What is pigmentation caused by acne?
Pigmentation is the excessive production of melanin while the skin heals active acne. Because melanin is being overproduced in a localised area, the acne turns into a dark spot or becomes hyperpigmented. It is much harder to get rid of pigmentation than it is to get rid of the acne itself. Multiple layers of skin developed over the hyperpigmented layer making it difficult for products to penetrate and brighten the skin. However, there are multiple ways pigmentation can be dealt with, which will be covered in more depth below.
Causes of Hyperpigmentation
Here are some of the reasons pigmentation occurs
Inflammation of the skin of any kind triggers the overproduction of melanin which can result in a red, brown, or tan spot that appears on the skin’s surface. This is because the immune system becomes overactive when there is a rupture in the skin barrier from inflammation. Some of the chemical factors involved in the production of hyperpigmentation are : skin cytokines, chemokines, and prostanoids.
UV light also triggers the overproduction of melanin in certain spots. Exposure to UV can result in excessive melanin darkening any pre-existing spots such as acne marks, moles, and more. Even when an acne scar is almost healed, depending on your skin type and genetics, exposure to UV light can darken it further.
Hormonal changes, particularly in women as they age, impact how the skin responds to environmental triggers like UV and inflammation. Some people are more prone to hyperpigmentation in their teenage years, whereas older individuals are likely to develop sun spots and moles. In either case, the degree of hyperpigmentation changes because of hormonal influence.
How to prevent spots from getting darker
There is no easy way to battle hyperpigmentation. Any product that claims to work ‘overnight’ is probably overstating its impact. The key to dealing with hyperpigmentation effectively is a combination of treatment and prevention, with a focus on UV protection. In other words, sunscreen is your best friend above all else. In addition to regular SPF use, using skin treatments like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and other proven hyperpigmentation solutions can target the concern faster.
However, even such treatments can only do so much without protecting your skin from sun damage. They won’t go very far if you avoid wearing sunscreen or SPF of any kind whenever your skin is exposed to sunlight. In fact, your skin will be more sensitised to the external environment since these treatments tend to be exfoliating for the skin. This is why SPF is the first recommendation followed by targeted treatments.
One of the best ways to treat hyperpigmentation is through a natural skincare routine that includes antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other skin foods, with SPF sealing in all the goodness. Auravedic’s Bye Bye pigmentation makes for the perfect treatment since it has skin brightening and exfoliating ingredients like Kesar (antioxidant/brightening), Haldi (exfoliating), Ashwagandha (anti-inflammatory/ soothing), and Chandan (antiseptic). You also get to reap the skin brightening benefits of Vitamin C and the preventative benefits of SPF 50 in our Vitamin C SPF 50 moisturiser.
Pigmentation is the excessive production of melanin while the skin heals active acne. Because melanin is being overproduced in a localised area, the acne turns into a dark spot or becomes hyperpigmented. It is much harder to get rid of pigmentation than it is to get rid of the acne itself. Multiple layers of skin developed over the hyperpigmented layer making it difficult for products to penetrate and brighten the skin. However, there are multiple ways pigmentation can be dealt with, which will be covered in more depth below.
Causes of Hyperpigmentation
Here are some of the reasons pigmentation occurs
Inflammation of the skin of any kind triggers the overproduction of melanin which can result in a red, brown, or tan spot that appears on the skin’s surface. This is because the immune system becomes overactive when there is a rupture in the skin barrier from inflammation. Some of the chemical factors involved in the production of hyperpigmentation are : skin cytokines, chemokines, and prostanoids.
UV light also triggers the overproduction of melanin in certain spots. Exposure to UV can result in excessive melanin darkening any pre-existing spots such as acne marks, moles, and more. Even when an acne scar is almost healed, depending on your skin type and genetics, exposure to UV light can darken it further.
Hormonal changes, particularly in women as they age, impact how the skin responds to environmental triggers like UV and inflammation. Some people are more prone to hyperpigmentation in their teenage years, whereas older individuals are likely to develop sun spots and moles. In either case, the degree of hyperpigmentation changes because of hormonal influence.
How to prevent spots from getting darker
There is no easy way to battle hyperpigmentation. Any product that claims to work ‘overnight’ is probably overstating its impact. The key to dealing with hyperpigmentation effectively is a combination of treatment and prevention, with a focus on UV protection. In other words, sunscreen is your best friend above all else. In addition to regular SPF use, using skin treatments like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and other proven hyperpigmentation solutions can target the concern faster.
However, even such treatments can only do so much without protecting your skin from sun damage. They won’t go very far if you avoid wearing sunscreen or SPF of any kind whenever your skin is exposed to sunlight. In fact, your skin will be more sensitised to the external environment since these treatments tend to be exfoliating for the skin. This is why SPF is the first recommendation followed by targeted treatments.
One of the best ways to treat hyperpigmentation is through a natural skincare routine that includes antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other skin foods, with SPF sealing in all the goodness. Auravedic’s Bye Bye pigmentation makes for the perfect treatment since it has skin brightening and exfoliating ingredients like Kesar (antioxidant/brightening), Haldi (exfoliating), Ashwagandha (anti-inflammatory/ soothing), and Chandan (antiseptic). You also get to reap the skin brightening benefits of Vitamin C and the preventative benefits of SPF 50 in our Vitamin C SPF 50 moisturiser.
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