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Did you know that heat and UV exposure can make existing pigmentation marks worse? This is one of the many reasons why it's not ideal to resort to chemical peels in the summer. Not to mention, we're all too busy being outside to deal with our dead skin peeling off. (Sorry if that was gross!)
Don't trip though! There are a variety of ways to treat pigmentation when the sunshine and heat are at their highest. If you're dealing with acne marks and/or melasma, these tips are gonna be super helpful--
#1: Protect your skin at all costs--Your once-a-day application of sunscreen in the morning is not enough in most cases. Since sunscreen rubs off or is sweated off throughout the day, the protection becomes less effective. Think of it as someone blowing a hole through Captain America's shield--not so protective, right? That's why you NEED to reapply every two hours. Spray and powder SPFs are my favorite type of product for reapplying sunscreens. You can also enhance your protection by wearing wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, and seeking shady places when possible.
#2: Be consistent with your exfoliants and brightening products—Our skin exfoliates itself everyday, but the process slows down as we age, leading to more accumulated pigmentation at the surface. That’s why chemical exfoliants like lactic acid and mandelic acid are so helpful—they kick up the regeneration process and help the skin slough away dead skin cells. By removing the dead skin build up at the surface, you can improve the penetration of your “performance” products, like skin brighteners. This doesn’t mean exfoliate everyday though (if your skin can’t handle it). Using an exfoliating product 2-3 times a week consistently goes a long way versus just intermittently using a product.
#3: Stop messing with your skin—Seriously. The more you pick at or f*ck with your skin, the more inflammation you’re creating under the surface. You’re just encouraging your skin to go into hyper protection mode and produce more melanin. Do future you a favor and throw away your magnifying mirror and extraction tools.
#4: Don’t neglect the power of healthy foods—You already know that our diet impacts the way our skin looks + behaves. Eating foods high in zinc and antioxidants like nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables give our skin the nutrients it needs to stimulate repair. In fact, zinc has been shown to have positive effects on the reduction of acne and hyperpigmentation. I always recommend focusing more on the foods you SHOULD eat instead of focusing on foods to avoid.
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