The spots appear frequently on the skin of the face, neckline or hands. To combat them, in addition to resorting to anti-stain creams, it is essential to use sun protection all year round.
Has it ever happened to you that the marks on the skin end up "ruining" that summer outfit that you had wanted so much to wear? This is one of the most common cosmetic problems. To combat it, there are anti-stain creams. How can you help us?
The effect of anti-stain creams depends on the type of stain you are treating. To achieve results, you have to be consistent and always combine them with sun protection, although some of them can only be used at night.
These types of creams are formulated with depigmenting actives that slow down melanin production and stimulate cell regeneration.
Types of hyperpigmentation or spots
As a Mayo Clinic article explains , blemishes are caused by an accumulation of melanin , a natural pigment that colors the skin. Hyperpigmentations are classified into two types:
- Melanics: appear, as mentioned previously, due to an increase in melanin production. This group includes freckles, melasma, or hyperpigmentations due to inflammation. Anti-stain creams can be used for this type.
- Melanocytic: they are due to an increase in the number of melanocytes . This includes senile lentigines, single lentigines, and moles. This variety does not undergo changes with anti-stain creams.
More frequent spots on the skin
The spots that appear on the skin most often are:
- Solar lentigines : these are sun spots that form flat plates larger than freckles.
- Freckles : they are small brown spots of irregular distribution.
- Chloasma or pregnancy mask: usually appears on the sides, forehead, upper lip and cheeks. It is also known as chloasma gravidarum or melasma .
- Berloque dermatitis: these are spots that appear on the neck from the use of certain perfumes, especially when they come in contact with ultraviolet rays, according to an article published in Family Medicine .
- Post-inflammatory or scarring hyperpigmentation after acne lesions, herpes zoster or allergic contact dermatitis.
What ingredients do anti-stain creams contain?
Anti-stain creams come in different forms: emulsion, gel, serum , hydroalcoholic solution and mask. In this way , it is easy to adapt them to all skin types.
There are different active ingredients that are part of the composition of depigmenting creams; You can see them on the label of each product. They usually include:
- Antioxidants: like vitamin C, in 5% - 15%.
- Mequinol: it is used in 2% - 10% and produces a reversible depigmentation of the skin, by preventing the metabolic processes of the melanocytes. A study published by Therapeutics for the Clinician confirms its effectiveness for solar lentigines.
- Azelaic Acid: It is used at 10% - 20% and is an antibacterial, as detailed in a MedlinePlus publication .
- Niacinamide 5%.
- Kojic acid.
- Plant extracts: bearberry, arbutin, licorice, chamomile or mulberry.
- Acids: such as phytic at 1% - 2%, alpha lipoic in proportion of 2% - 8% and ellagic at 1%.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids : They have the function of exfoliating the skin to minimize the appearance of blemishes, as detailed in an NIH publication .
- Keratolytics: like salicylic acid.
In addition to those mentioned, other ingredients that require a prescription can be incorporated, such as retinoic acid and hydroquinone. Due to the various utilities that they can have, it should be the dermatologist who advises the use of one or another product .
Combine anti-stain creams with sun protection
Staining is a chronic process that can worsen with sun exposure . Therefore, in the spring and summer months, apply sunscreen half an hour before exposure, and replicate it every two hours, as advised by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products of Spain.
It is also advisable to reapply it if you take a bath or practice an intense sports activity. Remember the importance of using sunscreen daily. Among other advantages, this turns out to be a very good anti-aging cream , since it protects the skin against the damage that UVA rays can cause.
Do you know how anti-stain creams are applied?
The general guideline for use is once a day at night, for one or two weeks , until the skin gets used to it. It is normal to notice a slight stinging in the first applications; however, if the irritation persists, you should stop using it and consult the dermatologist who prescribed it.
Although there are depigmenting creams that do not need a prescription, consultation with the professional is very important, since it guarantees greater safety and effectiveness of the treatment. In addition, certain products tend to be more irritating and photosensitizing , which is why the doctor generally recommends applying them at night.
Once you achieve the desired result, it is advisable to continue with a maintenance and photoprotection regimen as much as the specialist indicates. In addition, the dermatologist may recommend food supplements that help prevent the appearance of new spots and reduce existing ones.
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Anti-stain creams: habits make the difference
Anti-blemish creams help reduce blemishes and equalize skin tone. However, the result obtained with the treatment largely depends on the use you make of the sunscreen in your daily life .
Likewise, it is important that the stain is correctly identified. While some do not improve with the application of creams, there are others that do. For this reason, we reiterate that the best thing is always to consult with a professional.
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