Hyperpigmentation & Red Light Therapy

Our skin has a lot to do with the way we see ourselves, and it’s important to keep it looking its best. There are a number of skin problems that can damage our self-esteem, and one of those is hyperpigmentation. This is what you see when you see dark spots on visible parts of the skin such as the hands and face. It’s these areas that have been affected by the sun and tend to get hyperpigmentation on them. Once these spots start to form, it’s hard to hide them. They can range anywhere from light brown to black and widely vary in size.

Types of Hyperpigmentation

There are a number of different types of hyperpigmentation that people can get. There are two that are highly common. The first is called chloasma or melasma, and it is often known as the mask of pregnancy. Among pregnant women, about 90% end up with this pregnancy mask. For this type of hyperpigmentation, it is caused by hormonal changes that can take place while pregnant as well as while using contraception. It can cause large spots darker than the surrounding skin that may be in irregular shapes. These often pop up quickly and are not due to aging skin.

There is also gradual hyperpigmentation. This happens after a skin injury has fully healed. It is a flat area that is discolored is left behind. This can be caused by acne as well as by certain cosmetic treatments like chemical peels and dermabrasion.

Skin Melanin

Hyperpigmentation happens when the skin produces too much melanin in one area. Melanin is the substance that gives color to our eyes, skin and hair, and too much of it in one area creates an area that is darker. A common cause of this problem is the sun. As the sunlight comes into contact with your skin, it can cause the body to make more melanin in that area. There are also genetic factors that influence the way melanin is produced in your body.

To avoid these dark spots, it’s important to keep your skin covered when you’re outdoors. You can also use sunscreen with a high SPF number to keep the sun from affecting your skin. UVA and UVB rays are both harmful to the skin, so your sunscreen should block them both. It’s also a good idea not to be in the sun for too long at a time.

Red Light Therapy

The treatment that has been found to be most effective against this darkening of the skin is red light therapy. Red light stimulates the cells and is absorbed by the mitochondria. This stimulates those cells to make more ATP, the cells’ energy source. This causes the cells to more quickly repair themselves, and this can get your skin back to its normal color. Using red light therapy can help with many types of hyperpigmentation so that the skin looks clearer and more youthful.

The Envy Light Capsule is a great way to get that red light therapy. It offers strong red light therapy to get rid of the discolored areas.