Work all winter long to fade your sun spots, only to find that they return in the summer? Even if you layered on sunscreen, sit in the shade, and limit your time in the sun—pigmentation often returns. Sometimes after your very first time in the sun. If not preexisting sun spots, new sun spots.
Whatever the cause of your hyperpigmentation, it’s time to take a strategic approach. Below we explore how to even skin tone with over-the-counter products, prescription products, and Lumecca Peak IPL.
Do over-the-counter skin brighteners work?
Maybe. Some topical skin brighteners work, but you must be mindful of a few things. Especially if you have sensitive skin. The darker your pigmentation and the longer it’s been there, the more likely a medical-grade solution is required.
When selecting OTC skin brighteners:
- Avoid harsh actives: Products labeled “whitening” vs. “brightening” are more likely to be formulated with harsh ingredients, including mercury which is highly toxic. Read consumer reviews and avoid products that cause reddening, stinging, or peeling. If products irritate, stop using them, even if they deliver results.
- Use as directed: Topicals that work take months to deliver initial results. This may have you tempted to apply them multiple times per day to accelerate results. However, you won’t accelerate your results by using products more frequently, but you’ll likely irritate your skin and damage your skin barrier.
- Know your Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a top ingredient for evening skin tone. Read the label to see if your Vitamin C is formulated from ascorbic acid or Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is a gentle brightener, and ascorbic acid is more likely to cause irritation. Be mindful that Vitamin C can make your skin sun sensitive, so only apply it in the evenings.
- Use one brightener at a time: Again, more is not better. So, avoid using 2 (or more) brightening products at a time. This includes layering products that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA). While some products are formulated with more than 1 AHA or BHA, don’t layer multiple products with acids.
- Know what to expect: Expect initial results within 2 to 4 weeks, with maximum brightening between 4 and 6 months. At this point, your existing sun spots and hyperpigmentation won’t continue to fade. While existing pigmentation won’t lighten further, continue daily application to maintain results and slow further pigmentation.
Exfoliate regularly
Exfoliation is key to successful skin brightening. Pigmentation resides in the deep layers of the skin. The reason why many over-the-counter products don’t work is that they can’t absorb deeply enough into your skin. If you apply a brightener that can penetrate your skin on top of dead skin cells, it won’t fade your dark spots. If you’re 40+, a granular exfoliator won’t be enough to effectively slough away dead skin. Switch to a gentle AHA or BHA rinse-off or leave-on topical exfoliator instead.
For best results, work with a tenured esthetician to tailor your skincare routine, especially as your skin matures. This isn’t just to even skin tone, but to address your individual skin conditions.
Do prescription skin brighteners work?
Yes, prescription skin brighteners work. This includes hydroquinone and retinol. Use as directed and be mindful of the following.
- Sun sensitivity: Both prescriptions increase sensitivity to sunlight. So, consider if they fit your active lifestyle. Wearing a wide-brim hat may provide you with the shade you need to enjoy sunny weather.
- Long-term effects: One of the reasons to incorporate med spa treatments into your anti-aging routine is that prescription brighteners can be harsh on your skin, especially when used long-term. Long-term, these treatments can cause chronic inflammation that further ages your skin.
- Return rate: Fading dark spots with prescription medications isn’t one and done. You’ll need to create a maintenance routine. For fastest fading and longevity, explore our med spa options.
Why sun spots and hyperpigmentation return?
Melanin is the skin’s natural defense against the sun. When your skin is exposed to too much sun without proper UV protection, melanin umbrellas over the skin as a natural defense mechanism. Not all pigmentation is caused by UV damage, but all dark spots are intensified by UV damage.
Once you successfully fade pigmentation with med spa treatments or topical products that block melanin production, you must wear broad-spectrum UV protection daily and keep sun exposure to a minimum. When in direct sunlight, reapply every 2 hours. Any sun exposure, even if it’s not overexposure, can reactivate the cells that cause an overproduction of melanin, causing hyperpigmentation to return—and new spots to form.
We offer a range of aesthetic treatments that rejuvenate and even skin tone, with Lumecca Peak intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) being a complete game changer!
What is intense pulsed light therapy?
Often confused with laser therapy, IPL isn’t laser therapy, it’s light therapy. Laser therapy emits a single wavelength, while light therapy emits multiple wavelengths. IPL also differs in how it targets pigmented areas. IPL delivers similar aesthetic results as lasers but hyper-targets skin discoloration. Laser therapy treats all cells it comes in contact with.
IPL can treat larger surface areas in less time, with the standard treatment between 20 and 30 minutes.
What type of IPL works best?
There are many types of IPL to choose from, with Lumecca Peak up to 3 times stronger than 1st generation Lumecca!
Lumecca photofacial utilizes selective photothermolysis that targets skin cells that are darker than the surrounding skin. The hyperpigmented areas on your face and body absorb the wavelengths, heating and breaking down dark spots of any kind.
How is Lumecca different from other IPLs?
Standard Lumecca delivers results in 1 to 3 treatments, while other IPLs take 4 to 6 treatments.
It’s also far more gentle than other sun spot treatments, as it doesn’t damage surrounding tissues. Instead, it activates your body’s natural healing process. As your cells repair, your dark spots may darken and flake off over the next 24 to 48 hours. This rapidly improves skin clarity and gives the appearance of improved skin texture.
Beyond brightening your skin tone, IPL wavelengths may reduce pore size and stimulate localized collagen production for anti-aging benefits. For ultimate smoothing, lifting, and firming, we’ll suggest a tailored range of med spa treatments for stimulating collagen production
How long to fade sun spots with Lumecca Peak?
Hyperpigmentation will darken and flake off within 48 hours of treatment, with additional fading over the next few weeks. Many clients schedule 1 or 2 more treatments, spaced 4 weeks apart.
Schedule a maintenance session or two every 6 to 12 months to address new sun spots.
How to maintain skin brightening?
The tips below help keep skin clear, while taking a proactive and reactive approach to anti-aging.
- Elevate your skincare routine: Support your skin’s restorative process by elevating your skincare routine. Yes, this often means spending more on your at-home products. Save time and money by working with an esthetician to tailor your skincare routine. This often includes regular facials, spa and at-home deep exfoliation, and transitioning to products with reparative ingredients, including Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, caviar extract, PLLA, topical stem cells, and a tailored skincare routine. You may need to adjust this routine for spring/summer and fall/winter.
- UV protection: Broad-spectrum UV protection protects your skin from the sun, electronic devices, and the blue light of indoor lighting. The more your skin is prone to pigmentation, the more important it is to reapply during the day, even when indoors. For speed and ease, incorporate foundation, powder, or light-coverage BB cream with UV protection. ISDIN has some excellent options, including broad-spectrum 50 BB cream, facial spray, and a mattifying mineral powder brush designed specifically for on-the-go use.
- Use makeup to fake brightening: Your skin may dull as your hormones begin to fluctuate in your mid-40s. Leverage makeup to create a youthful glow or to even texture and skin tone by using foundation or powder with light-reflecting particles. Or opt for full-coverage options. Also consider smoothing primers and makeup designed for mature skin. These formulas don’t settle into lines and wrinkles, creating a smoothing effect.
- Strategic med spa treatments: Schedule a consultation to discuss which med spa treatments can address your skincare concerns. From non-plumping fillers to restore your natural glow to fillers that volumize, contour and smooth, a range of treatments to smooth, lift, firm, and boost collagen production, and PRP or PRF for acne scars, hair loss, and other skin conditions. We may also suggest BHRT, as fluctuating hormones can decrease skin hydration and accelerate fine lines and wrinkles.
Let’s discuss if Lumecca Peak is right for you!
Sun spots and hyperpigmentation affect men and women and can occur at any age. Lumecca Peak is safe and effective for most, but if it’s not right for you, we’ll discuss the fastest and most effective way to brighten your skin tone. We can address sun spots on the face, neck, décolletage, hands, and most other areas of the body.
Schedule your consultation now! Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa has locations in Phoenix, Tempe, and Glendale, and a new location in Chandler is coming soon!
