Clay is considered an effective remedy for age spots. There are many proven recipes from this substance, with which you can quickly get rid of darkened areas on the skin. Using clay as a cosmetic product, you need to follow some rules for working with it, namely, apply the clay composition directly to the problem area, at the end of the procedure, lubricate the skin with a rich cream and observe regularity. This is the only way to achieve the desired results in the fight against age spots.
Clay has long been used to treat unwanted pigment spots on the skin.
What are age spots?
A cosmetic defect in the form of flat areas darker than the main area of the skin appears due to increased melanin synthesis in specific areas. Age spots can appear at birth or develop throughout life. Elements are responsible for skin tone, each of which has its own function:
- melanin – protects against the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation, has antioxidant properties, is involved in eliminating the effects of stress, and reduces the activity of free radicals;
- carotene – ensures cell regeneration, slows down the aging process;
- hemoglobins - blue and oxyhemoglobin are designed to color the blood and are responsible for a healthy glow and natural skin color.
Increased pigmentation is the result of excess melanin. Most often, pigmentation is observed in the form of freckles, which are associated with a genetic factor or exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Freckles are more common on the face, décolleté, back and forearms. Less commonly they cover the hands. They can be very small in size or merge into conglomerations, forming large areas of hyperpigmentation. Red-haired people with fair skin are prone to freckles. In winter the spots become paler, in summer they become brighter. They do not pose a health hazard, it is just a cosmetic flaw from the point of view of some people, and a “highlight” in the opinion of others.
There are also other types of pigmentation, some of them are dangerous in terms of degeneration into malignant neoplasms:
- Nevi and birthmarks are an uneven distribution of melanin in skin cells. The shade varies from light pink to dark brown. They are not particularly dangerous until they begin to change their structure. Birthmarks on the face, visible areas and areas subject to friction are best removed.
- Melasma, chloasma without sharply defined boundaries on the face, neck, shoulders. Associated with problems of the hormonal system. Eliminated using cosmetic procedures.
- Lentigo – age-related pigmentation, age spots. Most often they cover the upper body. They are poorly masked by cosmetics, but it is possible to reduce their intensity with the help of salon procedures.
- Hypopigmentation includes vitiligo and albinism - discolored areas of the skin.
Pigmentation is dermal, forming in the deep layers of the epidermis. And epidermal, which affects the upper layers of the skin.
Main reasons
If age spots from the sun appear on the face, many are interested in what helps, what to treat and what to do, but first of all you should find out what caused them.
I Heredity
This is the most common option. Even our distant ancestors often found their relatives based on similar characteristics. Information is recorded in the DNA code and passed from parents to children.
II Disorders due to hormonal changes
The dermis is not only the largest organ of the human body, but also completely dependent on hormones. Primarily sex hormones - estrogen and testosterone, as well as those produced by the pituitary gland - adrenocorticotropin, thyrotropin and somatotropin. When exposed to ultraviolet rays, they initiate a chain reaction, resulting in an unsightly dark area.
What makes the problem worse
- Taking a variety of drugs that affect hormones, including contraceptives.
- Processes during menopause.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Phases of the ovulation cycle in women.
- Teenage "hormonal storm".
III Diseases
Often, our epidermis becomes an indicator of health, which many simply do not pay attention to, and then think about how to remove and how to quickly remove age spots from the face, and what kind of cleansing is more suitable. Diseases that have prerequisites for the appearance of spots:
- Bacterial as well as viral infections.
- Endocrine pathologies (hypothyroidism, diabetes of any type, etc.).
- Kidney failure.
- Fungi.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
- Hypovitaminosis, hypervitaminosis.
- Violation of metabolic processes.
- Parasites.
- Sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.
IV Peeling and other cosmetic procedures
Sometimes some manipulations for “beauty enhancement” can also affect the appearance of pigments. There are several prerequisites for this: injury or stimulation of inflammation. Therefore, it is extremely important to first diagnose the nature of the spots and only then contact a cosmetologist.
V Acne
Experts say that even the slightest mechanical damage can cause the development of pigmentation. If you squeeze out a pimple, the stratum corneum will inevitably be damaged. If you do not protect it with anything and do not use restorative agents, then it is likely that a small brown area will remain there.
Causes of age spots on the face
Cosmetic flaw occurs in women, men and even newborn children. There are several reasons for pigmentation:
- frequent and intense exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the skin - disrupts cell structure, inhibits regeneration, destroys collagen fibers;
- trauma - scratches, abrasions, cuts, hematomas can activate the production of melanin in a certain area;
- hormonal imbalance - during puberty, during pregnancy, menstruation, menopause;
- pathologies of internal organs - most often the adrenal glands, liver, gall and thyroid glands;
- skin diseases, especially acne;
- taking certain medications with photosensitivity effects;
- poor circulation in the extremities;
- diseases of the reproductive system;
- infections, viruses, bacteria, fungal pathologies;
- heredity.
In newborns, pigment spots may appear due to the difficulties of the mother's delivery. Most of them go away on their own in the first year of life, but all formations require monitoring.
In men
The stronger sex may also well suffer from such a common problem, but its prerequisites are somewhat different:
- Sensitive and excessively thin dermis.
- Genetics.
- Neuroses, constant stress.
- Excess estrogen.
- Lack of minerals and vitamins.
- Age over 45 years.
- Smoking, drinking alcohol, hazardous work conditions.
Some of the reasons naturally overlap with “female” ones.
How to remove pigment spots on the face from a cosmetologist
Aesthetic medicine provides a variety of techniques for removing defects. But before determining the method of influencing the pigment spot, the cosmetologist must conduct an examination. Consultations with specialized doctors may be required: endocrinologist, gynecologist, dermatologist, venereologist. Techniques for removing age spots in specialized institutions:
- chemical exfoliation (peeling) with preparations based on fruit acids - activates metabolic processes, cleanses the skin, evenly discolors spots, restores velvety;
- photorejuvenation – reduction of pigmentation brightness, cell regeneration, brightening effect;
- microdermabrasion - soft grinding of the surface layer of the skin, evens out and brightens the tone, improves microcirculation;
- cryotherapy - exposure to cold using liquid nitrogen, is more applicable for eliminating nevi and severe pigmentation;
- mesotherapy is an injection method of lightening with preparations containing peptides;
- Laser therapy is a painless procedure for eliminating pigmentation, suitable for treating large areas and intensely colored spots.
Any cosmetological technique requires preparation and compliance with the rules of care after manipulation. In some cases, one procedure is enough, in others, 3 to 5 sessions are required.
Removing dark areas: face control
There are many techniques and methods that will help get rid of unwanted darkening forever.
Peeling
This procedure is aimed not only at elimination, but also at correction and prevention. It can even out tone and improve skin quality. Chloasma and freckles after it become very pale, and sometimes disappear completely.
Chemical
This is the most effective peeling possible, which helps eliminate such defects. For the surface layers, regular almond, retinoic, glycolic, salicylic or milk are suitable. However, if the depth is high, you will have to use something more powerful.
Mechanical
The impact is carried out using abrasive substances that “grind” the surface. Coffee and coral peelings have proven themselves well. There is also dermabrasion, when grinding is carried out using devices with rotating elements. This method is very traumatic. Those who have very sensitive and thin skin should view the procedure with caution.
Hardware
The laser option is considered the most promising in cosmetology. It can not only eliminate pigmentation, but also wrinkles, creases, scars, scars and other irregularities. There are many contraindications to such treatment, so you should first be examined by a doctor.
Mesotherapy and biorevitalization
They are the best method to deliver antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging substances not only to the superficial, but also to the deep layers. Both techniques are injection techniques, which use a variety of “cocktails” with the addition of ingredients that can eliminate unwanted coloring.
Phototherapy (IPL therapy)
Involves influencing particles using light. It is painless and safe, and has a small list of contraindications.
PRP therapy or autologous cellular rejuvenation
The essence of the technique is to administer to a person his own plasma, but already enriched with platelets. It can not only remove defects, but also prevent their occurrence.
Cosmetic programs for prevention and correction
Complexes of this kind will help completely eliminate the problem, having a very beneficial effect. They nourish, moisturize, whiten and even rejuvenate the skin. Usually 6-8 sessions are recommended, one or two per week.
"Kurasen"
It is very important to choose the right drug for amino acid replacement therapy for patients. CURACEN contains histidine, and its L-configuration determines the greatest bioavailability.
On the other hand, in the practice of an aesthetic medicine specialist, it is not always possible to use injection techniques - administering the drug is either impossible, or has an increased unjustified risk of an adverse reaction or complication. For example, thin and hypersensitive skin with a damaged epidermal barrier, a long period of regeneration after invasive procedures.
In such situations, it is recommended to use the biological product CURACEN Essence, which is designed for administration using non-invasive methods. The amino acid composition acts as a skin reductant. Thanks to the restoration of the protein composition of the epidermis against the background of the main therapy, the water-lipid mantle and the epidermal barrier are strengthened, which not only promotes a moisturizing effect, but also soothes the skin by reducing its sensitivity and relieving inflammatory reactions.
Clinical results show that Curasen protects cells from UV-induced damage.
Anti-age drugs
Bb Laboratories – Hyaluron-elastin-collagen extract
Laennec – solution for injection
Curacen Essence (20 fl x 2 ml)
Two-phase placental serum concentrate
How to remove pigment on the face: combating pigmentation with laser techniques
There are precedents when no method works. Then the laser comes to the rescue. At the same time, the rays do not damage the epidermis, have no side effects, act exclusively on melanin and do not affect the cells surrounding it, and after treatment the body quickly returns to normal.
The mechanism of action is not very complicated. It breaks the dyed fabric into tiny fractions, and then “knocks” them out onto the surface. Some is excreted naturally through lymph circulation, and the rest can be easily removed in any other way.
Cryotherapy
The affected areas are exposed to extreme cold using liquid nitrogen. Most often this is done using a special point sprayer, but sometimes even a cotton swab is used. The treated area is frozen, and after a few days it is completely peeled off.
Ozone therapy
The active oxygen isomer “can” significantly reduce and even eliminate the effect of fungi and viruses, accelerates metabolic processes, and has a positive effect on the regeneration of integuments and their rejuvenation. It is also used to eliminate various types of skin defects.
How to remove pigmentation on the face at home using cosmetics
If the spots are not intense and do not occupy large areas, you can make them lighter yourself. Pharmaceutical products and skincare products are suitable for this:
- Hydroquinone, lavender oil, hydrogen peroxide, and resorcinol have an exfoliating and keratolytic effect.
- Weak fruit acids, which can be used at home, work well to whiten stains. This is citric, ascorbic, and lactic acid of low concentration. These products are also suitable for preparing for salon chemical peels.
- Lightening cosmetic compositions marked Anti-Pigment. Creams, lotions and serums containing azelaine, kojic acid, vitamin C.
Any product can be used only after testing for possible allergies. If the body accepts the composition calmly, without a negative reaction, you can begin the procedures according to the instructions for the drug.
Diagnostics
There is a huge variety of modern equipment that can be used to diagnose the nature of dark areas. In any case, you will have to pass all the necessary tests. What may be required:
- blood test (general and biochemistry);
- biopsy;
- Wood's lamp examination;
- scraping
Sometimes, after preliminary tests, the dermatologist or therapist refers you to other specialists. You should worry if the color suddenly changes, the darkening increases, itching, burning, bleeding appears, the boundaries become fuzzy and blurred. It is especially important to carry out all the research if you intend to get rid of age spots on the face that are flaking, because this may indicate an inflammatory process or transformation.
Is it possible to remove age spots on the face using folk remedies?
If the pigmentation is severe, only a professional cosmetologist will help you get rid of it. Small, dim spots and freckles can be easily lightened with the help of components that are always on hand:
- lemon;
- parsley extract;
- cottage cheese, whey and yogurt;
- cucumber;
- potato;
- buckwheat and oat flour;
- Apple vinegar;
- aloe vera;
- cosmetic clay;
- milk;
- strong infusion of green tea;
- licorice extract, orchid extract and so on.
The components can be mixed, pharmaceuticals and vitamins can be added. After the whitening procedure, it is imperative to take care of moisturizing and softening the skin.
Localization of spots
They can have different sizes, both with clear contours and blurry ones, merge together or not grow at all. Depending on the differential diagnosis and the type of hypermelanosis, they can be located both in certain areas and without specific boundaries, covering absolutely any area of the body.
On the face
One of the most common sites of localization of many hyperpigmentations. This is due to the fact that the skin here is thin enough so that negative factors can attack them faster. Among the common phenomena are freckles, which can decorate the face all year round and also appear and disappear after exposure to the sun. They are also localized over the entire surface or located pointwise in the area of the cheeks, eyes, and forehead.
Anti-age drugs
Bb Laboratories – Delicate oil for deep cleansing
Laennec – solution for injection
Bb Laboratories – Two-phase serum concentrate
Two-phase placental serum concentrate
On the body
Namely on the arms, shoulders, chest, back, groin area. For each individual disease, there are areas where pigment accumulation is observed. For example, senile hyperpigmentation is typically located on the hands, forearms, and upper back.
How to prevent the appearance of age spots?
If the cause of pigmentation does not lie in a hereditary factor, a cosmetic defect can be avoided. Preventive measures:
- do not develop diseases of internal organs - be sure to undergo routine examinations with doctors twice a year;
- do not get carried away with tanning - both in the sun and in the solarium;
- take care of skin protection - go outside in winter, after applying cream with SPF 30, in summer the indicator should be 50;
- choose wisely skincare products to maintain a beautiful and even skin tone;
- maintain a drinking regime - do not let the skin dry out;
- monitor hygiene, prevent the development of acne and the formation of comedones;
- control hormonal levels.
It is also important to take care of prevention long before the period of wilting. The sooner sufficient attention is paid to care and protection, the later the skin will undergo age-related changes. Pigment spots are a phenomenon that can and should be combated. Don’t give up if home treatments don’t bring results; you can always turn to a cosmetologist for help.
Prevention
The first and main preventive measure is proper protection from the harmful effects of direct sunlight. It is worth remembering that you can safely stay under ultraviolet light for no more than 10-15 minutes, after which the risk of getting a burn increases significantly. You should always apply sunscreen to prevent problems.
The second thing that should not be forgotten is regular health checks. Don’t be afraid to visit a doctor, get tested and find out your current condition. After all, it is much easier to prevent a problem than to deal with it later. It won’t hurt to change your clothes to natural ones, throw out chafing and tight things, and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Cosmetology procedures
You can quickly and effectively remove age spots on your hands in a beauty salon. Cosmetologists do this in several ways.
Here are the most popular of them:
- Laser whitening is recognized as a safe, low-traumatic method of therapy. The beam specifically “burns out” the pigmented layer of the epidermis, and healthy skin of an even shade is formed in its place. Neighboring tissues are not damaged. Several sessions are required to achieve a lasting result, but after the first the marks become significantly lighter;
- Chemical peeling involves exfoliating the surface using a special acid-based composition. The procedures vary in depth of impact. With the help of deep peeling, even dark old spots can be eliminated, but its use is permissible only for medical reasons. This method is not suitable for people with sensitive skin;
- cryotherapy is a procedure for “freezing out” the problematic epidermis with liquid nitrogen. Under the influence of ultra-low temperatures, the top layer of integument dies and is renewed. The disadvantages of the procedure are the duration of the course, complications are possible in the form of loss of sensitivity of the treated area;
- ELOS is a type of laser therapy. At the first stage of manipulation, the deep layers of the dermis are exposed to infrared radiation, which increases the sensitivity of the fibers. On the second - a laser that destroys melanin;
- dermabrasion - grinding of hands with a special device with a rotating head. The skin is pre-treated with an abrasive compound. The procedure stimulates the synthesis of your own collagen, restoration processes are accelerated, pigment does not accumulate, and complexion is evened out.
Attention: all therapeutic measures must be carried out by a qualified cosmetologist in a specialized medical institution. Incorrect selection of substances or device settings can cause serious injury.
When pigmentation is provoked by diseases of internal organs or metabolic disorders, the use of pharmaceutical drugs is required.
Factors that provoke the occurrence of pigmentation
The main provocateur of pigmentation, among other disorders, is solar radiation . Under the influence of UV rays, the synthesis of melanocrine is induced - a hormone of the pituitary gland, which activates the work of pigment cells. The main contributing factors are:
- Genetic predisposition – dark skin color. People with genetically more melanocytes are more likely to develop pigmentation
- Hormonal disorders (pregnancy, endocrine diseases, taking hormonal drugs)
- Excess free radicals
The combination of an excessive amount of ultraviolet radiation with one of two predisposing factors equals the appearance of age spots.