Dark Spots AND Hyperpigmentation

In the skincare beautification system, dark spot producing offenses are considered especially heinous. 

In the Bridal Beauty Bible. the dedicated stylists who help you treat this vicious hyperpigmentation are members of an elite squad known as the skincare victims unit. These are their stories.

DUN. DUN.

In the Bridal Beauty Bible. the dedicated stylists who help you treat this vicious hyperpigmentation are members of an elite squad known as the skincare victims unit. These are their stories.

DUN. DUN.

Suspect Number 3: Hormones

An even toned face was assaulted by dark spots. 

THE DETECTIVES ARE CONSIDERING ALL SUSPECTS AT THIS TIME...

There are too many dark SVU/Pregnancy/Birth Control connections we could make, so we’ll just leave this one alone

The sun is like the creepy neighbor who convinces you to break the law. You know you’re not supposed to tan or skip the SPF, but it just feels so good

Suspect Number 2: Your Parents

Every good detective (and therapist) knows to always look at the parents first

SUSPECT NUMBER 1: THE SUN

3

2

1

Suspect Number 1: The Sun

TODAY’S CASE:

Don’t worry, you still have options. While you might be desperate to try everything and anything, it’s best to introduce one thing at a time. You need to make sure your skin can tolerate these new treatments, and if you try too many at once, you won’t know which is causing a big ol’ red rash. Isolating the treatments will let you know exactly which ones are helping.

but the sun is like the ringleader- it’s the one Elliot Stabler would have threatened to beat up if this was an actual episode of SVU. Even if your hormones and genes would have given you dark spots on their own, sun exposure is the only one that you have any control over.

SPOILER ALERT: EVERYONE IS GUILTY HERE, AS HYPERPIGMENTATION IS A RESULT OF ALL THREE FACTORS...

For the love of God, I’ll wear my sunscreeN, but the damage is done, how do I fix it...

Incorporate The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension into your routine once or twice a day (depending on what your skin can tolerate). This antioxidant will brighten, lighten, and even out your skin tone.

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

tranexamic acid

Just like with acne scars, the skin lightening agent can fade dark spots.
Musely has a great cream that contains hydroquinone and tretinoin to double down on effectiveness. Just remember, prolonged use can have an adverse effect, so discontinue this step in your regimen after about 3 months. 

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

tranexamic acid

Use products that contain Kojic Acid, which can improve discoloration. SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment is a great option for this. 

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

tranexamic acid

Exfoliate with professional chemical peels such as glycolic peels or retinol peels. These can be done by a dermatologist or esthetician to speed up cell turnover, brightening the skin.  

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

tranexamic acid

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

AZELAIC ACID

See an esthetician for a series of microdermabrasion facials - a minimally invasive resurfacing procedure that will treat uneven skin tone/texture, melasma, and scars.

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

tranexamic acid

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

AZELAIC ACID

High-energy pulsing lasers can safely zap away many unwanted liver spots, age spots, sun spots, broken capillaries, and angiomas (red spots).

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid helps block excess melanin production in the skin, ultimately fading the appearance of dark spots over time. This can be in a cream, or taken orally. You can find a prescription for this from a dermatologist, or from a subscription like Musely.

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

tranexamic acid

another friendly PSA:

trial any new products as early as 8 months to a year ahead of the wedding, and stay consistent with them. when in doubt, consult a derm. we're begging you - Avoid the urge to test a gazillion products right before the wedding - your skin will thank you.

Incorporate The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension into your routine once or twice a day (depending on what your skin can tolerate). This antioxidant will brighten, lighten, and even out your skin tone.

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

Utilize hydroquinone, a skin lightening agent you can find over the counter such as Ambi Fade. A stronger version can be prescribed by a dermatologist, and can be used in conjunction with a retinoid to increase the efficacy of the treatment.

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE CARBS

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

Use products that contain Kojic Acid, which can improve discoloration. SkinCeuticals Phyto Plus is a great option for this. 

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE CARBS

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

Exfoliate with professional chemical peels such as glycolic peels or retinol peels. These can be done by a dermatologist or esthetician to speed up cell turnover, brightening the skin.  

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE CARBS

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

See an esthetician for a series of microdermabrasion facials - a minimally invasive resurfacing procedure that will treat uneven skin tone/texture, melasma, and scars.

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE CARBS

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS

Lasers can safely zap away many unwanted liver spots, age spots, sun spots, broken capillaries, and angiomas (red spots).

AZELAIC ACID

PEELS

MICRODERMABRASION

HYDROQUINONE CARBS

KOJIC ACID

LASER TREATMENTS