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Hyperpigmentation, causes and prevention
If you find parts of your face are becoming darker than others, especially around the forehead, apples of the cheeks and jawline you most likely have hyper-pigmentation.
What is hyper-pigmentation?
Hyper-pigmentation describes any disorder where the melanocytes (Melanin pigment-producing cells in the skin) have become over-active and are producing too much pigment, causing a patchy or un-even appearance in skin tone.
It has been scientifically proven that un-even skin tone makes a person look much older and less attractive than they really are.
A Common type of hyperpigmentation is Melasma, which is a broad term used to describe physiological factors which may cause this over-action of the pigment-producing cells.
Melasma is commonly caused by fluctuating hormone levels, specifically oestrogen, during pregnancy, menopause or can be caused by oestrogen supplements, contraceptive pills, HRT and cellular hypersensitivity to normal oestrogen levels.
Sun exposure is an added culprit, together with the hormones it plays an important role in the distribution of melasma on sun exposed skin.
Source: miravueskinclinic.com
Why you should wear sun screen every day
The effect of the Sun’s rays is something that people in the UK are underestimating, at their peril!
Because the bad effects take a long time to materialise it is hard to see a direct relationship between sun exposure and bad skin. Much like seeing the link between smoking or drinking too much and chronic disease.
Most of the damage caused by UV exposure happens before we are 20 and the full extent of the damage can take up to 30 years to become evident. This is why it is vitally important to protect your children’s skin from the sun, and your own.
Why is sun exposure harmful to the skin?
If you’re outside during the day you will be getting exposed to the Sun and UV radiation.
UV radiation from the sun can cause damage to your skin all year round, at any temperature. This UV exposure can lead to photo-ageing, wrinkles, sun spots and skin cancer (melanoma).Sunburn and sun tan are both indicators of skin damage that has already happened.[1.]
Source: miravueskinclinic.com
dermatologist answers your questions
Sorry for getting these up way later than expected, all my fault! The Clinic was absolutely wonderful at answering them, Chi-Chi and I chose 10 of the most common and our favorite and send them over. Since these are quite long I’ve put most of them under the cut. Thanks so much to Max & everyone at Miravue Skin Clinic for answering the questions and being a dream to work with.
1. What is an effective anti-aging regimen for the 20-somethings?
Broad-spectrum sun screen daily to prevent any photo-ageing. Most of the UV damage done to your skin happens before your 20’s but can take up to 30 years to show. UVA exposure can deplete collagen in your skin, making it thinner and more prone to developing wrinkles. UVA and UVB can also cause hyperpigmentation, dehydration and direct damage to the cells (sun burn) and in the worst cases can lead to skin cancer. Anti oxidant serum applied daily to prevent any damage from oxygen free radicals/reactive oxygen species (ROS). Vitamin C is another good anti-oxidant and can be effective either via ingestion (eating/drinking) or topically (onto the skin). Lifestyle can be improved by avoiding factors, or reducing your exposure to factors, that can cause you skin damage such as; smoking, drinking heavily, sun exposure, UV exposure (from sun beds), not getting enough vitamins and not drinking enough water daily.
Max Holloway - Head of Online Marketing at Miravue Skin Clinic
