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Fade My Freckles!
Skin Discoloration Causes and Treatment
Freckles, age spots, pregnancy mask - these harmless skin
defects can be quite an annoying problem. We all want not only
silky smooth complexion, but an even and healthy skin tone as
well.
Freckles. Considered cute by some, they are a real problem for
others. Freckles, a.k.a. ephelides, are small brown or tan
patches common in individuals with lighter skin, blond or red
hair, and blue, green or grey eyes. They appear early in life,
increase in number during summer months and fade in winter.
After the age of 40-45 they disappear, but who wants to wait?
Another type of skin discoloration is pregnancy mask, otherwise
known as chloasma or melasma. It appears during pregnancy due
to hormonal changes. Women with darker skin are more likely to
develop this condition. After delivery, chloasma will fade,
however some traces may still remain. It can also occur in
women who are taking oral contraceptives.
Age spots - lentigines - are similar to freckles. They appear
later in life and can occur in any skin type.
The good news is: if you know why the discoloration occurs and
take measures to prevent and treat it, you can have an even
skin tone at any age.
Freckles, age spots and pregnancy mask have several things in
common. They are formed in sun exposed areas: face, hands,
chest and back. These unwelcome brown patches are nothing more
than accumulation of skin pigment melanin which is always
produced by the skin. The amount of melanin present determines
the skin tone of an individual. Extra melanin is produced by
the body in response to sun exposure: it absorbs UV rays and
does not allow them to penetrate deep into the skin layers as
it would be damaging.
If you want to avoid skin discoloration, the first and the most
important thing you need to do is to avoid sun exposure and
wear sunscreen. This way your body will not need to produce
more melanin.
Since melanin is accumulated in the upper layer of the skin,
you might want to consider skin lightening and peeling. There
are different products that can be used for this purpose:
-- Hydroquinone has been a very popular treatment, however it
can irritate the skin.
-- Kojic acid, discovered in Japan in 1989, is a natural
product derived from fungi (mushroom). It is gentle on the skin
and very effective in treating skin discoloration. Penetrating
upper skin layers, it inhibits the formation of the pigment.
-- Alpha-hydroxy acids help to shed old cells faster, therefore
they will be helpful as well. By removing the outer skin cells,
which are usually darker, you will make your freckles or age
spots lighter and less visible.
If you decide to use any of the above products, extra sun
protection is imperative. If necessary, apply an SPF cream
several times a day. By using skin lighteners and peels, you
affect the upper darker layer. Lower layers are lighter, with
less melanin present. If you don't protect your skin, it will
launch its own defense mechanism producing more melanin. This
will result in darker and more intensive discoloration, which
can be even harder to get rid of.
Please remember that skin discoloration (excluding pregnancy
mask, which should disappear after the delivery) require
consistent treatment. Once you stop using lighteners and
protection, the dark patches will be back. But keeping up with
your skin regiment is not difficult: all you need is a gentle
yet effective lightener and a moisturizer with complete UV
protection - against both UVB and UVA rays.
Natural remedies you can use:
-- Wash your face with sour milk. Lactic acid will provide
gentle peeling effect without irritating or drying your skin.
-- Lemon juice is a time proven freckle fighting remedy. It is
not necessary to rub your skin with a piece of lemon. Applying
the juice with your fingers will do the job.
-- Fruit and vegetable masks (apricots, strawberries,
cucumbers, red currant).
-- Sour cream mask. Do not rinse this mask completely, just
remove gently with a facial tissue, then apply a moisturizer.
For oily skin - use lemon juice before applying the mask.
-- Natural parsley juice (or parsley infusion) mixed with equal
amounts of lemon juice, orange juice, and red currant juice
under your favorite cream will help you keep your freckles
invisible.
Last but not least - increase your Vitamin C intake! It makes
your skin less sensitive to the sun. Foods rich in vitamin C
include citrus fruits, apples, green onions, black and red
currant, rosehip tea.
Please note that some types of skin discoloration are due to
internal disorders. Poor liver functioning, hormonal or
metabolism disorders, overactive thyroid can be the underlying
reasons for unsightly cosmetic problems. If this is the case,
start your treatment from the inside.
Note: Information in this article is not to be taken as a
medical advise. Always consult your doctor if you need
professional help.
(C) Natalie Katsman, 2003.
Learn skin care secrets, find out how to protect
your skin and preserve its youthful appearance.
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http://www.Natural-Aid.com
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