, if you have sensitive skin

emerginC Vitamin C Serum 20%- twice a day, soak in for a good minute.

Scientific Organics Phytocell cream for dry or older skin, or emerginC Active Hydrating Complex for younger, oilier skin, 2x daily.

emerginC sun tinted Natural sunscreen SPF 30 , tinted, with mineral filters. Suitable for everyone because beautifully matte.

TIPS: A supportive treatment at an emerginC salon is definitely recommended! And take a photo on day 1, then every month in the same light; then you can see your progress. Send us your photos after two months, and we can see if it's necessary to put in a stronger peel like the Triple Threat Peel or recommend a treatment for some stubborn spots.

TIPS: For good foundation if you have skin with pigmentation: use a concealer that is much more pink than the one you would normally use on your skin. The consistency preferably not too cake-like: like YSL's Touche Eclat, but we are also fans of Armani's liquid concealer and Bobbi Brown's under eye concealer. For an organic option, we swear by RMS.

Good luck, and feel free to email us with your questions,

Silke

Owner of Indigo Cosmetics