If you happen to’re fascinated by the world of beauty, you will have to begin somewhere. Along the way in which, it’s easy to get swept up in the most recent social media skincare and makeup trends out of your favorite influencers. Trust me, as a beauty editor, my skin has seen all of it. That’s why we want to emphasise proper education, especially in terms of what we placed on our skin and hair. 

For example, I used to be so concerned with putting the most recent foundation product on my skin within the 2010s, and it wasn’t until my early 20s that I spotted the importance of wearing sunscreen. Growing up within the South, SPF wasn’t a hot topic, and plenty of Black people, including myself, thought we didn’t need it. This misconception led to my ongoing battle with hypopigmentation.

By the point I turned 25, I used to be completely immersed within the skincare industry. I used to be passionately telling everyone how crucial it’s to uncover your loved ones’s history and relationship with skin because lots of our issues are genetic. I used to be also on a mission to spread the excellent news in regards to the importance of wearing sunscreen and the way it could solve lots of our skincare concerns. Little did I do know, my very own skin would reveal a condition I never thought existed until the pandemic began in 2020.

In that point, all of us needed to take self-care seriously, resulting in numerous experimenting with different products, suggestions, and tricks—myself included! I struggle with eczema on my cheeks, around my mouth, and on my arms. The “maskne” only made things worse, causing what I assumed was hyperpigmentation. By 2022, I had tried every dark spot product available on the market to clear it up. While my skin mostly returned to its pre-pandemic state, a number of stubborn spots remained. This led me to finally visit a dermatologist to resolve it.

Inside minutes of my examination, my doctor quickly diagnosed me with hypopigmentation. She assured me it was nothing to fret about. In my case, it was brought on by unaddressed sunburns and using products that didn’t suit my skin type.

Ahead, learn what causes Hypopigmentation and the way you’ll be able to treat it. 

Why does hypopigmentation form?

“Hypopigmentation is a medical term for when the skin produces less pigment, leading to lighter patches,” Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jeanine Downie explains “It could be more noticeable on Black skin and may be brought on by a lot of aspects. These aspects range from eczema and pimples breakouts, sunburns, scrapes and blisters and genetic or chronic conditions.”

Is hypopigmentation preventable?

Though we like to depend on social media to get insight on methods to correct our skin concerns, Dr. Downie advises that there’s no universal option to prevent hypopigmentation. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to incorporate protective measures equivalent to using an SPF of 30 or above, light-based therapies, and laser treatments from a board certified dermatologist.

Best practices for coping with hypopigmentation

Hypopigmentation is irreversible, but for the very best assessment and to receive a tailored approach to your skin, Dr. Downie, along with avoiding getting your medical advice from social media, suggests the next:

See a dermatologist: It is necessary to satisfy together with your dermatologist for a correct consultation. This fashion, knowledgeable can assist provide you with an individualized assessment and show you how to control your skin condition.

Protect from the sun: Limit sun exposure and use sunscreen with no less than SPF 30 to forestall darkening of surrounding skin. It’s also possible to wear clothing that covers lighter skin areas.

Moisturize: Apply moisturizer to forestall dryness and itchiness.

Care for your skin: Wash your skin repeatedly, exfoliate, and treat pimples and other skin issues straight away.

Consider vitamin C: Vitamin C can assist hypopigmentation in damaged skin by protecting cells and helping form collagen. You possibly can take vitamin C as a complement or apply it on to your skin.