How do you know if you have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation? 

Well, have you noticed the formation of dark marks or uneven skin tone after a breakout? 

Or maybe, you have noticed that recently your skin tone is uneven, light in some areas and darker in others. 

This results from the overproduction of melanin that's meant to protect the skin from harmful sun rays but instead leaves these unsightly marks. 

If you're dealing with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, it may have a remarkable effect on your quality of life.

But all hope is not lost. Today, we will be telling you about some natural ways you can deal with hyperpigmentation.

Did you know you can use sunscreen to guard against and treat hyperpigmentation?

Sunscreen is an essential component of treating photosensitivity conditions such as hyperpigmentation, according to a study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology.

A number of studies also provide sufficient evidence of the ability of sunscreen products to protect against UVB and UVA. 

It’s been revealed that people with darker skin are more likely to develop pigmentation disorders. But they are also the least likely to use sunscreen even after developing hyperpigmentation. 

And still, many don't attribute the problem of dark marks and uneven skin to sun exposure. Not wearing sunscreen has been blamed on a lack of education and awareness in our community. 

Many of us have heard the old saying, “Black don’t crack”.  And while that may be true, most of us have problems with blotchy, dull and uneven skin.  

You may have noticed friends or family that have gotten darker as they've got older.  I have friends that were really light-skinned that are now darker as they aged.  

Or have you noticed that the forehead,chin and mouth areas are darker than your cheeks? 

How many times have you heard "Black people don't need to wear sunscreen ?" 

In reality, if we did make sunscreen a part of our daily skincare routine, our skin would remain even, and if we breakout, the dark marks would begin to fade quicker.  And the beauty of sunscreen is-- it will fade existing dark marks. 

via GIPHY

Is using sunscreen backed by any study? Well, in one particular study featuring a group of 89 African-American and Hispanic individuals, the use of sunscreen led to an overall skin lightening effect and a reduction in the number of dark marks. 

There are a  broad range of sunscreen products available on the market,  from gels, creams, oils, lotions, etc.  The most commonly used products include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as ingredients. However, sunscreen with titanium dioxide can result in a blueish-ashy tone on darker skin.   

If you need natural solutions, various plant oils have been shown to resist UV rays, including sesame oil with the most resistance at 30%, according to a publication featured in the Pharmacognosy Review.  Other oils with the ability to block UV rays by up to 20% include peanut, coconut, olive, and cottonseed oils.

Utilizing herbal products and natural remedies for hyperpigmentation

Humans have long used herbal extracts to improve the appearance of their skin and treat various skin conditions.  Some are applied topically in the form of pastes or ingested orally. They have an abundance of antioxidants, including Vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids, phenolic acids, etc. 

Which foods can you start eating in order to reap the benefits of antioxidants? Well, here are some vital antioxidants for your skin and where to find them:

•   Proanthocyanidin: It maintains skin elasticity and inhibits DNA mutations. You can find it in grapeseed.
•   Resveratrol: It’s antioxidant and antimutagenic. Its topical application reduces the effects of skin edema and hyperpigmentation. It's found in products containing peanuts, cranberries, and grapes.
•   Ascorbic acid and vitamin C:  It's the most important antioxidant for the skin as it helps in the synthesis of collagen and offers photoprotection. It's most abundant source is Rosehip seed oil.
•   Vitamin E:  From reducing skin roughness to repairing light-induced damage,  Vitamin E is vital for general skin health. It’s mostly applied topically and has anti-aging properties.  You can find it in hazelnut oil,  pumpkin oil, Sesame oil,  and more.
•   More natural solutions: Other herbal extracts found to provide innumerable benefits to the skin include both green and black tea, Aloe vera,  avocado oil, walnuts,  evening primrose oil, and Porphyra. 

Combining science and nature to fight skin pigmentation

Natural skin Junkie has recognized that natural skincare products are as effective as lab-formulations. Our clients get access to scientific-based natural & organic skincare products that can help fight hyperpigmentation and promote general skin health. We are a holistic, esthetician run brand. You can find us at naturalskinjunkie.com.