Kisses of the sun
The culprits of the appearance of dark spots on the face and body are many, but they are all united by melanin, a pigment staining, more precisely - its enhanced production in a certain area of the skin. By and large, pigmentation is a protective reaction of the skin to excessive insolation (irradiation with sunlight). Under the influence of active sunlight, melanin particles collect on the surface of epidermal cells and cover their nuclei. So they protect DNA from mutations.
The most harmless variety of freckles and other pigmented spots are touching specks, scientifically called ephelids. Most often it is a gift from parents. In some they appear with the first spring sun and closer to the autumn gradually turn pale, while others do not leave the year round. And they are more likely to settle on the skin of fair-skinned and red-haired people. By the way, it is such gentle creatures that suffer the worst from the sun and often burn, which is why the probability of freckles is quite high. However, after 30 years of freckles and may completely disappear.
Less aesthetic sun signs are actually pigment spots (chloasma). It is necessary to go out under the scorching rays, having previously used the perfume or smeared with essential oil, and the treacherous marks already appear on the skin. Alcohol-containing products, cosmetics with a high concentration of retinol or citrus oils, as well as anti-aging creams in combination with ultraviolet can cause blotchiness. To her leads and excessive care about their appearance. For example, making in all respects useful manipulations (chemical or laser peeling, microdermabrasion), but without taking care of the photoprotection from freckles and other pigment spots, injured skin from the sun, it is easy to acquire a scattering of pigment spots. Therefore, laser procedures should be performed only after having sustained a gap of at least four weeks before and after active sunbathing. And staying in the sun is considered not only sunbathing, but also an innocuous rest on a picnic or walks in the fresh air.
View from the inside
External pigments do not always cause pigmentation. It happens that the spots are signals of a malfunction of the body. And by their location, we can assume which body is "naughty." Did they settle on the side of their cheeks and cheekbones? It is worth checking the hormonal background - especially in premenopausal women. If the pigmentation has decorated the cheeks, you need to turn to the gastroenterologist to check the liver and biliary tract. Are the spots above the upper lip? A possible cause is taking hormonal drugs.
If the entire face is marked, pay attention to the adrenal glands. Pigmentation can be caused by disorders in the thyroid gland, inflammation of the pelvic organs, the presence of helminths and even stress. Future moms are also familiar with age spots - this is associated with hormonal changes in the body and excessive workload on all organs. But this is temporary - the spots brighten and disappear when the first menstrual periods appear after the birth and stabilize the hormonal background. Often, pigmentation is a sign of a violation of the metabolism of vitamin C: either the "substance of life" does not arrive in the right amount, or is not digested due to problems with the liver and intestines. Admission of hormones, treatment with antibiotics and sulfanilamide drugs can also turn into a scattering of spots. However, pigmentation is not only a signal of illness, but also its aftermath. It sometimes occurs after the treatment of eczema, red flat lichen, acne, psoriasis.
All stain removers
Even the skin color is quite possible. First, you need to determine the cause - if it is internal, then you need to undergo a course of treatment, after which the spots will disappear along with the disease. The same applies to taking medications: finished the course - the spots turned pale. If pigmentation appeared under the action of external stimuli, then cosmetic surgery will help to eliminate them. Today at the disposal of specialists in beauty is a vast arsenal of means for obtaining clean skin.
Of the salon methods are effective dermabrasion and a variety of pilling - mechanical or chemical (for example, glycolic, trichloroacetic, fruit acids - wine, milk). For mature skin, retinoids will do - they not only whiten the skin well, but also moisturize, strengthen and smooth them, stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, and prevent aging.
A good whitening effect is provided by: massage with liquid nitrogen, electroplating, ultrasound and mesotherapy with special cosmetic means. The cosmetologist can recommend cosmetics containing arbutin, koyeva and azelaic acid, vitamin C, an extract of the embryo. Before deciding on this or that procedure, it is necessary to take into account the most important points: the bleaching program should be selected by a specialist, taking into account the individual characteristics of the skin. In addition, having decided to return the skin to whiteness, take a look at the calendar. Such intensive procedures can be carried out only in the autumn and winter, when the sun is not too active. After all, bleaching agents contain acids, which slightly, but still injure the skin. Therefore, additional exposure to sunlight can only aggravate the problem of pigmentation. If at the height of the winter, whilst undergoing a whitening course, you want to go to warm regions or to a ski resort, you will have to stock up a wide-brimmed hat (complete with a ski suit ) and a sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 50.
As for home care , then you need to act in a complex, not forgetting about prevention.
The first thing to remember for people prone to hyperpigmentation, freckles and other pigmented spots: their sensitive skin does not tolerate the sun and needs year-round protection. Therefore, try to accustom the epidermis to insolation with the help of a solarium - it will not be able to get used, but it will suffer considerably. It is better to follow the long-known precautions: in the active sun to appear until 11:00 and after 17:00, to protect the skin all year round with the help of photoprotective cosmetics. SPF-factor should be selected depending on the skin type and conditions: if you rather burn, but do not sunbathe, but want to luxuriate on the beach, and even in the vicinity of the equator, then a cream with protection from 50 and above will do.
But in the winter in the city and cope with SPF 8-15. If you are well tolerated by the sun and are not familiar with burns, then the photoprotective factor may be lower. In the fight against hyperpigmentation, toning means, specially created for the skin prone to hyperpigmentation, also help out. They even out her tone, hide the spots and protect from the sun. In addition, with long-term use, such creams brighten the existing spots and prevent the appearance of new ones.
The skin can also be helped from the inside. First of all, try to replenish the menu with foods high in vitamin C (citrus, sauerkraut and Brussels sprouts, sweet pepper, black currant, raspberries) and PP (meat, liver, eggs, milk, legumes, cereals). These vita components weaken the sensitivity of the skin to the sun's rays. For the same purpose, you can take drugs that inhibit the production of melanin. And an indispensable daily care! Place on the dressing table a series of whitening cosmetics for thorough face care: cleansing, toning, moisturizing and nourishing. Such a means, as a rule, has the whitening effect, which is provided by fruit acids (in less concentration than in professional creams), vitamin C, extracts of chamomile, lemon, grapefruit, parsley, aloe, mulberry. But - attention! - to them, as well as to professional care, you can apply only from November to March. As for the grandmother's methods like cucumber masks and parsley juice, they are not very effective, sometimes even dangerous. Many plant substances can cause allergies, and it is not known where cucumbers and strawberries were grown. It is possible that instead of bleaching the skin will receive only a portion of nitrates and allergic dermatitis.
I go to the gym regularly, I have a great figure. And the face does not please - wrinkles appeared, the skin became flabby, dull. I've heard about creams that can activate the work of restorative genes in the skin. Can I use them to get rid of wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, improve complexion?
Indeed , scientific research in the field of dermatology, which was conducted by the laboratories of well-known cosmetology concerns, allowed us to decipher the "secrets of youth" of the skin. Leading world scientists offer active ingredients for cosmetic creams. A unique series of cosmetics is the "Youth Code" from L'Oreal Paris. In the course of experimental studies, her specialists isolated from bifidobacteria biolizate - a unique element that can affect the viability of cells of the surface layers of the skin, retain moisture, protect against the aggressive effects of the external environment. Pro-gene's proprietary technology has proven properties that improve the barrier functions of the skin, activate certain types of keratin of skin. As a result, the skin is renewed and rejuvenated, the degree of severity of its age-related changes decreases. Less wrinkles become, flabbiness and dullness disappear. The skin acquires elasticity and a beautiful shade. Given the special properties of the cosmetic line "Youth Code" (day cream, eye cream, rejuvenating concentrate), you can begin using it from the age of 30.
Sometimes white dashes appear on my fingernails. How to deal with them?
Changes in the color of the nail plate in the form of white streaks or white spots are called leuconichia. Most often they arise due to a violation of nourishment of the nail. Such failures, as a rule, are due to intoxication of the body or diseases of the liver, pancreas, intestine. Often, dysbiosis (dysbacteriosis) of the intestine leads to a violation of the digestibility of proteins and microelements. It also affects the changes in the nail plate. But it can be a manifestation of onychomycosis - infectious nail damage.
To restore the nail plate will help a complex of vitamins with microelements and amino acids, as well as rational external care. However, first you need to see a dermatologist.
I have a combined skin of the face, on it appear small pustular rashes. Six months I took antiandrogenic hormones in connection with polycystosis and hirsutism. During this time, the face cleared. But when I stopped taking medication, the rashes resumed.
How do I care for my skin? If after six months of taking antiandrogenic preparations the combined problem skin is preserved, then hyperandrogenia (elevated level of male sex hormones) has not yet been cured. It is the cause of dermatological disruptions. Such a disorder can also occur due to disorders in the work of the liver, other internal organs. Therefore, a consultation with a gynecologist-endocrinologist is absolutely necessary. With cosmetic care, it is worth using lines marked "for problem oily skin", products containing fruit acids, or alpha hydroxy acids. It is necessary to periodically make surface chemical peels.
Tell me, please, how to get rid of swelling under the eyes?
The cause of edema under the eyes can be kidney disease, hormonal disorders and improper drinking regimen. And also - features of the constitutional structure of this part of the face. First of all, you need to contact the therapist to find out if there are any abnormalities inside the body. Then use special products of medical cosmetic lines with the labeling: "from dark circles under the eyes", "from swelling under the eyes." A unique cosmetic novelty that can solve this problem can be a cream for the eye area "Youth Code" from L'Oreal Paris. And I do not recommend folk remedies - they can dry the delicate skin under the eyes and accelerate the formation of early wrinkles.