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How to Get Rid of Dark Spots

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Hyper pigmentation is the craziest thing, isn’t it? Sometimes it happens sometimes it goes away, sometimes it gets worse.  WTF.  Well, here at Ready for the Red Carpet we don’t have time to go through long frequent treatments   – there HAS to be an effective way to fade dark spots quickly and for good right?

In this article we’ll look into a product that claims to do just this AND we’ll get some advice from a doctor.  So, let’s start with science and turn this over to Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD of Beverly Hills.

Dr. Shainhouse (IG: @stayskinsafe) :  I would be happy to help … some tips

HYPERPIGMENTATION AND DARK SPOTS
• There are different types and causes of dark spots on the skin.
LENTIGINES

• Aka Solar Lentigines, Senile Lentigines, a.k.a. sun spots or age spots are just that. These are benign macules (flat spots) that develop mainly on sun-exposed skin. They do not occur in health children. Some people are more prone to developing these dark patches (lighter skin types, particularly those of Northern European descent, have a 90% chance of developing them by age 60). They tend to develop with age and or with chronic, unprotected sun exposure (beware of the ‘beautiful’ suntans of your 20s…). Unlike freckles, these spots can actually have a bit of texture to them.


• Their precise cause is not certain, but they are thought to be a UV-induced proliferation of keratinocytes (top layer of skin cells) and/or melanocytes (pigment-containing/producing cells). UVB is thought to increase expression of keratinocyte growth factor, which increases tyrosinase (the enzyme that makes pigment), and thus increases melanin production in the melanocytes, and that melanin gets transfer to the superficial skin cells (keratinocytes). This pigment is then retained within the skin cells, leaving pigmented patches.


MANAGEMENT OPTIONS:
* Note that all physical treatment options can cause skin dyspigmentation (darker or lighter), irritation or scarring, and that there is always a chance of recurrence.


• Cryotherapy – spraying liquid nitrogen on individual spots to frostbite the skin and encourage the dead skin to slough off. It can leave a blister or a permanent lighter spot in its place.


• Chemical peels – these can help to lift off the top layers of skin cells, and if the pigment is superficial enough, the spot can peel off.  Some peels are stronger and go deeper. Some peels can cause skin dyspigmentation or secondary post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones.


• Lasers – the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is the best and safest option to safely target superficial and deeper pigment in the skin. It offers quick, hot, specific pulses without burning surrounding skin. Fraxel lasers cause thermal damage to the skin, which results in layers peeling off over 1-3 weeks. Superficial pigmented spots tend to peel off with this sloughing and a single treatment can be sufficient for noticeable results. The IPL (intense pulsed light; not a true laser; aka the photo facial) is also helpful and best-suited for lighter skin tones. It may take multiple treatments for best results.


• Topical creams: hydroquinone can help fade superficial spots and prevent pigment formation, while topical retinoids can help to speed cell turnover and slowly slough off superficial dead, pigmented skin cells. These take months to show results. Peels and masks containing higher concentrations of these ingredients can help kick-start the process.



Thx Dr. Shainhouse! Now, about what we can do at home.   In fact, as I’m typing this, I’ve cracked open a Niagen pill and am using the powder as a sort of spot treatment face mask.  I also tried a microneedling patch from Peace Out.

 

If you shop at Sephora you’ve probably seen Peace Out.  They clearly spend A LOT on packaging and marketing.  Their dark spot remover is surprisingly not as expensive as I thought it would be given how much went into the packaging: https://peaceoutskincare.com/products/peace-out-dark-spots

Essentially, these are little sticky microneedle circles (think round bandaids, but clear, and prickly).  They’re quite fun to use, and feel good for the first few seconds before you forget they’re even on.  Use them for 2 weeks every night.  Sleep with them on, yank them off in the morning.

The ingredients Niacinamide, Licorice Extract, Ginger Extract, and Tranexamic Acid.  Two of these ingredients are Indian Grandma remedies, can you guess which ones?

Overall, I like it.  The effects weren’t dramatic, but it did work  – albeit temporarily on me.  The gradual fading isn’t something most of us are hoping for, but two weeks is not that long.  If you have the budget, these are probably not a bad weapon in your arsenal for ongoing daily use.  Again, they’re fun to put on.

Host of the TV Show Rock Star Recipes and the 1st Indian-American to walk the Latin Grammy Red Carpet, Anand Bhatt brings us the inside scoop & behind-the-scenes on Everything from Kitchen and Fitness Hacks, who's wearing what, the latest fashion and beauty trends, Inspiration on how celebs keep it together under stress, and more! Read on and live your best life!

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