Summer is beloved for its irresistible relaxation and carefree spirit, which are so at odds with the rest of the year, where our focus is on obligations, tasks, projects… It's precisely because of this summer carefreeness that we sometimes forget our usual skincare routine, which we strive for throughout the rest of the year to ensure the health, freshness, and youthfulness of our skin. And that's why it's no surprise that one of the most common skin problems women face in the autumn months is actually an unwanted reminder of the summer days when we were excessively exposed to the sun without sunscreen. We're talking about hyperpigmentation, or spots on the face and body that disturb aesthetics and require persistent and prolonged treatment.

WHAT IS HYPERPIGMENTATION?

Hyperpigmentation changes are light to dark brown spots, which most commonly appear above the lips, on the cheeks and forehead, often also on the décolletage, neck, and even on the hands. They occur due to excessive melanin production, which is a consequence of excessive exposure of the skin to UV radiation. The body produces too much melanin to defend itself against damage caused by UV radiation. Melanin is responsible for tanning and protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Pigment cells, or melanocytes, are located at the base of the epidermis and produce the protein melanin, while keratinocytes transfer melanin to the surface of the skin. When sunbathing is excessive and suitable protective products are not used, under the negative effects of ultraviolet rays, melanocytes begin to produce more melanin than necessary.

HOW MANY TYPES OF HYPERPIGMENTATION SPOTS ARE THERE?

We distinguish four types of pigmentation changes:

1. Freckles are small sunspots, darker spots like dots on the skin, often appearing on the face, décolletage, and hands. Some freckles occur genetically and become more pronounced in the summer.
2. Age spots or liver spots usually appear in both sexes in middle and old age as a result of excessive sun exposure and can vary from light brown to black. Age spots can be found on any part of the body, and their appearance can cause a lack of confidence as they are directly associated with aging, which is much more apparent with these spots.
3. Melasma or chloasma caused by hormonal changes. It can also occur after taking birth control pills. It occurs on the face, specifically on the nose, forehead, cheeks, and lips.
4. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs due to some damage to the skin, such as acne, burns, or injuries.

EIGHT TIPS ON HOW TO FIGHT HYPERPIGMENTATION:

1. SPF 30 sunscreen and reducing sun exposure are the first steps!
2. Avoid touching acne and scabs to prevent scarring and spots from forming.
3. Products and serums with vitamin C are your best allies because vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that solves many skin problems and can lighten darker areas and reduce discoloration. It promotes natural skin regeneration. With regular use, they reduce the visibility of spots.
4. Retinol is also beneficial in the fight against hyperpigmentation. This form of vitamin A accelerates skin cell turnover and penetrates deep into the skin, affecting pigment production in the skin, acting on visible dark areas, as well as on freckles that have not yet appeared on the surface. Retinol should be slowly introduced into the skincare routine as in higher concentrations, it can be aggressive. It is good to wait until autumn to start using it, when the sun is no longer strong, so the skin does not react intensely and become red and irritated.
5. Try specialized cosmetic treatments such as laser therapy, intense pulsed light, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion.
6. Reach for allies from nature, such as aloe vera, licorice, and green tea. They can be used at home to reduce skin hyperpigmentation.
7. Essential oils such as immortelle oil work wonders on spots, so it is more than useful to include them in your evening skincare routine. You will get the most out of the oil if you apply it to damp skin and massage your face with it.
8. Don't forget about AHA acids, natural acids that remove dead skin cells and peel off the surface layer, fading spots. All exfoliants based on vitamin C, retinol, AHA acids, and niacinamide should be applied in the evening and never layered, although serums with vitamin C can be used in the morning before SPF cream. To prevent the recurrence of spots, wear sunscreen creams throughout the year.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR SPOTS TO DISAPPEAR?

The time it takes for hyperpigmentation changes to fade depends on several factors, such as how widespread and deeply rooted the spots are in the skin, as well as how (un)responsibly we expose ourselves to the sun. In some cases, professional treatment is also required, after which the condition can be maintained and prevented with cosmetic products.

NIKEL'S RECOMMENDATION

Regularly care for your skin with products containing active ingredients that will reduce melanin production and make dark spots less visible. Daisy flower extract evens out skin color in cases of pigmentation disorders - hyperpigmentation, sunspots, age spots because it contains bioactive molecules such as saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and inulin. Chamomile has a strong inhibitory effect on the process of pigment formation (melanogenesis), which is patented. It regenerates skin cells, lightens melanin in the epidermis. The HYPERPIGMENTATION set, which includes Serum and Cream with Daisy, is used for complete daily and nightly skincare, as well as for areas without spots to prevent their appearance and give the skin moisture and vital elements for elasticity and firmness. Regularity is crucial for desired results. Treating hyperpigmentation spots, dots, freckles, and spots is a challenging and complex process that requires patience, so be gentle with yourself and your skin!