The Nitrogen Family Elements at a Glance

Author: Linda Fournier
Source: articleage.com

First and foremost I want to start by emphasizing that it can take quite a while to get rid of discoloration! It can take months to years! You will have to be patient and consistent!
Ingredients that will help fade spots include Vitamin A, Kinetin, AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), Azelic Acid, Kojic Acid, Vitamin C, Mulberry Extracts, Saxifrage Extracts, Algae, Licorice Root and so on…. and of course Hydroquinone (a synthetic skin lightening ingredient)available in strength of 2% OR 4% . Each ingredient has its strengths and weaknesses.
The most widely used and frequently prescribed ingredient is hydroquinone though contreversial. Hydroquinone is stronger than ingredients such as vitamin C and the ones listed above so works quicker. Hydroquinone is a more agressive and fastest way to treat discoloration and for some too strong so alternative products (above) may be for you. Do not abuse or overuse hydroquinone because it can eventually lead to skin lightening called hypopigmentation.(white spots) . If you chose hydroquinone, limit its use to four to six months and stop using the product once the desired result is achieved, making sure to use sunscreen when you are outside or they will return.
I prefer going the natural way with antioxidants and ingredients above such as AHA, retinol, kojic acid and so on. But you do what feels right for you!
It is normal for the skin to get worse before it gets better. Pigmentation that can not be seen with the naked eye during the treatment may be pulled to the surface as will other impurities in the skin so making it seem that your spots are getting worst or that you have more of them but keep it up and the skin will start to improve shortly thereafter.
The topical synthetic lightening treatments will lighten quickly but will not permanently alleviate the problem, every time one is exposed to UV radiation, the pigmentation will return – the cells will turn darker with each exposure…… that is why I prefer the more natural way…. meaning the use of natural extracts such as mulberry which you can find in Dr. Renaud celeste serum and other vitamins mentionned above which you can find in Dr. Renaud Pro-Retinol Serum, Pure serum, Bio-Lift Vitamin A cream and so on……, you can visit my website for more information on these products. I like rotating the serums… I beleive that natural ingredients get to the source of the problem wich are clustered melanocytes instead of a temporary solution as many synthetic ingredients do – while this approach does not lighten quickly but will have long term lasting effect by blocking the skin’s reaction to the sun and prevent hyperpigment with future sun exposure – however minimal that exposure is. It is a good idea to start of the treatment with exfoliation, peelings and facials if possible…. it will work quicker…. but please be patient – the results will vary from person to person depending on the damage, age, your skin’s metabolic rate. Some will see results right away and then will stall and see no progress but don’t give up this is a natural occurance….. – the dermis varies in depth from person to person….
Hyperpigmentation results when the melanocytes produce too much melanin, usually from too much sun exposure, although pregnancy, hormones, birth control pills, trauma to the skin by overusing certain products or getting agressive peels, from acne, picking your face, products containing fragrance or perfumes can also cause hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone and other lightening products work by breaking up the melanin, until it is too small to be seen with the naked eye. It is then brought to the surface of the skin and sloughed off.
Discoloration can also be produced as a way of the skin protecting itself!!!!!!! I beleive if you heal the skin with natural products then wonderful things will happen to your skin…..
During pregnancy many changes may occur to our skins – some my develop acneic skin – some discolorations called pregnancy mask… these changes are natural due to the hormonal changes occuring in the body…. I suggest that you take care of your skin by doing your regular skincare regimen, use good products and visit your esthetician if this is possible for you and keep your skin healthy which will then minimize these conditions…. postponing more agressive or long term treatment for your discoloration or acne till the baby is born….. During pregnancy is an important time for pampering and taking care of oneself!!!!
L. Fournier

Professional Esthetician,

http://www.ellesestheticstudio.com

Author: Debra Tan
Source: articleage.com

A glossy golden brown tan to set off toned limbs – that’s the stuff which the young fashion-conscious dreams are made of. The pursuit of that bronzed, sun-kissed look has led to an influx of sun worshippers in bikinis, board shorts, and bare chests congregating at the beaches. But just how much do they know about the dangers associated with excessive sun exposure?
A lot of youths are adventurous, fun loving and are passionate about sports. This may just cause them to overlook the necessity of proper sun protection. While many outdoor sports like soccer, wakeboarding, windsurfing etc are undoubtedly beneficial to health, the risks of excessive sun exposure to the participants are also very real.
Sun Damage
The sun emits 3 types of ultraviolet (UV) rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. Only UVA and UVB rays reach the earth’s surface because UVC is filtered out by the ozone layer.
UVA penetrates deeply into the skin and triggers the production of melanin, which is a pigment in our body that causes skin to tan. UVB primarily affects the skin’s outer layer and causes sunburn. UV rays are thought to be responsible for chronic photo-aging (cluster of skin conditions like hyper pigmentation, wrinkles and sagging skin), and skin cancer.
Sunburn is one of the short-term damages of sun exposure. It ranges from redness and pain to redness and swelling, and in some serious cases, blisters can occur.
Frequent sunburns have been associated with increased risks of getting skin cancers. There are 3 common types of skin cancers: squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and malignant melanoma.
Most SCC and BCC cases are caused by chronic exposure to sunlight. These tumors appear most commonly on sun-exposed areas like the face, hands, back, shoulders and lower lip. SCC tumors are irregular and fleshy growths that can enlarge and break down into ulcers.
BCC tumors are often shiny and pigmented, with raised borders. The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) in New York, USA, estimates that some 800,000 and 200,000 Americans suffer from BCC and SCC annually respectively.
Malignant melanoma is cancer of the skin’s pigment cells. It may form in pre-existing moles, where pigmentation is heavily concentrated. The tumors are presented as large, thick and colored (red, blue or black) patches that grow rapidly, with irregular outlines. The SCF estimates that about 51,000 new cases of malignant melanoma are reported annually in the USA.
On a less fatal note, exposure to bright light can also trigger migraines and headaches, for up to 24 hours. Melasma is another UV-related skin disorder characterized by symmetrical brown pigmentation patches in UV-exposed areas and affects women 90% of the time.
Block Out the Sun
Much as knowledge of sun exposure dangers is important, knowing how to minimize risks is even more essential. Techniques to minimize damage from sun rays can be divided into those to do with behavior and those to do with fabrics.
Behavior wise, sun-lovers can refrain from carrying out high-risk activities between 10am and 4pm, when the sun’s rays are the strongest. On a general note, try to keep in the shade while going about normal activities.
Fabrics that are sun-protective have tight weaves and are dark-colored. To test for a tight weave, hold the garment about 7 inches from your eyes towards a light source. If visible light can penetrate holes between the threads, so can UV rays. Dark colors absorb harmful UV rays better than light-colored clothes and hence protect the skin better.
To protect the face, sunscreen is essential, preferably one with at least Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 20. Reliable brands include Sunkiller, La Roche-Posay and Coppertone. If sun exposure time is expected to be long, then a sunscreen of higher SPF of 45 or 60 is recommended. One often-neglected directive is to reapply sunscreen frequently throughout the day, as sweat or friction may have washed it away. For the eyes, sunglasses with UV-protective coating are advised.
Alternative Tones
Fashion-conscious youths who covet a tan but are afraid of increasing their skin cancer risks have started to frequent tanning salons. This misguided attempt only reduces the incidence of sunburn and not skin cancer, warns Dr Wong, an associate consultant dermatologist with the National Skin Centre of Singapore.
“In fact, by going to tanning salons, you are exposed to unnecessary excessive UVA, which may increase your risk of getting skin cancer as it is primarily UVA-mediated.”
One relatively harmless alternative to sun tanning is to use self-tanning lotions. These contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which reacts with proteins in dead skin cells on the skin surface to result in brown pigmentation, which becomes the tan. While self-tanning lotions, like other topical products, have been known to cause skin irritation, no adverse long-term effects have been recorded.
As we welcome the warm, sunny weather, do keep in mind the relevant risks and precautions. Being cautious when young may just save you lots of heartache and pain in later years.
Debra Tan is a senior product development consultant at ~SkinWhite Research Labs. Equipped with a team of experienced cosmeceutical researchers, SkinWhite Research Labs is a company that specializes in the formulation of skin whitening products that help to rectify sunburn and pigmentation problems. Please visit their official website for more information on sunscreen and how to protect your skin from sunburn.