Melanin,  the brown pigment within the epidermis, gives our skin its rich color, naturally protecting skin from damaging effects of the sun. It guards the skin from short-term effects such as severe sunburn and also guards the skin from long-term damage associated with aging – the development of deep wrinkles and age spots. Even though people of color have greater natural protection from the sun and lower risk of skin cancer,  we also  tend to have problems with pigmentation, or uneven darkening or lightening of skin. These skin conditions are partially related to sun light or sun damages. If you are noticing a dark patches or spots, dry skin surface or an overall rough texture to the skin,  this could be because of sun damage.

Luckily, there are products available to help address the problems associated with and nourish sun damaged skin! Used on a daily basis to help moisturize delicate skin, Clear Essence Lemon Plus Vitamin A Creme gives the appearance of dramatically smoother skin, texture and hydration while increasing firmness and clarity.  It also aids to repair serious skin damage due to sun, aging, chemical reactions and burns.  Try some today!

Clear Essence Platinum Line Specialist Skin Care Body Oil,  is the newest product under the platinum line. Clear Essence Specialist SkinCare Body Oil is a unique moisturizing body oil that gives skin sultry sheen as it scents with our blend of vitamin A and E, Lavender and rosemary oils and chamomile extracts. Suitable for all skin types. Ideal as a bath or massage oil.

Benefits

Hydrated skin – lubricates and relieves dry or chapped skin.

Ageing Skin – helps to improving the skin’s elasticity

Scars – helps to reduce the appearance of scars by improving the condition of the skin with scar tissue.

Stretch marks – Helps reduce the appearance of dark patches and blemishes.

Suggestion: always use sunscreens. Ideal as a bath or massage oil.

Lemon Plus vitamin C natural skin lightening products – Clear Essence

Kojic acids skin care products by Clear Essence Cosmetics

Either way, there is a good amount of evidence that in combination with other treatments—such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid, laser resurfacing, and, of course, an effective sunscreen—AHAs can be very effective for improving the overall appearance of sun-damaged skin and possibly helping other ingredients better penetrate skin. While there is no comparative research in regards to salicylic acid (BHA) and its effect on melasma, it makes sense to assume that because salicylic acid exerts a similar action on skin as AHAs, it will have similar results for improving skin color.

Much like laser treatments, alpha hydroxy acid peels (using 50% concentrations or greater) have impressive results for removing skin discolorations (Sources: Dermatologic Surgery, February 2005, pages 149-154; Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, April 2004, pages 97-102; Cutis, February 2004, supplemental, pages 18-24; Dermatologic Therapy, June 2004, pages 196-205; and Dermatological Surgery, June 1999, pages 450-454). Only a physician should perform these types of facial peels.

Anti Aging skin products w/ alpha hydroxy acids by Clear Essence

In medical literature, hydroquinone is considered the primary topical ingredient for inhibiting melanin production. Using it in combination with the other options listed in this section —especially tretinoin—can greatly reduce and even eliminate skin discolorations (Sources: Cutis, March 2006, pages 177-184; Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, September-October 2005, pages 592-597; Journal of Cosmetic Science, May-June 1998, pages 208-290; and Dermatological Surgery, May 1996, pages 443-447). Interestingly, hydroquinone is not only a hero for those with sun- or hormone-induced melasma, but its components have potent antioxidant abilities (Source: Journal of Natural Products, November 2002, pages 1605-1611).

Hydroquinone is a strong inhibitor of melanin production (Source: Journal of Dermatological Science, August, 2001, supplemental, pages 68-75), meaning that it prevents skin from making the substance responsible for skin color. Hydroquinone does not bleach the skin, which is why calling it a bleaching agent is a misnomer as it can’t remove pigment from the skin cell. Hydroquinone can only disrupt the synthesis and production of melanin hyperpigmentation, which is actually true of any skin-lightening ingredient. When you prevent melanin from being generated, as new skin cells are formed and move to the skin’s surface, they do not contain the excess pigment (melanin), therefore reducing or eliminating these darkened areas.

Some concerns about hydroquinone’s safety on skin have been expressed, but the research when it comes to topical application indicates negative reactions are minor or a result of using extremely high concentrations or from other skin-lightening agents such as glucocorticoids or mercury iodine. This is particularly true in Africa where adulterated skin lightening products are commonplace (Sources: British Journal of Dermatology, March 2003, pages 493-500 and Critical Reviews in Toxicology, May 1999, pages 283-330).

According to Howard I. Maibach, M.D., professor of dermatology at the University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, “Overall, adverse events reported with the use of hydroquinone… have been relatively few and minor in nature…. To date there is no evidence of adverse systemic reactions following the use of hydroquinone. and it has been around for over 30 years in skin-care products.” Maibach also has stated that “hydroquinone is undoubtedly the most active and safest skin-depigmenting substance…” Research supporting Maibach’s contentions was published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health (1998, pages 301-317). Concern about hydroquinone having carcinogenic properties is mostly from industrial-grade materials and uses. For cosmetic use there appears to be no similar evidence.

Despite hydroquinone’s impressive track record and efficacy, in September 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that products containing hydroquinone be sold only with a prescription due to their opinion that it posed certain health risks. The FDA asserts there are animal studies showing it may be a possible carcinogen, and studies from Africa showing risk of a skin disorder called ochronosis (Source: http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E6-14263.htm).

More than 200 products containing hydroquinone are currently sold in the United States, and, according to Dr. Susan Taylor, founding director of the Skin of Color Center in New York City and assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University, “Hydroquinone is the gold standard for treating pigmentation disorders and has been for many years. I consider it to be very safe and effective” (Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wednesday, September 6, 2006).

I concur. There is abundant research from reputable sources that shows hydroquinone to be safe and extremely effective (Sources: Cutis, August 2006, Supplemental pages 6–19; Journal of Cosmetic Laser Therapy, September 2006, pages 121–127; American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, July 2006, pages 223–230; and Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, May 2006, Supplemental, pages 272–281). Surprisingly, there is even research showing that workers who handle pure hydroquinone actually have lower incidences of cancer than the population as a whole (Source: Critical Reviews in Toxicology, May 1999, pages 283–330). Research to the contrary was done either using products contaminated with other ingredients or was performed on mice using high concentrations of hydroquinone—and that doesn’t equate to the levels of hydroquinone used in topical, over-the-counter skin-care products. Further evidence that this proposed ban doesn’t make sense comes from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), who doesn’t agree with the FDA’s proposal—yet the AAD stands to gain the most if consumers can only obtain hydroquinone products with a dermatologist’s prescription.

The negative research about hydroquinone and the frightening assertions being levied in the media are not related to how this effective ingredient is used in skin-care products sold in the United States. It has been, and still is, the most effective topical agent for fading and/or eliminating sun- or hormone-induced brown skin discolorations.

Because of hydroquinone’s action on the skin, it can be a skin irritant, particularly in higher concentrations of 4% or greater and predictably when combined with tretinoin. Some medications have been created that combine 4% hydroquinone with tretinoin and a form of cortisone. The cortisone is included as an anti-inflammatory. The negative side effect of repeated application of cortisone is countered by the positive effect of the tretinoin so it doesn’t cause thinning of skin and damage to collagen (Source: Drugs in Dermatology, July-August 2004, pages 377-381).

Hydroquinone can be an unstable ingredient in cosmetic formulations. When exposed to air or sunlight it can turn a strange shade of brown. Therefore, when you are considering a hydroquinone product, it is essential to make sure it is packaged in a non-transparent container that doesn’t let light in and minimizes air exposure.

As far as skin is concerned, depending on how much is present, melanin does provide some amount of sun protection by absorbing the sun’s ultraviolet light. This explains why darker skin colors are less susceptible to sunburn and the overall effects of sun damage. But less susceptible doesn’t mean immune from problems.

Increased melanin production —also known as hyperpigmentation —is often referred to as melasma, chloasma or solar lentigenes. Melasma is a general term describing darkening of the skin. Chloasma is generally used to describe skin discolorations caused by hormones. These hormonal changes are usually the result of pregnancy, birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy. Solar lentigenes is the technical term for darkened spots on the skin caused by the sun. Solar refers to sunlight and lentigene describes a darkened area of skin. These spots are quite common in adu|ts with a long history of unprotected sun exposure.

Aside from sun exposure and hormones, hyperpigmentation can be caused by skin damage, such as remnants of blemishes, wounds or rashes (Source: Cutis, August 2005, pages 19-23). This is especially true for those with darker skin tones.

By far, for all skin colors, the most typical cause of darkened areas of skin, brown spots or areas of discoloration is unprotected sun exposure. Once incorrectly referred to as liver spots, these pigment problems have nothing whatsoever to do with the liver. In fact, these discolorations wouldn’t have appeared in the first place if skin was diligently protected from the sun over the years.

On lighter to medium skin tones, solar lentigenes emerge as small- to medium-sized brown patches of freckling that can grow and accumulate over time on areas of the body that receive the most unprotected sun exposure, such as the back of the hands, forearms, chest, and face. For those with darker skin colors, these discolorations can appear as patches or areas of ashen-gray skin. Regardless of how or why these benign discolorations occur, the thought is the same worldwide: this is something women want to get rid of and prevent from recurring (or ever taking place).

Discoloration & Hyperpigmentation treatments By Clear Essence Cosmetics

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Tip # 1: KEEP IT CLEAN

Did you know that men have approximately 15% oilier skin and significantly larger pores than women do? This basically means you get dirtier. It is very important; no matter what skin type you have, to clean your face every day. Deep cleansing is important. It keeps pores clear, skin healthy and you looking good. Clear Essence’s Medicated Cleansing Bar with Exfoliants is an ideal choice.

Tip #2: KEEP IT TONED

Because men are outside more than women are, environmental debris and pollutants are more a factor to their skin’s health. Toning helps keep the skin clear and firm. These acids actually can reduce the pore size, and help avoid ingrown hairs. They are aggressive and have quick results. The Clear Essence Anti Aging Toner Astringent with Alpha Hydroxy Acid will do just that!

Tip #3: TREAT YOUR SKIN

Depending on your skin type (oily, dry or combination) and the time of year, there are different products that treat and enhance your skin. Different treatments will have very different results. It is important to know your skin’s needs. All types of skin need to be exfoliated. This is the removal of dead skin cells that form daily. This is an essential part of skin treatment. After shaving, you need to moisturize with a product that has absolutely no alcohol in it.

TIP #4: PROTECT YOUR SKIN

Healthy skin is young looking skin. There are key techniques to be followed that will keep you skin looking as young as possible for as long as possible.

Here are the key techniques:

* 1. Avoid over exposure to the sun. Sun damage leads to hyper pigmentation (darkspots) which can develop into serious skin disease. Excessive exposure can also exaggerate and thicken fine lines. Use an SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin, especially on your face.

2. Stay in shape. Exercise promotes capillary functioning that can decrease premature aging. It also increases oxygen to the tissues, which keeps skin looking young.
3. Eat right. Keep vitamins such as C and E in your diet regimen.

4. Everything in moderation. Too much of anything is never a good idea. Stay away from excessive alcohol, smoking, fatigue and stress. Not only can these factors lead to premature aging; they also decrease facial circulation making you look older.

Diligent practice of the above tips will not have you looking like a cover model overnight. However, your skin will look healthier and younger, allowing you to feel better about yourself. Check out the Chimere Complete Skin Care Kit for Men at ClearEssence.com. It included essential products that will help achieve incredible results.

Until next time my friends,

Clear Essence Online Team