Are dark spots making your skin look uneven, splotchy, and dull? Are you tired of piling on extra concealer and makeup to cover up dark spots? Get to the source and address your dark spots with the right prevention and treatment protocol.
As an esthetician who treats dark spots on my clients everyday, these are the 4 steps I recommend to help my clients rid of (and prevent) dark spots for good.
Step 1. Sun Protection
To prevent current dark spots from darkening in color, put sunscreen on your skin daily. Not only do UV rays darken current spots on your skin, it also triggers new ones. Wearing sunscreen goes a long way in noticeably decreasing dark spots on your skin. When selecting sunscreen, remember to:
- Use an SPF of 30 or above.
- Get broad spectrum protection that protects from UVA/UVB rays.
- Apply it every morning, even on cloudy days.
- Reapply every 2 hours, especially if you’re outside for extended periods.
- Wear protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats for extra protection.
Step 2. Lighten Dark Spots
To treat current dark spots, get products with lightening ingredients into your skincare routine. This will help lighten existing dark spots so that you can start seeing them disappear. Look for products containing these key ingredients:
- Vitamin C: An antioxidant that brightens the skin and reduces pigmentation. I love Environ’s Intense C-Boost Mela-Even Cream. This is a special oil soluble vitamin C infused cream that helps to reclaim the appearance of younger, more healthy-looking luminous skin that has an even, radiant glow.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A promotes cell turnover and fade dark spots over time. Environ Vita-Peptide C-Quence Serums 1, 2, 3, 4 are a Vitamin A step-up system range that contains a powerful combination of ingredients that work in synergy to assist in: combating the visible signs of aging and creating the appearance of even, smoother and healthier looking skin.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): This combination exfoliates and removes pigmented cells. Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50 PIGM 400 is a vitamin-enriched exfoliating lotion that gently purifies, brightens, and fades out the appearance of pigmentation spots. This P50 is designed to brighten the skin and is recommended for any skin type.
Application Tips:
- Apply these treatments at night to avoid sun sensitivity.
- Start with lower concentrations to prevent irritation.
- Be consistent and patient; results may take several weeks.
Step 3. Chemical Peels For Deep Exfoliation
Chemical peels are a skin treatment performed by a licensed esthetician to reduce the appearance of dark spots by exfoliating the top layers of skin, revealing fresh, new skin underneath.
Chemical peels effectively treat aging, hyperpigmentation, melasma, sun damage, uneven skin tone, texture, fine lines, wrinkles, acne, enlarged pores, and acne scars. They are safe to use on all skin types and ethnicities as well as on sensitive areas like the eyes, neck, chest, and hands.
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BioRePeel: An innovative, biphasic, mixed peel. Ideal for dull, acne prone skins as well as for sun damaged and aging skin. BioRePeel improves the skin surface, imperfections, and accelerates cell turnover.
- VI Peel: An advanced, non-invasive, pain-free chemical peel procedure. VI does not require special preconditioning or skin preparations prior to the treatment. VI Peel removes imperfections and supports your skin's natural ability to heal itself.
Step 4. Maintenance and Prevention.
A good at-home skin routine to maintain your results and prevent new dark spots is probably the most important step to keep dark spots at bay.
Here are my favorite skincare products I use and recommend to my clients to build an effective dark spot treatment routine.
- Biologique Recherche Sérum PIGM 400: Specially formulated to prevent dark spots from appearing, PIGM 400 reduces the appearance of existing pigmentation marks, and brightens and even out the complexion.
- Biologique Recherche ISO-Placenta: ISO-Placenta’s unique formula contains an active ingredient, the Biomimetic placenta, which mimics the composition of human placenta to provide the skin with all the elements it needs to regenerate. Best for post acne pigmentation (PIHP post inflammatory hyperpigmentation).
- Environ Tri-Peptide Complex Avance Elixir: Avance Elixir is a multifunction serum that contains powerful ingredient combinations that results in skin looking radiantly even and luminous, as well as resiliently younger for longer.
- Biologique Recherche Crème Aux Acides De Fruits: A true perfecting cream, Crème aux Acides de Fruits contains all the essential elements needed to gently exfoliate, smooth and refine skin texture. Contains mild fruit acids to help brighten pigmented skin or remove traces of acne scarring by gently exfoliating the skin.
Want a skincare lineup customized to your skin’s specific needs and issue areas? Sign up for a virtual consultation and receive a curated lineup by Anna Babayan, an expert esthetician.
