Hyperpigmentation vs. Hypopigmentation

Hyperpigmentation or Hypopigmentation?

What gives freckles their color? An overabundance of melanin; the same pigment that’s responsible for skin conditions which show up as irregularly dark or light skin. Across all races and natural skin colors, too much or too little melanin will result in skin that appears unusually dark or light, known respectively as hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.

In most cases, there are treatments available for skin with irregularly dark or light patches. The following overview of these two opposite yet related issues will help you determine which one you might have, and how to treat it.

Hyperpigmentation

Irregularly dark patches on the skin are known as hyperpigmentation; an overabundance of melanin. This is an extremely common skin condition for men and women of all races and ages. It’s causes when the cells responsible for producing melanin are either overactive or overabundant.

UV Exposure

Commonly occurring agespots, also known as liver spots, are dark spots often occurring on the face of light-skinned individuals. They are a result of exposure to UV rays, and worsen over time with more UV exposure rather than as a direct result of aging.

Skin Injury

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or “PIH” often results from acne, burns, or psoriasis, and is generally easily treated.

Hormones

Birth control pills, hormone replacements, thyroid imbalance, and pregnancy can all trigger hyperpigmentation in the form of a condition known as melasma.

While there is no medical threat to hyperpigmentation, the appearance of these darker patches can be a nagging aesthetic concern for some. Luckily, there are many treatments available that can help to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Here are a few we suggest:

Arbutin Brightening Duo Kit

No matter the cause of your hyperpigmentation, the daily serum and moisturizer in this kit can help to correct it. They are each safe and effective treatments including Lemon Balm, Peppermint, and other ingredients with the natural power to fighthyperpigmentation. Their skin lightening ingredients work by inhibiting the enzyme that produces melanin in your skin. Perfect for those seeking a more natural approach to the harsh alternative of skin bleaching.

Jessner 14% Peel Kit – Medium Strength

Treat hyperpigmentation with this remarkable medium strength peel, including Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid and Resorcinol to reveal a new, revitalized layer of your skin. Prepare with a daily exfoliator, and expect a downtime of two to three weeks.

TCA 30% Peel Kit – Deep Strength

If you’re looking for a more intensive treatment for advanced hyperpigmentation, this kit can help to correct stubborn dark patches, as well as deep wrinkles, sagging skin, and crow’s feet. TCA is a great option for resurfacing and renewing your skin.

If you are new to peels, start with a lower percentage TCA peel. Expect two weeks of downtime and up to two months of full recovery after this treatment. Protect your skin afterward with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Hypopigmentation

Hypopigmentation, also knows as skin depigmentation, is the medical term for abnormally light skin. This means your skin has less than the normal amount of melanin, which is the pigment that gives your skin its color. Causes of this condition include:

Skin Disorders

Albinism is a rare disorder resulting in a complete lack of pigmentation in the skin, and also in the eyes and hair. This occurs when the enzyme needed to produce melanin is missing. If you carry this trait, you have a higher risk of sun damage and skin cancer, so be sure to take extra precautions to limit your sun exposure and wear sunscreen daily.

Another such disorder is Vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder involving damage to the cells which produce pigment, results in smooth white patches, sometimes over the whole body. Ultraviolet light treatments, corticosteroid creams, and makeup are the common methods used to treat Vitiligo.

Skin Damage

Sometimes trauma experienced by the skin results in a loss of pigmentation. This can include burns, blisters, or skin infection. In many cases, your body will naturally re-pigment the affected areas over time. Cosmetics can ease the transition period of your pigment’s regeneration.

Dynamic Anti-Aging: The Super Fruits Prevention Duo Kit

In a time when UV radiation is a growing concern for your skin’s daily health, there’s a super pair of skincare products who are ready to fight back. The Super Fruits Prevention Serum and Moisturizer Cream are a powerful team! Together they can stop free radicals in their tracks and combat the visible signs of aging, protecting the youthful vitality of your skin.

Who is at Risk of UV-Related Skin Damage?

Unfortunately, anyone who is regularly exposed to sunlight encounters UV rays. The more often you’re exposed to the damaging effects of UV rays, the more your chances of developing skin cancer rise. If you live in a sunny climate, your risk of long-term exposure to UV rays leaves you more likely to sustain damage to the genetic DNA that keep your skin cells healthy and growing.

Skin damage is a short-term effect of excess UV ray exposure. You may know it as the common sunburn or tan. Over time, these seemingly harmless effects can create long-term exposure hazards such as wrinkles, prematurely aged skin, pre-cancerous signs of rough ketosis patches, and dark “liver spots” or “age spots”.

How Does It Work?

The Super Fruits Prevention Duo works together to capture the free radicals which result from UV exposure before they have a chance to harm your skin. These fruits are so full of antioxidants that six of them working together have a dramatic effect on your skin’s health.

What’s in the Kit?

This powerful pair get their strength from the natural antioxidants found in fruits such as pomegranate, acai, gogi, coffee berry, and mangosteen.

Super Fruits Prevention Serum

This mighty serum primes your skin for moisture with many powerful antioxidant ingredients.

One of its key ingredients is coffee berry extract, which has been shown to lessen the effects of long-term or frequent exposure to UV rays. Coffee berry extract increases your skin’s collagen and elastin production, infusing your skin with vital elasticity. It contains caffeine, which is an effective treatment to lessen the appearance of crow’s feet.

Acai berry is full of polyphenols which halt the production of cancerous skin cells, and fights free radicals with its powerful antioxidants.

Noni fruit is a tropical super fruit. South Pacific cultures have known about its amazing healing powers for thousands of years. It contains a high concentration of selenium, which promotes firmer and more elastic skin.

Super Fruits Prevention Moisturizer Cream

This intensive moisturizer seals in the effects of the serum and boosts your skin’s protection against the aging effects of UV rays even more.

The jojoba oil in this moisturizer actually has natural sunscreen properties. When used alone, it actually has an SPF of 4. It is not recommended for use by itself as a sunscreen, but it is incredibly moisturizing for dry skin which makes it a popular ingredient in skincare and haircare products.

Coenzyme Q10 is another powerhouse ingredient. It repairs and protects your skin with its antioxidant properties, protecting you from damaging UV light.