Struggling with hyperpigmentation? Discover effective ways to prevent dark spots and achieve a more even skin tone. Here are some valuable tips you won't want to miss.
Those famous spots that appear on black and mixed-race skin, we'd love to get rid of them! Here are some precautionary tips to avoid their appearance.
Understanding Melanin
Melanin is a pigment produced by skin cells specialized in its creation.
There are two types of melanin: red melanin (phaeomelanin) and black melanin (eumelanin).
Did you know?
We all have the same number of pigment cells! (source: http://www.rendezvouscosmeto.com/peauduvisage/peaunoire.html) but those in black skin are more active and produce more black melanin (whereas light skin produces more red melanin).
The Benefits for Black and Dark Skin: Sun Protection!
- Black melanin provides better protection from the sun and skin cancers. The darker your skin, the more protected it is.
- Warning! this does not mean that you should avoid all sun protection, especially if you have lived in a temperate climate for a long time. Indeed, if this is the case, the skin is often no longer adapted to strong sun exposure as it no longer needs it! So be careful, and opt for sun protection with an SPF between 10 and 30 depending on your skin tone.
- Note: most sunscreens are not well-suited for dark skin; they are too rich and can give a grayish or shiny complexion... more and more brands are starting to offer more suitable products, and you will certainly find them in supermarkets or pharmacies.
The Downside: Spots...
- For black skin, melanin disperses into the most superficial layers of the epidermis. This can cause the appearance of darker spots if you scratch, rub, have pimples, or scars, as melanin production is then stimulated!
- Sunburn can also cause pigment spots, hence the need to use a protective cream!
To Avoid Spots:
For Light Spots:
- Be sure to hydrate your skin well, as these spots are often due to excessive dryness.
- They can also appear when you "detan"; in this case, similarly: be sure to hydrate your skin with a skincare cream at least once a day.
For Dark Spots:
- Don't "pick" at your pimples and let them heal on their own or simply apply a disinfectant.
- Be careful with abrasive products, such as vitamin A and its derived acids found in some creams. They risk being too aggressive again and increasing the number of spots instead of decreasing them! For acne pimples or to fade scars, choose gentle products or oral treatments instead.
- Lightening products can be too aggressive for your skin; some can also increase sun sensitivity and even alter the natural protection melanin offers against the sun!
- Therefore, prefer clarifying products over lightening products, as they are less aggressive for the skin.
- Also be careful with facial scrubs: again, no overly abrasive products; prefer gentle scrubs that act at a very superficial level (from fluffy textures or non-irritating absorbing enzymes).
