Tag: hyperpigmentation

Skin Discoloration During And After Menopause

Hyperpigmentation is a harmless but common skin condition that is characterized by darker patches. Usually, parts of the skin appear darker than the standard color of the surrounding skin. It occurs when melanocytes become overactive. Melanocytes are skin cells that are responsible for the production of melanin. When melanocytes become overactive, they end up producing high amounts of melanin and result in darker skin patches. Note that skin discoloration can affect people of all ages. However, it’s more prevalent in women who are in menopause and those in post-menopause.

Types of Skin Discoloration

There are multiple types of hyperpigmentation, and they are usually categorized depending on the cause. The three common categories include:

Melasma

This hyperpigmentation is also known as chloasma. Melasma usually affects pregnant women. It’s also prevalent in women who are using birth control pills. Large patches of darkened skin characterize this type of hyperpigmentation and they usually appear on the face, stomach, and forehead.

Acne and Injury

Acne and injuries are common causes of skin pigmentation. They cause skin blemished and leave marks on the skin. Injuries such as scrapes, burns, and cuts also cause skin discoloration, and they are sometimes known as the post-inflammatory type of hyperpigmentation.

Sun Spots

They are also referred to as age spots or sometimes liver spots. Sunspots are the most common forms of hyperpigmentation. Small patches of dark spots characterize them. They usually affect the face, arms, hands, and neck.

Additionally, they also affect other areas that are regularly exposed to sun rays. They commonly appear in older adults. Besides that, they may occur after prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Aging and the Skin

Aging is a process that naturally occurs. It involves two methods, which include changes in the setup of genetics. Besides that, it also involves changes caused by a negative environment. One of the body parts, which is generally affected by aging, is the skin. This external body organ is affected by hormonal and endogenous factors.

So, once a person starts to age, they begin to experience excessive skin dryness. Additionally, the skin layer starts to thin. Well, this is due to issues such as low production of collagen and loss of elasticin fiber. Besides that, the production of sebum is usually low. Other changes include an increase in the rate of perspiration, especially in menopausal women.

Changes in hormonal concentration may also cause menopause skin discoloration. During the menopausal transition, the skin significantly worsens because of the low production of female hormones. Generally, the skin changes considerably in adults. So, this means that their skin requires special care and treatment. This may involve lifestyle changes, the use of cosmetic products, or medical treatment options. A holistic approach is also right. This is because it’s safe and natural. Holistic techniques may make it possible for the skin to attain increased thickness and reduce fine wrinkles.

Skin Discoloration During and After Menopause

Women are heavily invested in their physical appearance. That’s why the onset of menopause usually results in lots of emotional turmoil. There is hair loss, development of fine wrinkles, loose skin, hot flushes, and other side effects. Overall, menopause results in significant physical changes.
During and post-menopause, some women may even end up experiencing pronounced skin pigmentation. This condition is also called melasma when it affects the face. The modeled type of pigmentation affects the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip typically.

Menopausal and post-menopausal skin changes are inevitable. Any woman at this stage in life is bound to experience drastic changes in terms of appearance. At the onset of menopause, the ovary normally stops producing female hormones. This means that many parts of the body, including the skin, will get affected.

The ovary is a crucial organ in a woman’s life. And once the production of the female hormone stops, menopausal skin discoloration starts. This skin complication can also be experienced post-menopause. Biologically, the ovary affects the production of estrogen. So, the lack of estrogen means that the receptors will be significantly affected. They include organs such as the brain, the reproductive organ, breasts, heart, urinary tract, and of course, the skin.

It’s worth noting the estrogen plays a crucial role in the reproductive system. This hormone is responsible for ovulation and implantation. In addition to that, it maintains the pregnancy, and it’s critical to breastfeeding.

Nature of the Skin

This is indeed the largest organ in the body. Generally, the skin acts as a protective barrier. It protects the internal organs from damage. It’s made of three layers which are:

The Epidermis

It’s the thin outer layer. The epidermis consists of three cells which are the squamous cells, basal cells, & melanocytes. Squamous cells are found in the outermost layer and they are usually shed continuously. Basal cells are located below the squamous cells, while the melanocytes are responsible for making melanin. It’s the high production of melanin, which usually leads to hyperpigmentation.

Dermis

It’s the middle skin layer, which consists of the blood vessels, sweat glands, nerves, lymph vessels, collagen bundles, and hair follicles. The dermis provides the skin with tensile strength. This is because it has connective tissues such as elastin and collagen. Besides that, it also contains receptors that feel touch and pain.

The Subcutaneous Fat Layer

It’s the deepest layer of the skin. This fat layer has an extensive network of fat cells and collagen. It’s responsible for protecting the body against injuries thanks to the fat, which acts as a shock absorber. Additionally, it helps to conserve heat in the body.
The overall nature of the skin is to act as a protector. It’s the primary barrier that protects the body against micro-organisms invasion, dehydration, and environmental pollution.

Common Causes of Hyperpigmentation during and After Menopause

Naturally, the way the skin functions changes with age. This is because its structure also changes due to hormonal factors. During and after menopause, the difference in metabolism and hormonal deficiency results in significant deterioration of the skin’s quality. The leading causes of hyperpigmentation during and after menopause are:

Hormone Fluctuations

During the young reproductive years, estrogen hormone keeps the skin healthy and supple. In addition to that, it also helps to regulate the male hormone. However, during these two phases in a woman’s life, the level of estrogen usually drops. The low production of estrogen leads to atrophy, a condition that is characterized by skin thinning. Besides that, it may lead to decreased production of sebaceous secretions and collagen production. Note that estrogen deficiency may also hasten the aging process of your skin. All these complications may result in skin discoloration.

Hormone and Stress

During menopause and post-menopause, the body changes, and most women are stressed. This may be caused by emotional, psychological, and physical changes. So, the body ends up producing high levels of cortisol, which helps to manage stress. A high level of cortisol in the body leads to estrogen imbalance, which leads to hyperpigmentation. So, avoiding stress is one of the key ways to prevent skin discoloration.

Sunlight Exposure

This is the most common cause of hyperpigmentation in older women. The skin usually thins during and after menopause. This means that it cannot adequately handle exposure to intense sun rays. Constant exposure to sunlight is also one of the main reasons why many women have recurrences of hyperpigmentation.

Understanding Hyperpigmentation During and After Menopause

Estrogen moderates the production of melanin. The hormone helps to balance the production of this skin pigment by keeping everything under control. But as menopause begins, the skin becomes sensitive. This is because of the low production of estrogen, which affects the production of collagen fiber and oil by the sebaceous glands.

So, when the skin gets exposed to the UV rays, a woman is more likely to experience brown and dark age spots. They are more prevalent in exposed areas such as the face, hands, chest, neck, and arms. The lack of sufficient estrogen production increases the synthesis of melanin as a counteractive effect. This is a protective type of response as the skin tries to protect the inner layers. Note that skin discoloration may also be accelerated by using tanning beds.

Most women entering their 40s and 50s will experience menopausal skin changes. New patches of dark pigmentation will start to appear on the skin. They are usually known as age or liver spots.

Managing Hyperpigmentation During and After Menopause

Menopause usually causes a significant shift in a woman’s life. It completely changes the way you appear. So, how do you manage hyperpigmentation during and after menopause? Well, the first step is by implementing dietary and lifestyle changes.

You can no longer eat junk, processed foods. Your diet needs to contain high amounts of vitamins such as B, E, and D. Besides that, you should take high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and proteins. These are important for the development of collagen and the regulation of hormones in the body. In addition to those, ensure that you drink lots of water. This is because menopause makes the skin thin and susceptible to dehydration.

Other lifestyle changes that you should implement includes getting enough sleep and avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol. Note that menopause comes with a lot of emotional changes. So, you may want to indulge in alcoholism to deal with these new changes. However, this will only make the condition of your skin worse. Besides that, avoid tobacco smoking and your exposure to second-hand smoke. All these will help to reduce your chances of developing hyperpigmentation.

Note that lack of sleep may also make your skin weak. So, make sure that you get at least 8 hours of sleep. To improve your skin’s elasticity, opt for cold showers. They increase the flow of blood under the skin. Besides that, they help to minimize hot flushes, which are common during menopause.

Conventional Treatment of Hyperpigmentation During and After Menopause

There are various multiple treatment alternatives to address hyperpigmentation. Menopausal and post-menopausal women are prone to this condition because the skin is weak at this point. Additionally, their bodies don’t produce the desired amount of estrogen, which regulates various functions of the skin. Some of the conventional treatment options include:

Contraceptive Pills

There are contraceptive pills which help to treat various skin problems. Contraceptives which contain drospirenone can help to suppress the level of male hormone in the body. This is particularly beneficial in women who are transitioning to menopause. These drugs help to increase the production of collagen, restore the moisture content in the skin, and increase the skin’s thickness. Note that the enhanced estrogen production can also reduce fine lines and wrinkles, which is prevalent post-menopause.

General Menopause and Post-Menopause Skin Care Tips and Techniques

• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol excessively: Alcohol and tobacco can significantly affect your skin’s appearance.

• Avoid stress: although menopause comes with lots of emotional changes, ensure that you avoid stress at all costs. A high level of stress can decrease the level of estrogen further and your skin discoloration may even get worse.

• Engage in facial exercises: These are activities which help to exercise your facial muscles.

• Change your diet: Eat more fruits and vegetables. They contain fiber and protein which help to nourish the skin.

On the other hand, avoid processed foods and those with high sugar content. Besides that, ensure that you drink water frequently on a daily basis.

• Limit your skin’s exposure to sunlight: Although your skin needs vitamin D, limit your exposure to sunlight. If you want to bask, do so early in the morning or late in the evening.

Additionally, make sure that you use an SPF day cream whenever you are going out.

• Take supplements: note that menopausal skin is usually dry because of lack of nutrients and oil. So, take supplements which have high amounts of omega 3 and 6. They help to increase the production of collagen and regulate hormonal production. All these have significant effects on the pigmentation of the skin.

• Avoid showering with hot water and harsh cleansers: hot water will strip your skin of natural oils. So, use warm water and a mild cleanser to wash your skin. It’s also important to not shower more than two times a day.

• Use moisturizer and gentle serum: moisturizing the skin helps to keep it hydrated. It also helps to slow down the effects of aging. Besides that, use serums that have beta hydroxyl acids. This is because they help to brighten the skin without aggressiveness. Besides that, they promote the production of collagen.

Conclusion

Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition which women in and post-menopause commonly experience. The hormonal changes usually make the skin lose its elasticity. Besides that, the production of melanin is ordinarily low. Although this is a harmless skin condition, the undesirable patches may make women lose their self-confidence. Note that during and after menopause, women naturally undergo a lot of physical changes. So, the presence of a hyper-pigmented skin can wreck their esteem even further.

However, it’s possible to deal with this skin condition and minimize its effects. The best and first treatment option for skin discoloration is prevention. Avoid overexposing your skin to sunlight. If you must go out, wear sunscreen. Besides that, it’s also vital to implement new lifestyle changes. Eat healthy meals, avoid processed foods, and drink lots of water.

Additionally, make sure that you work out and get enough sleep. In case your hyperpigmentation is severe, you can choose to seek medical attention. Your doctor will sample your skin, and after that, recommend the best type of treatment.

Astaxanthin: The Powerful Skin Care Antioxidant You’ve Never Heard About

In this article, you will learn about Astaxanthin (pronounced “asta-ZAN-thin”), one of the most exciting skincare solutions, and how it can keep your skin looking young and wrinkle-free.

6000x Stronger Than Vitamin C

Astaxanthin is one of the most potent antioxidants found in nature, with many benefits for your health, such as diminishing wrinkles and easing inflammation. This study found astaxanthin was 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C, 800 times stronger than CoQ10, 550 times stronger than green tea catechins, and 75 times stronger than alpha-lipoic acid.

Bright red pigment

Often nicknamed the “king of carotenoids,” Astaxanthin is a bright red pigment that occurs naturally in green algae as well as certain seafood such as shrimp, krill, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, and trout.

Astaxanthin is the pigment that gives seafood like lobster and crab that characteristic red hue or that perfect pink color you see on fresh wild-caught salmon.

After years of studies, scientists proved that Astaxanthin could treat certain skin conditions and improve the skin’s overall appearance. As you age, this can be an excellent supplement to your diet and skincare routine to keep your skin looking young, wrinkle-free, and perfectly moisturized.

Why Astaxanthin is right for your skin

As mentioned above, Astaxanthin benefits the skin in many ways. Think of it as a magic elixir that slows down or even reverses your skin’s aging process. If you add a dose of Astaxanthin to your daily routine, you can expect various skin benefits in as little as eight weeks. Some of them include;

1. Astaxanthin and Skincare

Studies show that combining topical application and oral supplementation of Astaxanthin has many skincare benefits. It helps reduce wrinkles and age spots and improves skin elasticity. Astaxanthin also protects your skin against UV-induced deterioration, keeping it healthy. For the best results, you should use Astaxanthin combined with an excellent natural skincare routine, together with other powerful ingredients like Shea butter, tea tree oil, and apple cider vinegar.

2. Astaxanthin for Skin Pigmentation

Age spots and skin pigmentation are common skin problems that affect people as they grow older. While it is not painful, the appearance of dark spots on your skin makes you age quicker and can deal a massive blow to your confidence, especially if they appear on your face. According to studies, Astaxanthin can help suppress hyperpigmentation keeping your skin clear and free from any age or dark spots.

3. Astaxanthin and Sun Damage

Excessive exposure to the sun can lead to various skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation, low skin moisture, and wrinkle formation. Luckily, Astaxanthin can prevent most of these conditions.

When you consume Astaxanthin as a daily supplement, your skin becomes more resistant to turning pink due to the sun’s rays. Astaxanthin acts like an inside-out sunscreen that protects your skin from sunburns or sun damage. Astaxanthin was also proven to prevent collagen breakdown from UV light and skin tumors in animal test subjects.

4. Astaxanthin and Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a chronically relapsing skin disease that is caused by oxidative stress. Dry, red, and itchy skin is visible in dermatitis in its early stages and painful cracks, crusty scales, and blisters in the later stages. Being a powerful antioxidant that Astaxanthin can help prevent oxidative stress, which improves the symptoms of dermatitis.

Astaxanthin has also been proven to help relieve psoriasis due to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

How is Astaxanthin taken?

To maximize your Astaxanthin intake, you are recommended to get your daily dosage by incorporating whole food sources of Astaxanthin in your diet, including:

  • krill
  • wild-caught sockeye salmon
  • red trout, lobster
  • crawfish
  • crab, shrimp
  • red seabream
  • salmon roe

Not a fan of seafood?

 

bioastin hawaiian astaxanthin
Bioastin Hawaiian Astaxanthin is a well-known brand of natural astaxanthin, which we recommend as a supplement.

No problem! Astaxanthin is available in supplement forms such as;

a) Krill oil – this is usually marketed as a source of omega-3, but it also contains Astaxanthin, so that you will be getting two for one.

b) Astaxanthin Tablets – Astaxanthin is carefully extracted from algae and converted into a tablet. A suggested brand is Bioastin Hawaiian Astaxanthin.

c) Carotenoid complexes – Astaxanthin is mixed with other powerful carotenoids to form a potent antioxidant punch.

Buy Natural Astaxanthin

When buying Astaxanthin, try and buy a brand such as Bioastin Hawaiian Astaxanthin that uses natural Astaxanthin instead of synthetic Astaxanthin. Please note that due to it containing gelatine, Astin Hawaiian Astaxanthin is not currently Kosher.

Natural is better because, according to research, natural Astaxanthin is 20 times more effective than synthetic Astaxanthin and also a lot better for your skin.

Pomegranate Helps Fade Age Spots

The medicinal use of pomegranate can be traced back to the ancient times when it was used to heal everything from poor circulation, infections, and diarrhea, to fertility, arthritis, and wound
healing. We are just discovering what our ancestors knew about the restorative benefits of this fruit on our bodies, but let’s talk about pomegranate’s beneficial effects for our skin.

Pomegranate Packs a Punch in Skin Nutrition

It’s a tidy little package for skin wellness that you can ingest or use the seeds, the flesh, and even the rind, to promote skin health.

There are over a hundred phytonutrients in pomegranate. That’s three times more antioxidant benefit than in green tea or red wine!  The incredible amount of phytonutrients found in pomegranate play a key role in providing health benefits for skin and the body and make it a great choice to add to your diet or skin care routine..

Pomegranate Has A Restorative Effect on UVA Damage

A study published in April 2007 in the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology, showed that pomegranate fruit extract possesses powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which have a restorative effect on UVA caused cellular damages. The study went on to say that pomegranate “merits further evaluation as a photochemopreventative agent.”

UV radiation cause many skin conditions like hyperpigmentation or age spots, wrinkles, and sagging skin.

Anti Inflammatory Properties

Pomegranate is helpful in restoring the skin from sun damage because of the anti-inflammatory properties it contains that help generate new tissue to promote and expedite healing and the reduction of damage and scars.

Pomegranate Helps Diminish Hyperpigmentation

Study of pomegranate’s healing effect on hyperpigmentation is still in its infancy, but studies are increasingly showing that pomegranate has a healing effect on ultraviolet induced melanin synthesis leading to hyperpigmentation. Three studies are included below.

  • A study published online in June 2012 in the journal Fitoterapia demonstrated that Siberian larch extract and pomegranate fruit extract, which each separately inhibit the expression of genes that regulate the melanin producing cells, worked synergistically when combined. When these extracts were used together in a 1:1 ratio, researchers found that the reduction of melanin pigment production was double that of the Siberian larch extract or pomegranate extract alone. The study also showed that the combination had no effect on cell viability.
  • Another study published in Fitoterapia, in June 2014 showed that pomegranate fruit extract combined with Chia seed extract worked synergistically to inhibit melanin biosynthesis that was better than chia seed alone.
  • In the journal Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, a study was published online in May 2014, that tested the effect of pomegranate extract on ultraviolet-induced pigmentation. The results of this study suggest that the pomegranate, when taken by mouth, is an effective skin-whitening agent.

Eat It Or Apply To Your Skin?

Apply directly to skin: You can apply pomegranate oil directly to the skin irritations and scars to help them heal faster. Look for unrefined  or virgin cold press oil. It retains the most beneficial phytoactive compounds, without all of the chemicals.

Ear or drink it You  eat a pomegranate and drink its juice to experience the beneficial healing effects from inside.

Supplements: Since obtaining pomegranates is not always possible, you can still reap the benefits through supplementation

The Vitamins & Minerals In Poms

Pomegranate is also a rich source of vitamins and minerals that benefit our skin but Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E are the most prominent vitamins it contains.

Vitamin C

  • helps stabilize and create collagen which reverses fine lines and wrinkles
  • Is an anti-inflammatory  which aids the skin in healing, diminishing blemishes and age spots.

Vitamin K

  • works to heal wounds by producing new skin cells
  • protects and maintains the collagen in the skin
  • reduces visible signs of aging and acne scarring.

Pomegranate seeds

  • protect the outer layers of the skin and aid in the regeneration of the cells.

Vitamin E

  • reduces UV damage
  • maintains the health of the skin
  • used topically, speeds healing by reducing scavenging free radicals.
  • protects against sun damage
  • diminishes signs of aging skin.

Minerals

Other ways to fade hyperpigmentation

If budget doesn’t permit you to try red light therapy, there are other creams that will hep fade age spots over time. The Tommy Timmy Intensive Skin Corrector is a solution for dark spots and age spots. We have found niacinamide to be particularly effective. It doesn’t dry out the skin and it works quickly. Check out our favorite age spot fading cream here. The good news is you can try it out for just $1, including shipping.

Can Red Light Therapy Fade Age Spots?

Red light therapy, or photobiomodulation, is a therapeutic technique. It uses low-level red wavelengths of light to treat many skin conditions including hyperpigmentation, and age spots. 

Red light is used increasingly to reverse signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. It also helps reduce scarring (like acne scars) because it promotes wound healing, tissue repair, and skin rejuvenation.

There are hundreds of well-conducted peer-reviewed clinical studies that show red and near-red wavelengths of light penetrate the skin. They cause a complex chemical chain reaction during cellular respiration, which increases ATP production in cells. ATP is the energy source in all our cells. An increase in ATP has an antioxidant effect at the cellular level that allows the skin to repair itself faster than usual.

Red Light Therapy Treatment helps:

  •  fade stretch marks and scars
  • speed up wound healing
  •  increase collagen production
  • smooth out the skin’s surface
  • reduce age spots 
  • make fine lines disappears

Red Light Therapy Is Safe

Red light therapy introduces no damage to the skin. Its non-invasive method only stimulates the regeneration of skin cells or causes secondary healing at a specific wavelength. Red light also helps promote the production of antioxidants, which help heal cells. It has no associated side effects or safety concerns and usually includes little to no downtime to reverse aging skin and fine lines on the face.

As our skin ages with us, it becomes thinner and loses its elasticity. Red light therapy protects existing collagen and elastin in the skin. It also restores the skin’s cellular function and stimulates our bodies to make more collagen and elastin. Its restorative and anti-aging effects have noticeable results for the skin.

Red light therapy is becoming increasingly common.

Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that mostly affects women and can be caused by several factors. Genetic predisposition, inflammation or damage, and hormonal changes all cause these spots to appear on our skin as we age. Still, most often, they are caused by photodamage from years of sun damage from ultraviolet exposure. 

The melanin in our skin can absorb a wide spectrum of light. It can take in amber light, blue light, green light, orange light, near-infrared light, and red light. These other bandwidths of light can help reduce hyperpigmentation for age spots, but they haven’t been as extensively studied as red light has. Red light penetrates the skin better.

Using red light treatment for age spots is as safe and effective as any other skin condition. Treatment can be challenging because age spots can fade after treatment, but they will come back when the skin is again exposed to sunlight.

Where can you get Red Light Therapy?

There are many options out there for red light therapy. You can visit a spa or tanning salon for a full-body light (not tanning) bed. It’s offered at gyms and athletic clubs, and there are even light therapy centers. But the best, least expensive way to experience red light therapy regularly is with a home device. 

A Home Device Is The Least Expensive Option

There are many choices from hand-held to whole-body light systems, and it depends upon the device and the condition you’re trying to treat, how long, and how often you should use your home red light therapy device.

To see results, you would start with four or five sessions per week. Each session would be five to fifteen minutes long of red light exposure treatments. Eventually, you get to the point of general maintenance, and then you would use the device three times a week.

If you only have age spots on your face, you can find a decent device for about $100. However, if you have hyperpigmentation or scarring on various parts of your body, you should opt for a larger machine so you can target your entire body in one go. These more powerful and larger machines start at about $450.

Buyer beware. Not all devices are created equal. A device you buy off eBay and that comes from China may or may not deliver the power of red lights that will make a marked difference. We recommend brands like Platinum LED and Red Therapy Co. 

Other health benefits

Some studies show red light also helps promote:

  • Reversing hair loss
  • Thyroid function
  • Skin conditions like wrinkles, psoriasis, eczema, and DSAP
  • Healing of joint pain
  • Reduction of inflammation

Other ways to fade hyperpigmentation

If your budget doesn’t permit you to try red light therapy, other creams will help fade age spots over time. 

The Tommy Timmy Intensive Skin Corrector is a solution for dark spots and age spots. It contains niacinamide, which we have found to be particularly effective. It doesn’t dry out the skin, and it works quickly. Check out our favorite age spot fading cream here. The good news is you can try it out for just $1, including shipping.