Pimples, how they love revenge! You finally get rid of that pesky pimple, but then a red/brown spot remains! This week beauty expert Keshia tells us all about post- inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Dear pimples, if you are going to live on my face I’m going to need to see some rent
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation sounds worse than it actually is. The spot will eventually go away on its own. But that much patience? We don’t have that!
First, let’s take a look at where this discoloration comes from. On a daily basis, your skin is attacked multiple times and that can cause inflammation. To fight those inflammations, your body makes extra white blood cells that end up in your bloodstream. More blood is sent to the damaged, inflamed area, causing it to turn red.
Those extra white blood cells don’t come alone: they bring melanocytes. Melano- what? Melanocytes are the cells that make melanin. Melanin is the reason your skin gets a tan. Its job is to protect your skin from uv radiation. Yes, your tan skin in the summer? That one is proof that your skin has had to protect itself from many uv attacks. Melanin is also an antioxidant that protects against free radicals from the sun. So when inflammation occurs, your body likes to turn on melanin to help protect.
Now that we know that white blood cells and melanin are the causes of the dark spots we are left with after pimples, how do we get rid of them?
The answer?
We need to stimulate cell renewal (cell turnover). Pigment always goes to the top layer of skin. So, the faster new cells are created that push the old, damaged cells upward and cause them to die, the faster the dark pigment fades.
The best solution to stimulate that cell renewal?
Glycolic Acid: This is my favorite ingredient to speed up cell renewal and fade dark spots. Meanwhile, it also hydrates your skin! Win-win!
Vitamin C: Inhibits the production of pigment.
My favorite products are those of Germaine de Capuccini, including glycolic acid. Then the Glycocure Scrub and the Glycocure Booster are your friend! And that in combination with the Vitamin C Emulsion for combination skin and the Vitamin C day cream for dry skin and you are good to go!
Now we know where pesky dark spots come from and how to treat them. You’ll discover more beauty secrets and tips each week via Keshia’s column on Blogzine. See you next week!
