Hyperpigmentation, Demystified

We all love spending time at the beach, but if you’re not careful to protect your skin from UVA/UVB rays, you may be prone to sun damage.

Dark spots or hyperpigmentation can dull your otherwise clear and bright complexion. This darkening occurs due to the excess production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color.

The three most common types of hyperpigmentation include:

Age spots

Age spots, also called sunspots or ‘solar lentigines,’ are small, flat, dark areas on the skin. They typically appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, arms, back, legs, and any areas of the body exposed to the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays.

Although age spots are most common in people 50 and up, younger people can get them if they spend a lot of time in the sun without using sun protection. People with fair skin types, who are most prone to sunburn, also often develop age spots.


Melasma

Melasma is so common during pregnancy that it's sometimes referred to as the "mask of pregnancy."

Many women develop melasma or blotchy dark patches and spots on their faces during pregnancy or when they start taking oral contraceptives.

Melasma appears most commonly on the cheeks, nose, chin, above the upper lip and the forehead. It can also affect your arms, neck and back. In fact, melasma can affect any part of your skin that is exposed to sunlight without protection.


Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)

This form of hyperpigmentation is caused by an injury, such as sun exposure, or a skin condition that can develop scarring, such as acne. It may also occur after treatments with energy-based devices such as lasers in some people.

There are many myths about hyperpigmentation out there, but not all are safe or effective. As professional skincare experts, the meso’me team wants to debunk some of these common misconceptions about hyperpigmentation and its treatment.

Myth No.1: Hyperpigmentation only affects people with darker skin tones

Anyone can develop hyperpigmentation. It is due to hormonal imbalances such as those that occur during pregnancy or when using birth control pills and exposure to sunlight and pollutants. Hyperpigmentation is more common and tends to be more severe in darker skin types.

Myth No. 2: Hyperpigmentation is a short-term skin condition

Unfortunately, hyperpigmentation can be a long-term skin concern. It can turn up at any time due to hormones or chronic sun exposure.

Myth No. 3: Skin bleaching cream is the only way to fade dark spots

Not anymore. Hydroquinone has been used to bleach and fade dark patches by slowing the production of melanin, but it is not available in many countries and can cause significant side effects, including discoloration, rashes and swelling.

Myth No. 4: There's no way to enhance the absorption of skincare ingredients

Many creams and lotions aren't as effective as they could be because the active ingredients can’t get where they are needed most: the dermis which is your skin’s collagen maker. Enter meso’me’s Radiance. Its integrated microneedles stimulate the skin’s natural wound-healing process, resulting in a boost of fibroblasts, collagen, elastin, and other extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Collagen and elastin are the two main proteins that give skin its elastic and youthful properties.

Myth No. 5: Mesotherapy is only done in a doctor’s office or medspa

Not anymore! Meso’me serums produce in-office-like mesotherapy results at home. The serums are packaged in containers with integrated microneedles that enable the stimulation of collagen production and increase the absorption of the active ingredients.


Myth No. 6: There’s no way to prevent hyperpigmentation

Judicious use of sunscreen with SPF30 or higher can protect, prevent, and help clear current dark spots. Make sure you don’t skip this important step.

Myth: Hyperpigmentation will disappear on its own

Many dermatologists and skin care professionals recommend safe treatments to fade dark spots. For example, Tranexamic Acid, which inhibits melanocyte activation, and glutathione and carnosine, two potent antioxidants that attack damaging free radicals that can cause dark spots.

Bonus: Gluthanione also inhibits melanin production. This triple threat is why meso'me's Radiance, a potent brightening serum used with our signature roller, is so effective at brightening complexions and improving hyperpigmentation.

People using meso’me’s Radiance report smoother and brighter skin, with 80% saying this serum is extremely effective for fading dark spots. After applying the serum three times a week for 56 days, radiance improved by 28.2% and the homogeneity of skin i.e
Smoothness in texture or facial skin care distribution increased by 12.2%. 

Find out more about the meso’me collection of home care treatments to enhance your most beautiful skin and hair.

meso’me… as natural as me likes to be