When summer ends, noticeable reminders of time spent in the sun appear in the form of visible brown patches, redness and even a sallowness in the skin. These are all evidence of the sun’s aging effects on our skin.
Sun exposure can trigger sun spots (also known as age spots) and make existing spots appear darker. These distinct patches show up on areas of the skin that are typically most exposed to the sun – face, neck, décolleté, and hands. They vary from light yellow to dark brown in color and are most visible in lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick I-III).1
Sun exposure can also worsen the appearance of breakouts and hyperpigmentation, especially in those with darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV-VI).2
Spots of discoloration in the skin are often a consequence from breakouts. Photo-damage may also present as redness, yellowness and sallowness of the skin and often accompanies the more well-known brown patches or discoloration that appear in hyperpigmentation.
Come Fall, we encourage a visit to a dermatologist or aesthetician, especially if you have concerns about new brown, red and yellow remnants of summer on your skin. In the meantime, we offer several ways to help you achieve a brighter, more even skin tone following increased sun exposure.
BRIGHTEN UP!
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Even Tone Correcting Serum
Even Tone Correcting Serum is a lightweight, skin tone serum that breaks up the appearance of hyperpigmentation to reveal beautiful, more even-toned skin. This ground-breaking, non-hydroquinone, non-retinol, serum targets brown spots, redness, yellowness, and overall tone, with our patented b.r.y.t complex. With twice-daily use, Even Tone Correcting Serum can deliver a dramatic reduction in the appearance of hyperpigmentation and an improvement in the visible redness and yellowness that often occurs in sun damaged skin. This approach makes it an effective option for people of varying skin types who are struggling with the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
AFTER 12 WEEKS TWICE-DAILY USE
Unretouched clinical photography. Individual results may vary.
+ Brings together an optimal blend of multi-functional ingredients that helps brighten and even the appearance of skin.
+ Brightens and improves the appearance of yellowing that often accompanies the look of hyperpigmentation in certain skin types.
INCORPORATE A RETINOID
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Using a retinoid in the evening is an ideal complement to a skin brightener and AlphaRet Overnight Cream is Even Tone Correcting Serum’s perfect partner. AlphaRet is a 10X Award-Winner and for good reason. Its distinguishing feature is its ability to deliver a retinoid and an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA, lactic acid) combination that delivers impressive, clinically-proven results, but without the irritation commonly associated with combining these two ingredients.
For additional skin rejuvenating benefits, consider adding an exfoliation step 1-3 times a week with AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads. These conveniently wrapped, single-use pads feature AlphaRet Retinoid Technology and a proprietary triple-acid complex (glycolic, lactic and salicylic) to improve the appearance of skin smoothness, clarity, lines, and wrinkles.
DON’T FORGET SUNSCREEN
A broad-spectrum sunscreen is your first line of defense against sun damage and can play a significant role in helping reduce your risk of skin cancer if used as directed with other sun protection measures. Recent studies have shown that blue light (in addition to UVA/UVB) can contribute to hyperpigmentation.3
The sunbetter collection offers serious protection against premature skin aging in elegant cosmetic formulations. There are five forms to choose from so that you can select the one that you love and best fits your lifestyle. Our patented Advanced Mineral Protection (AMP) has benefits beyond UV including blue light. Iron oxides, found in many foundation and tinted sunscreens including sunbetter TONE SMART SPF 75 and sunbetter TONE SMART SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact, are one of the ingredient types, in addition to antioxidants, that help defend against the visible effects of blue light.4
A FEW ADDITIONAL TAKEAWAYS
Due to the retinoid contained in AlphaRet Overnight Cream and AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads, they should only be used in the evening. Using a product that contains AHAs, like AlphaRet Overnight Cream and AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads, may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Because of this, it’s advisable to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterward. It’s also important to note that because AlphaRet Overnight Cream and AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads contain a retinoid in a topical form, please consult a physician before use if you are pregnant, lactating or planning to become pregnant.
REFERENCES FOR THIS INFORMATION:
1 Plensdorf S, et al. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(2):109-116.
2 Kundu, R and Patterson S. Am Fam Physician. 2013;87(12):850-856.
3 Mahmoud B et al. J Invest Dermatol. 2010;130(8):2092-2097.
4 Wortzman M, Nelson DB. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Apr;20(4):1160-1165
