As we grow older, we have to deal with more and more environmental stressors on our bodies as well as our skin. There are some minor issues such as pimples, while the bigger issues such as sunspots, patches of discoloration, etc. are our main concern. We can’t stop the environmental stressors from causing damage to our skin, but thankfully we can cure it to quite an extent. If you are dealing with certain dark spots or sun damage that cause pigmentation, there are quite a few treatment options to choose from. From some effective home remedies to some doctor-approved treatment methods, here are some of the methods that we found to work best for this issue.
Lightening creams
There are quite a few over-the-counter medications available that help deal with pigmentation by making your skin lighter. These work with select ingredients and target these affected areas. You can apply it once, or even twice a day to help your skin lighten up over a period of time. These mostly come in the form of some cream or gel. Be sure that your cream has at least vitamin B-3 or licorice extract because these are the most effective ingredients in fighting pigmentation.
Face acids
Skin acids or face acids help in shedding the outermost layer of your skin. It will exfoliate the skin so that new cells come out to the surface and take the place of the damaged ones. This will enable your skin to have a more even skin tone and will also make it quite smooth. These are available in the form of azelaic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, or even Vitamin C. If you have a fairer skin tone, this will be the best kind of treatment to try at home.
IPL
If you have a ton of sun damage on your skin, your best bet would be to get Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy for your face. Also known as a photo facial, IPL helps treat irregular pigmentation on your face and its surrounding areas. The best part is, ipl side effects are not as common and are not as dangerous as well. You will start to see quite the difference in your face over the course of 4-6 treatments. This is a non-invasive procedure that helps your skin heal one layer at a time.
Retinoids
Retinoids are one of the oldest OTC skin care ingredients that are derived from Vitamin A. This ingredient has the power to penetrate your skin at a deeper level, even below the epidermis. You can even get prescription retinoids after talking to your dermatologist. If you have a darker complexion, this is the perfect treatment for you. It also helps in dealing with wrinkles and fine lines. You can even pick up some nighttime creams that have retinoids as the main active ingredient in order to get the best of both worlds.
It is important to understand the different kinds of treatments you have available for your pigmented skin. Try these out and see the difference in a couple of months.