With the exception of a bad case of adult acne, nothing is more frustrating than the remaining clues that tell what our skin has been through.
Once you have made a determined effort to clear up your acne by getting a professional skin analysis, using appropriate skin care products and a good skincare regimen your skin is smooth, and you don’t wants to see those spots. Basically these dark spots are called Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. It is caused by inflammation in the skin due to acne, lesions or any truama on the skin. Extra melanin is produced to assist the healing of the skin thus darkening that area. Based on the skin of each person (light to dark) the spots on the skin can range in color from pink to brown to black. Depending on the skin tone it may determine how soon the pigmented areas fade. Regardless, you must keep in mind that the improvement process will take months not days or weeks in most cases (this is the hard part). Results can be seen within 3, 6, 12 and in severe cases 24 months.
Some over the counter products containing vitamin A, Vitamin C, Glycolic and 2% hydroquinone can be purchased to exfoliate and fade the skin. Regular exfoliation plays a good part in the skins turnover which will help expose the “new skin” faster, lessening the appearance of the hyperpigmentation.
Here are a few suggestions to help fade away those spots and get back to that beautiful healthy looking skin :
1. Wear a broad range spf 30 every day, rain or shine. Sunlight will darken the pigmentation areas because it triggers melanin production (hence why our skin “tans” )
2. Remember in your home care to exfoliate 2-3 times per week to increase cell turnover.
3. Get an enzyme peel or chemical peel series from your esthetician, it helps to brighten the skin, fade dark spots & give it a smooth texture.
4. Microdermabrasion has also been found to be an effective exfoliation treatment that also assist in lessening the appearance of hyperpigmented areas.
5. Use toner pads with ingredients that are natural skin lighteners such as kojic acid, malic acid and arbutin. These pads are effective, quick and easy to use. A good one I recommend is made by SkinScript RX.
At the end of the day remember to be patient and be consistent.
*photo credit wallpaperstock.net
For further info here is some extra reading content
Skin And Body Focus 