You ask, we answer!
09 Dec 2010 17:00 PM |
Posted by Editor
When you ask the questions, we make sure we answer! So when Hooha and Emj1997 expressed their concerns about pigmentation and freckles, we got in touch with Neutrogena Expert and Dermatologist, Professor Greg Goodman, to get his advice. Here’s what he had to say…
Q: Hi, I am in my early forties with quite a bit of pigmentation emerging. Are there any products you would recommend to combat this? – Hooha
A: It really depends on whether the pigmentation presents itself as spots, or like a rash. If they are spots they will need inspection and/or treatment at your doctor's surgery. If however, it is a brown rash referred to as ‘melasma’, which is a hormonal and sunshine induced form of pigmentation, then you can use over-the-counter products that contain bleaching ingredients. These include liquorice extract, arbutin, niacinamide, and azelaic acid.
Bh recommends: Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector
Q: Hello, I have quite a few freckles all over my nose/face that I absolutely HATE! I am aware that there are options to remove them (such as lasering, peeling etc) but my Mum is not keen on this idea! Is there anything I could possibly do to get rid of the freckles, they make me terribly self-conscious? - Emj1997
A: Unfortunately there is nothing really that can be done about freckles without lasers or chemical peels, as lightening creams are not all that effective in this respect. The best thing you could do is to avoid sun as much as possible and wear a high SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen, as your freckles are an attempt by your skin to tan.
Bh recommends: Neutrogena Healthy Defence SPF 30+
Do you have pigmentation and/or freckles? What, if anything, do you believe helps to make them less noticeable?
Member Comments
(33)
Posted by:
beautyqueen95♥
(Australia)
Concealer, but normally foundation cover my freckles (somewhat). Never tried anything to remove them though.
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 5:17pm)
Posted by:
Chicklet
(Member since 2008, Australia)
Despite years of doing the right thing I've never really been able to get rid of my freckles from my childhood - especially on my arms - which are covered. I actually find that using fake tan helps blend them in and gives me a more even colour and less freckly look.
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 5:31pm)
Posted by:
Zompea
(Australia)
I don't have freckles but recently many of my new acne scars are becoming pigmented. I've found that the application of Trilogy's Rose Hip Oil helps fade the pigmention as well as control my oily skin :)
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 6:24pm)
Posted by:
Serena86
(Australia)
I've been really luck so far. I don't have any pigmentation and only a few freckles on my arms, none on my face. My mum has a few of those melasma's pop up on the side of her face and she absolutely hates them. She tries to cover them up with concealer, foundation etc but it doesn't really work. Big thankyou to BH and Greg because before reading the article I didn't know there was anything you could do to make them less noticeable. I'm going to buy the Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector for my mum for xmas.
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 6:28pm)
Posted by:
Elunia
(Australia)
I am also very self conscious about my freckles. The only thing that I have noticed that helps with reducing the amount I have is by wearing sunscreen and keeping my skin covered when I am in the sun. It takes a long time but eventually the number of freckles reduces but there are just some freckles that will never leave. Depending how dark the freckles are I just use foundation or concealer to hide the ones on my face.
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 7:08pm)
Posted by:
pepsilid
(Member since 2007, Australia)
I have trouble with freckles, but I've found if I wear foundation with bronzer they aren't as noticeable. They are mainly on my cheeks and nose and the bronzer on my cheeks works a treat, and I just use some mineral powder over my nose. This is the best I have come up with.
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 7:33pm)
Posted by:
Nidhi1
(Australia)
I do have a black spot on my cheek and I am not sure whether it will be considered as pigmentation..
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 7:39pm)
Posted by:
Stay C
(Australia)
I have a bit of pigmentation which is partly hormonal, the pill can have a huge effect, and partly caused by pimple marks and mild scarring. I have used Priori CoffeeBerry Brightening Facial Complex which I found to be excellent for evening out my skin tone as well as brightening, while it is very expensive it does last quite a long time so it's more economical than it seem. I've used the Clinique mentioned above and it helped a little but not a lot so yesterday I purchased a set from Clarins called White Plus which includes a pearl-to-cream brightening cleanser, whitening soft aqua milk and whitening moisture day emulsion. If I'm happy with the results then I'll invest in the intensive whitening smoothing serum as well.
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 8:25pm)
Posted by:
scentsation
(Member since 2008, Australia)
I have plenty of pigmentation, I really wish I had have used sunscreen when I was younger. I'm using a serum that seems to be fading the pigmentation slowly. I so wish there was a quicker fix, I'd be willing to try just about anything.
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 8:36pm)
Posted by:
SimSta
(Australia)
Yes I do! I have alot of pigmentation on my face and I can't stand it! They're everywhere. Sunscreen is a must for me - I don't want anymore brown spots! :(
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 8:43pm)
Posted by:
Annyex.
(Australia)
I have a few but they are small yet dark, i hope to lighten them with products, they do get in the way since I want to achieve a flawless look..
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 8:51pm)
Posted by:
beautydiva8
(Australia)
hmm... ok - thanks guys!! :)
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 9:03pm)
Posted by:
katshepsutt
(Australia)
I tried lemon juice and lightening creams on my facial freckles when I was younger, but they never really go away unless you live in the polar regions (no thanks!). Here in Oz a good sunscreen is your best bet, a little fake tan on the bod makes them far less noticeable, and with the right shade of foundation, they're only visible at close range...
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 9:07pm)
Posted by:
thewhimsicalone
(Australia)
I also have tried lemon juice, but it hasn't seemed to work. I guess I'll have to live with it and invest in a good sunscreen.
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 9:52pm)
Posted by:
GoddessMagick
(Member since 2007, Australia)
I have pigmentation and freckles! My pigmentation is primarily hormonal and sun damage and I have found that the Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector helped minmise my pigmentation quite well. Mine are quite heavy so lighter is the most I hope for as I doubt they will ever totally be removable. As for my freckles I dont try to cover them up, they are part of me so I work with them rather than try to hide them.
Posted on:
December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 10:55pm)
Posted by:
Shopaholicshell
(Australia)
I have a few freckles which I don't mind. I have pigmnentation already in my mid 20's from acne scarring and also some brown pigmentation on my forehead which I'm told has come about from being on the pill.
I have been using Ultraceutical Even Skintone Serum and
DDF Glycolic 10% Exfoliating Oil Control Gel http://www.ddfskincare.com/p-39-ddf-glycolic-10-exfoliating-oil-control-gel-17-oz-48-g.aspx which are glycolics as well as Ultraceuticals Ultra A sheer facial cream (thanks to Melmeko for introducing me to ultraceuticals and for the recent swap of some U/C goodies!! xo) and have been receiving good reults. This in conjunction with the ocassional professional treatment of microdermabrasion, peels and IPL is all working nicely.
I have considered Clinique's even better range however have heard it's not the best for oily/acne prone skins as it can exacerbate the acne production.... has anyone with oily/acne prone skin used the even better range with good results?
Posted on:
December 10, 2010 (Dec 10, 2010 11:06am)
Posted by:
Katbickies
(Australia)
wow i thought those creams would at least help freckles, you live and learn.
Posted on:
December 10, 2010 (Dec 10, 2010 12:58pm)
Posted by:
Evanescencessy
(Australia)
I don't have freckles but I do have a lot of dark tiny moles or beauty spots and I can't really conceal them =(
Posted on:
December 10, 2010 (Dec 10, 2010 1:29pm)
Posted by:
kireina
(Australia)
Regularly exfoliating and using rosehip oil at night, then using max SPF every single day as well as covering up with a wide-brimmed hat if going to be outside in full sun.
I've also had one Omnilux treatment combined with Priori Coffeeberry products, which brightened my skin but was very expensive even with a 50% discount voucher I was lucky enough to grab from a mag.
Posted on:
December 10, 2010 (Dec 10, 2010 2:34pm)
Posted by:
Hooha
(Australia)
Thanks Professor Goodman and BH for this informative answer. I think mine fall into both categories unfortunately :-( I have started microdermabrasion and serum with my beautician so will see how that goes. I have a feeling I will be making friends with the laser as well eventually. Never mind, at least my skin is brighter looking and has its glow back. In the meantime, my best cover up options are Lucy Minerals for powder foundation and Kryolan TV paint stick for a more liquid style one.
Posted on:
December 10, 2010 (Dec 10, 2010 3:56pm)
Posted by:
Emzaau
(Australia)
I do all that I can to stay out of the sun, wear sunscreen everyday and avoid sunbathing. I use AHA and retinol products plus serums rich in antioxidants. When I wear makeup the pigmentation isn't noticeable so that's all I can do for now.
When I'm a bit older I will definitely want to try an intensive course of IPL photo rejuvenation.
Posted on:
December 10, 2010 (Dec 10, 2010 4:38pm)
Posted by:
emilyhollywood
(Australia)
Yup I've started getting larger freckles/pigmentation on my forehead. I've stepped up my sun protection since but will be looking into getting them zapped in the new year!
Posted on:
December 10, 2010 (Dec 10, 2010 6:08pm)
Posted by:
Chickybabe1
(Australia)
Very informative, thanks for the info :)
Posted on:
December 10, 2010 (Dec 10, 2010 9:04pm)
Posted by:
Svetlanaz
(Australia)
i've never tried to get rid of them but if i want them to be less noticable, i use a tinted moisturiser
Posted on:
December 11, 2010 (Dec 11, 2010 11:32am)
Posted by:
melmeko
(Member since 2007, Australia)
I highly recommend Medik8 White Balance for pigmentation this stuff is the bomb, far better than Even Skin Tone Serum and some of the others I have tried :)
Posted on:
December 11, 2010 (Dec 11, 2010 8:09pm)
Comment on this article
Posted by: beautyqueen95♥ (Australia)
Concealer, but normally foundation cover my freckles (somewhat). Never tried anything to remove them though.
Posted on: December 09, 2010 (Dec 9, 2010 5:17pm)