Does sunscreen help with hyperpigmentation? Do you know that sunscreen can be a great ally in preventing hyperpigmentation? In this article we will talk a bit about how you can use sunscreen to help you with dark spots and much more!
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Hyperpigmentation & Dark Spots
Dark spots are results of imbalanced skin pigmentation. It can happen for various reasons, including hormonal changes, genetics, sun exposure, acne, allergies, inflammation, bad health diet, among other factors.
- As you already know, sun exposure is one great inducement contributor to dark spots, as the absorption of ultraviolet radiation on skin can cause melasma, and temporary or long term spots.
For these and other reasons, it is evident that sunscreen is an ally to prevent spots, but after the problem is already established, does sunscreen help with hyperpigmentation?
Does Sunscreen Help With Hyperpigmentation?
Yes, sunscreen can help with hyperpigmentation as well as prevent spots there that were caused by sun exposure. Apart from that, sunscreens can hydrate, prevent skin cancer, and are anti-aging and prevent prominent spots from getting worse.
Ultraviolet rays stimulate the production of melanin which can cause the spots. By using sunscreen, you can reduce and balance the melanin production, protecting and preventing hyperpigmentation.
For this to happen, you need to apply sunscreen everyday and re-apply it as many times as you need during the day to potentialize the results. As a result you can renew your skin, removing and preventing new spots to come.
Does Sunscreen Help With Melasma?
As there are different types such as the ones that are more superficial and the others that are deeper that reach the derm. Sunscreens may be able to help with superficial melasma and not the deep ones.
In any ways, you can still use sunscreen to protect your skin, prevent and hopefully have superficial spots minimized. However, it is very important that you seek professional help to get the correct, dedicated treatment.
What Sunscreens Are Best For hyperpigmentation?
Even though any sunscreen will help you with hyperpigmentation to a certain extent, it is better to opt to get tinted moisturizer that contains high coverage, as they can intensify the protection and bring uniform skin at the same time.
Apart from that, there are sunscreens that are registered as clarifying on the package such as the Idéal Soleil Clarify com cor FPS 60 de Vichy which was designed specifically to deal with hyperpigmentation issues.
What Sunscreens Are Best For Melasma?
Some sunscreens will be more effective to aid with melasma conditions than others, so it is good to understand which ones you can use to get a more effective protection.
Firstly try to pick sunscreens that offer prolonged protections, something around 12 hours of protection is a good starting point. Additionally opt for higher SPF factors to block UVA and UVB rays as much as possible.
Also, give preference to sunscreens that contain vitamin C and niacinamide, as they have antioxidant and clarifying activities, and you can find some of these products are labeled as ‘clarifying’ as well.
To get even more protection, opt for a tinted moisturizer that contains colored pigments that block the blue and the visible light, acting as a shield to the skin.
Note: Blue light is found on TV, computers, mobiles, tablets and different types of bulb lights.
Blue Light Protection
The lights that are irradiated by computers, mobile phones, tablets and tv can be harmful and cause hyperpigmentation, for this reason it is also important to wear sunscreen indoors as well.
There are two good ways to protect from blue light and prevent hyperpigmentation, spots and melasma. Firstly, use sunscreen, specially tinted sunscreen as advised before.
Then, it is a good idea to pick products with antioxidant ingredients, because blue light penetration can induce free radical production, that stimulates melanin, causing melasma and dark spots, and affects collagen production.
The use of sunscreens that contain oxidant ingredients can neutralize the effects of these lights.
Vitamin C & Sunscreen For Hyperpigmentation
Vitamin C is an oxidant that’s powerful and known to prevent and block skin hyperpigmentation. It can also be an effective helper while clarifying spots.
You can apply vitamin C in your morning routine before the sunscreen and in your evening routine. Alternatively, you can also get a sunscreen that already contains vitamin C to potentialize the clarifying effect.
How & When To Apply Sunscreen To Clear Skin
To help you prevent black spots, melasma and hyperpigmentation, it is best to apply sunscreen before leaving your house. Take your shower and apply it before getting dressed.
The sunscreen may take more or less 20 to 25 minutes to start working, so apply it 30 minutes before leaving your house, so it is already at work when you get the sun exposure.
Then, re-apply the sunscreen depending on the SPF factor and any time you get wet.
Mistakes That Can Contribute to Hyperpigmentation
- Not using sunscreen in winter: UV rays are released even on rainy cold days without sun
- Apply sunscreen only in the sunny days
- Not using sunscreen if you are remaining indoors
- Apply sunscreen only in the morning
- When you don’t re-apply your sunscreen throughout the day
Using Sunscreen For Hyperpigmentation & Melasma Summary
1. Apply Sunscreen Every Day
Applying sunscreen every day is an important step to help clear your skin. Even if you wear makeup foundation, apply it as a first step, before makeup primers.
Also, opt for foundations that contain high SPF factors and remember to use sunscreen even when wearing makeup foundation that contains SPF protection.
2. Opt For Tinted Clarifying Sunscreen
Clarifying tinted sunscreen is great for hyperpigmentation prevention and is much more effective if you are already experiencing this condition.
- Use Antioxidant Products that contains vitamin C
- Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week