01 Feb Skin brightening: The winter glow treatment!
A common beauty and skin concern modern women face is spots, discolorations and freckles that keep reappearing on the skin. The issue is related to melanin, a pigment that aims to protect skin cells from sudden damage and unwanted mutations. When melanin is disturbed for any reason, either due to a stimulus (hormonal disorders, overexposure to natural or artificial UV radiation, such as the sun, solarium, fluorescent lamps, excessive heat, skin injuries, such as acne or sores), then the melanocytes skin mechanism loses its balance and produces increased amounts of melanin in order to protect the skin.
The result of this skin reaction is that freckles reappear on the epidermis and thus becomes more visible. Their favorite season is certainly summer due to sunshine and overexposure of skin to the sun and UV light. That’s when they become more visible; they are annoying but there is not much one can do at the time, than to use sunscreen daily protection! During the winter months, the discolorations and freckles “seem to disappear”, due to the reduced exposure to sunshine. In essence, they do not disappear, they just become less visible! That’s why skin brightening treatments are recommended during the winter months; so that spots and discolorations do not reappear more severely during the summer months.
Nowadays, cosmetic aesthetics has developed effective ways to deal with discolorations, spots and freckles. The most suitable period to proceed with them is during winter months, when the skin is not exposed to the sun so much and the treatments become much more effective with longer duration.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Bright, Light, White treatments
Q: How can we get rid of spots and freckles to achieve an ever-glowing skin?
A: Scientific research and cosmetology have invested a lot of effort to evolve skin lightening treatments and cosmetic products in order to produce effective results.
These modern exfoliating methods remove the superficial cells of the skin and eliminate the excess melanin produced by the body to the minimum.
Some of these methods are the AHA & BHA fruit acids, the chemical peels, the famous Jessner’s Peel and the “smart” mechanical exfoliation with diamond heads. Combined with safe microcellular brightening serums consisted either of vitamin A and our favorite vitamin C, they enhance cell renewal and skin regeneration.
Q: How can we protect ourselves?
A: By using the right sunscreen for your skin type and apply all year round. Avoid sun exposure during peak hours (12 am – 4 pm). Remember to use a hat, sunglasses and light clothing as they provide significant protection throughout the skin’s exposure to sunlight. If you have a predisposition to hyperinflation which leads to the formation of spots and discolorations, you should also use products effective in melanogenesis inhibition during the summer.
The role of sunscreen
Greece is a sunny country all year round. Therefore, it is imperative to protect skin with sunscreen every day and especially if you live in the countryside, in the city or practice winter sports. To better understand the role of sunscreen, we will describe what happens to the skin during sun exposure and UVB-UVA rays’ penetration to the skin.
UVB rays cause redness, irritation, and burn. They are more intense in the summer months as well as during noon hours.
UVA rays are always in the atmosphere and their intensity increases with sunlight. They are more penetrating and may cause damage to the deeper layers of the skin. The result is premature aging of the skin with sudden blemishes, lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, even damage of cellular DNA. Overexposure to the sun may as well lower skin’s defense against aggressive environmental factors.
Apply your sunscreen evenly, 30′ before sun exposure, always on dry skin and in sufficient quantity. Repeat every 2-3 hours if you are still exposed to the sun, as well as after swimming or sports activities that may cause sweating.