BEAUTY Spotting dark spots?

SUN DAMAGE?Dark spots lead to an uneven or patchy complexion.

Spotting dark spots?


Beauty
Maggie Gibbons

The newest kid on the beauty block is lightening cream for hyperpigmentation – more commonly known as age spots. These little brown patches appear mainly on the face, neck and hands and are not caused by ageing at all, however. They’re caused by years of sun exposure, which is why they’re more common on those bits we explose to the elements more often.
Even if you’re applying sunscreen regularly you’re still likely to miss a couple of bits, which can lead to hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Women everywhere are plagued by them, with some women getting them as early as in their 20s. If we’re asked what signs of ageing bother us the most, we usually say wrinkles – closely followed by these brown spots.
I’m constantly asked if there’s a permanent solution for removing them. Well, I’m not sure. There is of course the hugely expensive Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment, which is waves of heated light aimed directly at the problem area. This promises a painless solution to all sorts of problems, from pigmentation to acne and spider veins. The treatment supposedly feels a bit like elastic bands snapping on your skin. (Ouch!) The couple of people I know who have experienced it told me that it was indeed painful and not worth the money. The jury is out though, as I’ve read some glowing reports. Do your research first before trying any new treatment.
Luckily, cosmetic scientists are hard at work, developing new products that are kinder to our skin while remaining cost effective. I have tried quite a few, and I have a few favourites.
So what’s good? Enter Lancôme’s Dream Tone (€87), a radical new approach to age spots. There are three different pigment profiles depending on your particular skin issue. The dark spot corrector is designed to correct the appearance of dark spots, uneven skin tone, and visibly correct colour irregularities while giving a beautiful glowing skin tone.
Vichy Idealia Life Serum (Great value at €34.50) is a smoothing, light-reflecting serum which is great for brightening tired skin. It also works to eliminate dark patches over time.. Available at chemists nationwide.
International bestseller Dermablend (€21.50) is a long-lasting camouflage for minor and major skin imperfections like acne scars or hyperpigmentation. It’s also brilliant for rosacea and vitiligo, and comes in as a corrective fluid or a cream-stick.
Nip+Fab Dark Spot Fix (a budget friendly €15.95) is designed to assist in the reduction of the appearance of uneven skin tone and dark spots.
The main thing is to persevere with whatever you buy. Nothing will work in a week or two, no matter what the ‘blurb’ says. Most of us give up when it hasn’t shown quick results. If I had a euro for every half-finished product consigned to the make up crematorium, I’d be rich beyond belief. Stick with it for best results.

Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.