Age spots uncovered! 

Hyperpigmentation, also referred to as discoloration, is defined as uneven dark spots or patches on your skin.  Some of the culprits for this skin discoloration can be acne, hormones or sun exposure.   Once hyperpigmentation takes place, reversing the damage can take weeks or months to repair with treatment.

Sun exposure causes inflammation in the skin which causes our cells to release pigment that makes the skin appear “tan”. This is actually a defense mechanism in which our skin is protecting itself from DNA damage and skin cancer.  Initially, a tan shows up even across the skin canvas, but after repeated exposure, the pigment becomes blotchy and uneven. The skin cannot differentiate what is causing the inflammation, which is why other causes of inflammation such as breakouts, burns, and hormonal changes lead to the same response. This inflammation is why many people’s skin darkens after a burn or a breakout.

Different forms of inflammation can cause hyperpigmentation in different depths in the skin. The deeper the pigment in the skin, the more challenging it is to treat and improve. We recommend daily use of a broad spectrum SPF of at least 30 with a combination of professional treatments and daily care products to prevent and treat discoloration and hyperpigmentation.

Call the Aesthetic Center at 337.310.1070 or visit our website www.facehealth.net to learn more about how to protect yourself from sun exposure and which PCA products or laser treatment might be right for you.