Is my Wash cloth causing hyperpimentation ? February 14, 2013

I have come to the conclusion that my washcloth is harmful to my skin. Not the skin over my entire body, but the skin on my face. I have an acneic skin type ( yes estheticians have skin problems too) and although I work hard to keep it under control I still get break outs from time to time. With that, I also get hyperpigmentation (dark spots) after the blemish is gone.

When washing my face in the morning and evening before bed, like most people I use a washcloth. I rub over my skin  (gently) to remove the cleanser and of course I am washing over the blemish or the pigmentated area. Generally speaking using a wash cloth is fine, however herin lies the problem ; Hyperpigmentation is the result of melanin activity under the skin. Everyone’s skin produces melanin, it’s part of our skins protection. There are different reasons that hyperpigmentation occurs . One of which  is some type of trauma or inflammation in the skin that causes melanin production to increase in an effort to heal the area.

Rubbing the skin too many times (night & day) with a cloth could agrevate the skin. Depending on the texture of the cloth, the abrasiveness may add to the inflammation and irritation  which will stimulate melanin activity.  This may cause the pigmentation to last longer on the skin or make old areas reappear.  Although I do not rub aggressively, I may be still doing too much because of the frequency. By choosing to lower the frequency on the use of my cloth, using something much, much softer, the pigmentation will fade away faster. Especially when using products in your home care to support this such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E , and GreenTea

Being too aggressive is not necessarily my problem, but it doesnt mean that I can’t take some further steps to maintaining beautiful skin. Perhaps it is a problem for others, which is why I share this post. To let some know that sometimes less is better. We have to protect the skin ! Wiping harder, scrubbing more or using a washcloth is not going to make the blemishes better.

Here are a couple of links that I think you would find helpful if this is a concern for you too :

http://blog.reneerouleau.com/2009/10/got-brown-spots-avoid-vigorous-rubbing-of-the-skin/

http://buy.dermalogica.com/e2wItemMain.aspx?parentID=IT00001277

Seeing spots April 25, 2012

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

www.brownskin.net

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921758/