How to get rid of age spots: new possibilities of cosmetics

Patients with age spots on the face are most often convinced that this aesthetic problem can be dealt with only by potent methods – hardware technologies or chemical peels. However, modern high-tech brightening cosmetics can also be very effective in combating pigmentation, while at the same time they can reduce the visible signs of skin aging. How to get rid of age spots with whitening cosmetics and how they can reduce pigmentation, read on estet-portal.com.

How to get rid of age spots – features of the effect on melanin

The appearance of age spots is usually due to uneven production and distribution of melanin pigment. This pigment is produced by melanocytes located in the dermis and is needed by the skin as a kind of filter that protects against ultraviolet radiation. The synthesis of melanin is controlled by a special enzyme – tyrosinase, which regulates the production of melanin and its destruction.

In the process of skin aging, as well as due to fluctuations in the hormonal background, the development of certain diseases, tyrosinase ceases to clearly regulate the ratio of melanin produced and destroyed, because of this, skin pigmentation is disturbed, uneven spots with different coloring intensity appear on it.

The basic principles of the operation of cosmetic products with a whitening effect are as follows:

• reversible inhibition of melanin production in melanocytes;
• regulation of tyrosinase activity.

In addition, melanin synthesis is highly dependent on the content of certain metals – iron, copper, zinc, and therefore, substances that can bind them, also significantly affect the reduction of pigmentation. 

The production of melanin in the skin is reduced by some derivatives of ascorbic acid, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory drugs.

How to get rid of age spots, which remedy to prefer, the cosmetologist decides based on the collected history and characteristics of a particular patient, always taking into account the causes of pigmentation.

Features of active cosmetics that reduce pigmentation

Thanks to modern high technologies, it was possible to create cosmetic products that contain active elements that act on melanin and tyrosinase, their combinations and complexes with other components that have the ability to exfoliate the stratum corneum and renew the epidermis.

Hydroquinone – a substance that is toxic to melanocytes and simultaneously inhibits tyrosinase. In bleaching agents, hydroquinone is usually contained in a concentration of 1-2%, although 4% is sometimes allowed. In many countries, the use of this active substance is not allowed, as it is believed to have cytotoxic and carcinogenic effects.

Arbutin – a glycoside capable of inhibiting the production of melanin, but at the same time not having a toxic effect on other cells and effectively blocking the activity of tyrosinase.

Kojic acid – mild tyrosinase blocker, non-toxic to cells and very effective whitening agent. The disadvantage is its possible allergenicity, therefore, before using drugs with its content, it is necessary to carry out an allergy test. Often combined with glycolic acid. In Switzerland, kojic acid is not allowed due to its association with contact dermatitis.

Azelainic acid – an organic fatty acid with a toxic effect on melanocytes.

In search of the best methods to get rid of age spots, specialized cosmetics manufacturers create innovative formulas that allow you to fight the signs of skin aging while lightening spots. So the new generation of whitening cosmetics includes retinoids, & nbsp; alpha and beta hydroxy acids, vitamin C.

Hydroxy acids help exfoliate dead cells and improve skin texture, but increase skin sensitivity. Retinoids have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, affect the activity of cell reproduction. Vitamin C, as a strong antioxidant, stimulates neocollagenesis.

Sun protection is a prerequisite for any treatment aimed at combating pigmentation.

When choosing a method of how to get rid of age spots, one should not only understand the cause that caused pigmentation, but also choose the optimal composition of ingredients that will block melanin synthesis, exfoliate, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and also improve skin condition.