How to Identify Skin Discoloration
2 common types of skin discoloration and how to treat them at home
Skin discoloration is a common condition with a variety of underlying causes. Discoloration is common, so we wanted to share some information about two common forms of skin discoloration and how to treat them.
Skin discoloration caused by Melasma
This type of skin discoloration typically appears as brown or grayish-brown blotches on the cheeks, chin, bridge of the nose and forehead. Melasma appears when pigment-producing cells become hyperactive and produce excess pigment in certain areas. Anyone can experience melasma, but this condition is more common among people with darker skin who tend to have more melanin. Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that usually has a more serious underlying issue.
What causes Melasma?
Melasma often accompanies a spike in hormones or hormonal imbalances which is why it is also very common in pregnant women, teens, and people with hormonal imbalances.
Sun exposure is a huge culprit in exacerbating Melasma. Extreme exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun can even trigger the manifestation of this condition if there are already pre-existing factors.
The first, and most important step in treating Melasma is to correctly diagnose the condition and it’s underlying cause with the help of a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. Your doctor may recommend changes in your medications like birth control or other hormonal replacement therapies, which can contribute to melasma. Once you have identified and began to treat the underlying causes of Melasma, you can begin working on healing your skin through a quality skincare regimen.
Melasma can also be an inherited condition. So unfortunately, you can be stuck with unfavorable genetics. If melasma runs in your family, you can take note and do your best to avoid triggers that might exacerbate the condition. Melasma is often caused by inflammation within the skin. Reducing inflammation to the skin with sun protection, a quality diet, adequate rest, and a high-quality anti-inflammatory skincare regimen can be very helpful.
How to treat Melasma at home:
1. Establish a great skin cleansing regimen.
Environmental stressors, like pollution, can increase the severity of Melasma so it’s important to thoroughly but gently cleanse your skin daily. AVYA’s Gentle Facial Cleanser is balanced with reparative, skin-soothing Ayurvedic botanicals like neem, peony, and turmeric to cleanse your skin while retaining moisture.
2. Follow your cleansing routine with a serum to help even out skin discoloration.
A few drops of a serum that contains Vitamin C or Vitamin E can help tone and brighten skin. A serum formulated with quality ingredients can help improve the tone and texture of the skin in areas where Melasma has created dark patches. Our Anti-Aging Power Serum with Vitamin C is clinically proven to help brighten skins’s overall appearance.
3. Use a quality moisturizer to assist in preventing further skin discoloration.
Keeping skin moisturized can help lessen the appearance of Melasma and provides a good base for the application of foundations or other makeup that may be used to cover affected areas of the skin. AVYA’s Day Moisturizer with sun protection is a great option to layer on before your makeup routine. Sun protection and hydration are important in preventing and healing dark patches left by Melasma.
Skin discoloration caused by Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is often referred to as “dark spots,” “brown spots,” or “dark marks.” This condition occurs when an inflammation of the skin or injury causes a build-up of pigmentation. It is characterized by flat tan, brown, or black marks on the skin that are not raised.
These marks can be caused by acne, inflammatory conditions like eczema or psoriasis, or some other kind of injury.
Unlike Melasma, the underlying cause of hyperpigmentation can usually be pinpointed. For instance, you may see a dark mark take the place of the pimple that recently settled down yesterday. As noted in Marie Claire, there are many ways to treat hyperpigmentation including lasers and other expensive dermatologic and clinical treatments in a doctor’s office. However, hyperpigmentation is treatable and it is possible, with consistency, to reverse in many cases with a quality skincare regimen.
How to get rid of hyperpigmentation at home:
The at-home regimen for hyperpigmentation is very similar to that of Melasma:
1. Keep a consistent, gentle cleansing regimen.
2. Use a serum with Vitamin C to help even skin tone.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is known for its brightening properties. At AVYA we incorporate ingredients like medical-grade Vitamin C and Ayurvedic botanicals like the goji berries found in our Eye Bright Cream that are powerful combatants to skin damaging, hyperpigmentation causing UVA/UVB rays and free radicals.
3. Apply Vitamin A to your skin to reduce and clear hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin A, also known as retinol, has the ability to exfoliate the cells that cause hyperpigmentation over time. We formulate our products with Microencapsulation technology that allows our ingredients to penetrate the skin and release at the most opportune time to promote cell regeneration. AVYA’s Night Moisturizer with Vitamin A is a rich cream formulated with our signature blend of skin-balancing botanicals to provide you with overnight hydration that also reduces hyperpigmentation and other signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
Acknowledge and honor your beauty.
While skin conditions like hyperpigmentation and melasma aren’t inherently painful, they can cause a lot of emotional distress for those who experience symptoms. If you are affected by the outward appearance of your skin, here are some steps that may help:
1. Acknowledge that there are solutions for correcting these issues.
It may take some time for your skin issues to clear, but it is possible and it can happen.
2. Take time to acknowledge wonderful things about yourself.
Identify internal aspects about yourself that you are proud of- such as your talents, your heart, your capacity for kindness and unique gifts that make you who you are. These gifts comprise your inner beauty.
3. Allow yourself to feel gratitude.
Open your heart to a feeling of gratitude for your inner beauty. Gratitude for our gifts and the love and kindness we can bring to the world is a key to achieving balance in our lives and joy in our spirit. A joyful spirit radiates beauty and light.
We at AVYA honor the inner spirit of every human being. You are beautiful because you are alive and you have inherent gifts that make you unique. Certainly our skin can glow, but true beauty lies within us all with the radiance of our spirit. We wish you all the best for a joyful and glowing 2021!