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<\/picture><\/a>\n <\/div>\n How pigmentation marks actually form<\/h2>\n
Pigmentation marks appear when the skin produces more melanin than it needs in a particular area. Melanin is the natural pigment that gives your skin its colour and helps to protect it against harmful external influences. When pigment cells are extra active, pigment builds up locally. This shows on the surface as a darker patch of skin. What triggers this increased pigment production differs from person to person, and often determines which form of pigmentation develops.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
Sunlight is the most common cause<\/h2>\n
UV radiation is one of the main causes of pigmentation marks. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, pigment cells produce extra melanin as a natural form of protection. This mechanism works well as long as the pigment is distributed evenly. After years of sun exposure, however, pigment cells can begin to work less evenly. This leads to local build-ups that show as pigmentation marks. It also explains why pigmentation marks often appear on parts of the face that see a lot of sun, such as the cheeks, nose, temples and forehead. Daily protection with sun protection for the face<\/a> therefore remains one of the most important ways to help prevent new pigmentation.<\/p>\n For many women, hormones play an important role in the appearance of pigmentation marks. During periods when hormone levels change, pigment cells can respond more sensitively to sunlight and other triggers. We see this, for example, during:<\/p>\n – Pregnancy A well-known form of hormonal pigmentation is melasma. This tends to produce larger, symmetrical patches on the upper lip, cheeks or forehead. Hormonal changes also play a part in other skin changes. You can read more about this in how your skin changes during the menopause [How your skin changes during the menopause].<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> Not every pigmentation mark is caused by the sun. Inflammation in the skin can lead to pigmentation too. When the skin is damaged by acne, small wounds, eczema or irritation, for example, it responds with a healing process. During that process, pigment cells can become extra active, leaving dark marks behind after the original concern has already cleared. This form is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. People who regularly experience blemishes often recognise it as dark marks that remain visible after a spot has cleared. It is common in adults with acne. In recognising hormonal acne on your face<\/a> you can read more about this form of acne.<\/p>\n Pigmentation marks often become more visible as we grow older. This is not only because the skin has seen years of sun, but also because pigment cells work less evenly over time. Natural skin renewal also slows down. As a result, areas of built-up pigment stay visible for longer and fade less readily on their own. Many people think only of sunlight, but heat can affect pigment formation too. Heat stimulates certain processes in the skin that can make pigment cells more active. As a result, existing pigmentation marks can sometimes darken during:<\/p>\n – Saunas Not everyone develops pigmentation marks as quickly. Hereditary predisposition plays an important part. Some people naturally have more active pigment cells or respond more strongly to sunlight and hormonal changes. Skin type matters too. In skin that naturally contains more pigment, pigmentation marks can appear more readily and remain visible for longer. This does not mean pigmentation is inevitable, but it does mean prevention is especially important for some people.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> In practice, pigmentation rarely comes from a single factor. Different causes often reinforce one another. A common example is a woman who becomes more prone to pigmentation during the menopause, then spends a lot of time in the sun and also has skin that recovers less quickly than it used to. Acne, hormonal changes and sun exposure frequently occur together too. This is exactly why it is important to look not only at the visible pigmentation mark, but at the skin’s fuller story.<\/p>\n Because pigmentation can have different causes, there is no single solution that works for everyone. The most effective approach begins with identifying the cause. From there, you can consider protection, active ingredients and treatments that suit your situation. Ingredients such as vitamin C<\/a>, retinol<\/a> and niacinamide<\/a> are widely used to help even out the complexion and support the skin against uneven pigmentation. You can read more about this in:<\/p>\n – vitamin C for a more even and radiant complexion [Vitamin C for a more even and radiant complexion] Brightening serums<\/a> are also often an important part of a routine focused on pigmentation.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> Sometimes skincare products alone are not enough to visibly reduce pigmentation marks. Professional facial treatments <\/a>can then help to support the skin more intensively. For pigmentation, Natura Biss\u00e9 Diamond Luminous<\/a> is a popular choice. This treatment focuses on improving the skin’s radiance and supports a more even complexion. During a skin analysis, we look at which factors play a role in your pigmentation, so that a treatment better matches your skin’s needs.<\/p>\n Is sunlight always the cause of pigmentation marks?<\/strong> Can hormones cause pigmentation marks?<\/strong> Why do I get pigmentation marks after acne?<\/strong> Why do pigmentation marks often come back?<\/strong> Pigmentvlekken ontstaan niet zomaar. Hoewel veel mensen denken dat de zon de enige oorzaak is, spelen ook hormonen, huidbeschadigingen en ontstekingen een belangrijke rol. Door te begrijpen waar jouw pigmentvlekken vandaan komen, wordt het makkelijker om de juiste aanpak te kiezen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":281,"featured_media":33794,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4006,4007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-127676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-skincare-advice","category-pigmentation"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHormones can make pigment cells more active<\/h2>\n
\n– Using hormonal contraception
\n– The menopause
\n– Hormonal fluctuations throughout life<\/p>\nInflammation can leave pigmentation behind<\/h2>\n
Skin ageing also plays a part<\/h2>\n
\nThat is why we often see pigmentation alongside other signs of skin ageing, such as fine lines, a loss of firmness and a less even complexion. You can read more about this in what do you notice about these signs of skin ageing? [What do you notice about these signs of skin ageing?].<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>Heat can intensify existing pigmentation<\/h2>\n
\n– Sunny holidays
\n– Intensive sunbathing
\n– Prolonged exposure to heat
\nHormonal pigmentation in particular often responds sensitively to this.<\/p>\nWhy some people are more prone than others<\/h2>\n
Often several causes act at once<\/h2>\n
What this means for tackling pigmentation<\/h2>\n
\n– retinol for skin ageing and skin renewal [Retinol for skin ageing and skin renewal]
\n– niacinamide for redness, acne and skin recovery [Niacinamide for redness, acne and skin recovery]<\/p>\nWhen a treatment can help<\/h2>\n
Frequently asked questions about the causes of pigmentation<\/h2>\n
\nNo. Although sunlight is an important cause, hormones, inflammation, skin damage and skin ageing can also cause pigmentation marks.<\/p>\n
\nYes. During pregnancy, while using contraception and during the menopause in particular, hormones can make pigment cells more sensitive.<\/p>\n
\nInflammation can activate pigment cells. This can leave dark marks behind after a spot has cleared.<\/p>\n
\nWhen the underlying cause remains, such as sun exposure or hormonal fluctuations, pigmentation marks can form again or darken.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"