Pigmentation — it’s often the number one concern clients have about their skin. However, years of sun damage is unlikely to fade with a singular approach to skin care. It takes time and continuous effort to ensure you’re not only treating current spots, but also avoiding future discoloration. Although erasing all pigmentation may be a hard goal to achieve, you can start taking these steps to lighten discoloration for an overall improved tone.

1) First Thing’s First: Be Proactive

From sun exposure to inflammation, pigmentation is caused by a variety of reasons. If you have post-inflammatory marks created by acne, break the habit of picking cysts and pustules to prevent more marks. Instead, spot treat the area with a topical salicylic product, like SkinScript’s Blemish Spot Treatment.

Another way to be proactive is to always wear an SPF of at least 30. If you aren’t protecting your skin, you’re putting the areas that are already pigmented at risk of darkening even more. Direct sun exposure makes freckles and age spots more pronounced because the melanin in the skin absorbs the UV rays. For UV protection, we recommend Sorella Apothecary’s line of high quality SPFs.

2) Use Professional-Grade Products

Over-the-counter products may be affordable and easy to obtain, but your skin is not getting the best ingredients and benefits compared to professional skin care products. In our facials, we use products from SkinScript that deliver pigment fighting ingredients to your skin’s active melanocytes. For example, lactic, arbutin, and kojic acids in our Lemon Zest Enzyme work to brighten the skin for a radiant glow after a facial. For at-home care, we highly recommend using our Glycolic and Retinol Pads that resurface the skin and lighten existing pigmentation naturally.

3) Schedule a Series of Chemical Peels

Once you’ve kicked the bad skin habits and are using a professional skin care line, your skin is properly prepped for chemical peels. For maximum results, it is best to have peels done in a series in order to lift the pigmentation gradually over time. Our Oasis Series is a program we created to give clients a series of four chemical peels and one dermaplane facial in an 8-week period. See the results for yourself!

Need help with getting started? Schedule your first facial at The Village Spa in Carmel today! Call us at (317) 853-6350 or book online now.