Pigment disorders
In cosmetics, pigment disorders refer to small areas of skin with higher or lower concentrations of melanin. These include freckles, age spots and moles.
Pigment disorders are usually harmless
It often happens in spring, when the first rays of sunshine pamper our skin and, almost overnight, ‘brown spots’ appear. Pigment disorders are usually harmless and are simply a sign of ageing. And that is precisely the reason. A study conducted some time ago (2006) by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute in Vienna found that skin with an uneven complexion is estimated to be 10-12 years older than skin with a ‘flawless complexion’.
Age spots are often the result of unprotected sunbathing in the past and usually appear from the age of 40 on the face, décolleté, hands and forearms. Age spots are not dangerous, but should be examined regularly as part of a skin screening. Sometimes these pigment disorders can degenerate and take on an irregular shape, which can then mutate into dangerous skin cancer.
What types of pigment disorders are there?
Dermatologists distinguish between six different types of pigmentation disorders.
Moles: limited, benign pigmentation disorder, usually congenital
Depigmentation: light spots on the skin, with few or no melanin-producing cells remaining in the skin
Freckles: small reddish or yellowish spots resulting from excess pigment production, usually only affecting people with fair, sensitive skin
Age spots: accumulation of the metabolic product lipofuscin. Skin cells are no longer able to break it down
Chloasma: patchy brown discolouration caused by hormonal fluctuations (e.g. during pregnancy or the menopause)
Post-inflammatory pigment spots: accumulation of melanin as a result of inflammation, irritation or injury to the skin.
Treatment of pigmentation disorders
Anyone suffering from pigmentation disorders should use products with high UV protection (face creams with SPF 30 and sunscreen products with SPF 50+ when on holiday) to prevent further spots from developing. The quickest method is to cover them with a suitable foundation and light-reflecting pigments. With the right skin tone, a lightly tinted CC cream (Colour Correction Cream) can be used to achieve an even skin tone and cover all unsightly pigmentation disorders.
Special products with lightening ingredients such as resorcinol, lumicinol, ellagic acid or salicylic acid can lighten areas with pigmentation disorders. Natural active ingredients such as vitamin C and watercress extract can also gently lighten these brown spots and even out the skin tone. However, these treatments take a long time and the first results are only visible after 8-12 weeks.
Those who are more impatient can book laser treatments with a dermatologist, whose special wavelengths destroy the pigment in the skin. Afterwards, consistent and high sun protection is essential, otherwise further damage to the skin will occur.
If you would like to offer products to cover or treat pigmentation disorders, please contact us.
Discover the private label products for the Whitening Line from our partner Tojo Cosmetics GmbH – you can complete your own product line professionally and effectively in no time at all.
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