Ok ladies, I know you will want to read this one. We all have those annoying brown spots on our face, chest and hands and every day clients ask me how to get rid of those suckers! Here are the 5 best ways to make those spots go bye bye.
Skin pigmentation can take the form of freckles, age spots or larger patches of discolored skin. The most common form is hyper-pigmentation, which is the excess production of the skin pigment melanin, appearing as localized patches, which are darker than the surrounding skin. The patches are typically non-raised, as the hyper-pigmentation occurs beneath the top layer of skin. Pigmentation can be caused by excess sun exposure, injury, post inflammation/acne or hormonal changes. There are many different types of treatments and products that claim to get rid of brown spots. These are the ones the actually work!
1.) IPL - IPL stands for Intense Pulse Light. IPL treatments can help to reduce the appearance of many forms of pigmentation. Darker patches, freckles, age spots/letigines, sun spots, some brown birthmarks and marks left from scars. IPL works by using a broad spectrum of light and it is transmitted through a small, smooth, transparent hand piece which is gently placed over the skin. Cut-off filters in the hand piece change the wavelength range allowing it to be optimized for different applications and skin types. The light penetrates the skin and it is absorbed by the melanin damaging this tissue. The body’s natural processes then remove the injured tissue giving the skin a more even and youthful appearance. Most people need a series of 6 treatments for the best result. I recommend a series to start and maintenance once or twice a year.
2.) Microdermabrasion - Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure that uses tiny crystals or other exfoliating surfaces to help remove the superficial layer of dead skin cells. When you remove the stratum corneum, or the top layer of skin, the body interprets it as an injury. It then quickly replaces the lost skin cells with new, healthy ones. The entire procedure usually takes about 30 minutes for the face.The machines can buff and polish the skin using a stream of fine crystals or a diamond tip, while some also vacuum loose skin cells from the face. The greatest thing about microdermabrasion is it's safe, effective and has much less downtime than chemical peels.
3.) Chemical Peel - A chemical peel is a treatment in which an acid solution is used to remove the damaged outer layers of the skin. In performing chemical peels, estheticians apply alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or a mixture of multiple acids that best penetrate the skin. Typically administered as a facial peel, a chemical peel enhances and smoothes the texture of the skin. It is an effective treatment for facial blemishes, wrinkles, and uneven skin pigmentation. They exfoliate the outer layers of dead skin, revealing a new skin layer with improved tone, texture, and color. In addition to full facial rejuvenation, certain types of skin peels can also be used for spot treatments and as a way to remove stretch marks or rejuvenate skin elsewhere on the body. The chemical peel is one of the oldest cosmetic procedures in the world, and was performed in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome to help people achieve smoother, more beautiful skin. Today, chemical facial peels are popular because they offer nearly immediate results and can be performed as an outpatient procedure.
4.) Rx Retinol- Rx strength Retinols are designed to help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin discoloration. Retinoids work by prompting surface skin
cells to turn over and die rapidly, making way for new cell growth underneath. They
slow the breakdown of collagen and thicken the deeper layer of skin where wrinkles get their start. Many people seem to think retinoids can thin the skin which is simply not true. Retinols do typically cause peeling and redness in the first few weeks of use -- but they actually thicken the skin. For brown spots that give the skin an uneven tone, retinoids slough them off and curb the production of melanin the dark pigment that often creates the brown spot. If Retinols don’t irritate your skin too much they are one of the best products you can use to improve pigmentation.
5.) Medical skin care products - The most gentle way to get rid of brown spots is to use a
non-prescription strength skin care product at home. There are many on the market these days that claim to remove brown spots but only a few get my vote for being truly effective. A few of those are iSClinical Whitening Complex, Skin Ceuticals Retinol 0.5 and PCA’s 0.5 Pure Retinol night. All of these medical lines have effective products that deliver real results without the redness and irritation that are typically caused by Rx retinol products. You can start slow and build to determine how often you can use them without any irritation. These are what I recommend in the clinic every day and what most clients can start any time they want to see a difference and not pay a ton of money.
I hope this list helps you determine what you think you need to get back to a silky, bright, even complexion. Of course the TT Beauty team is always available to help point you in the right direction and get you the results you are looking for. Can we help you?
XOXO,
TT
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