Pigment spots explained by Ludivine, our R&D manager

Our expert Ludivine sheds light on the formation of pigmentation spots and the best solutions for fading them.

Can you explain what pigmentation spots are exactly?

A pigmentation spot is an area of the skin where there is a phenomenon of hyperpigmentation: an excessive concentration of melanin, the pigment that naturally colors the skin. Spots can be darker or darker, more or less extensive on the skin, and of different shapes.

What's the main cause of their appearance?

One of the main causes of dark spots is sun exposure. In fact, UV rays activate cells called melanocytes, which produce the melanin responsible for skin coloration. This explains the tanning effect.

As we age, melanocytes function less well and can produce melanin in an anarchic way, under the effect of the sun, and this is how spots appear.

What are the main types of pigmentation spots?

| In the superficial layers of the skin

First of all, there are the spots caused by exposure to the sun, known as solar lentigos. They are mainly located on the face, hands and arms.

There are also freckles, which are genetic and also stimulated by the sun.

Finally, there are the so-called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation spots: these are spots that appear after skin lesions such as acne, exema, burns... This is due to the fact that the skin will produce an increased quantity of melanin to protect the area where the skin has been weakened.

| Deeper into the skin

Age spots, known as senile lentigos, appear with age as a result of years of sun exposure.

There can be a very specific type of blotch called melasma. These are diffuse, symmetrical spots often visible on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. These spots appear as a result of hormones when taking contraceptives, or during or after pregnancy.

Pigment spots ENEOMEY

At what age do these spots usually begin to appear?

This will depend on our genetics, hormones and sun exposure habits. Of course, hormonal spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can appear at any age.

| Between 20 and 30

The first sun spots can begin to appear as a result of exposure to the sun, especially if no sun protection is used: these are known as solar lentigos.

| From 40-50ans

The effects of skin aging are becoming increasingly visible, and dark spots will become more pronounced and frequent with sun exposure, especially on fair skins. These are age spots or senile lentigos.

What treatments are available to reduce or eliminate pigmentation spots?

This depends on the depth of the spot.

| For deep, old stains

We recommend chemical peels, a technique recognized by dermatologists and aesthetic physicians. They reduce or even eliminate pigmentation spots.

The keratolytic action of the acids mechanically removes pigmented cells from the skin's surface. It also refines the stratum corneum, facilitating the penetration of depigmenting ingredients capable of regulating melanin production in the skin.

| For superficial stains

We recommend the use of dermo-cosmetic skin care products, formulated with the same active ingredients as peels, but in lower doses, for regular use at home.

What's more, using these treatments in combination with aesthetic procedures such as peels can enhance their results and improve their effectiveness.

Which Laboratoire ENEOMEY skincare products do you recommend?

At ENEOMEY, we recommend the depigmenting program.

It combines 4 synergistic treatments with delicate, sensorial textures to act on blemishes.

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First of all, I recommend starting your cosmetics routine by cleansing your skin with SOFT CLEANSER. It's a pearly cream gel formulated with 4% glycolic acid to gently cleanse and stimulate the skin. It provides a radiance-boosting peeling effect, preparing the skin for the application of other skin care products to optimize their effects.

Then, I recommend applying DAYLIGHT C20 every morning, our day care/serum that combines antioxidant vitamin C, depigmenting phytic acid and stimulating glycolic acid for a truly unifying effect and radiance booster.

For the evening, LIGHT RENEW GEL is a skincare gel inspired by our peeling technology, concentrated in keratolytic fruit acids and depigmenting active ingredients to lighten existing spots and prevent all types of spots.

Last but not least, SUNLIGHT SCREEN 50+ is our must-have sun cream, protecting skin from the appearance of new spots thanks to its anti-UVA, UVB, infrared and blue light technology.

Which active ingredients in the ENEOMEY depigmenting range are most effective in treating blemishes?

According to our expertise, it is necessary to combine keratolytic active ingredients such as glycolic acid to eliminate pigmented cells on the skin's surface, with active ingredients such as phytic acid or Lumilight peptide to act on the skin's pigmentation mechanism.

Can you explain how Lumilight works?

Lumilight is able to act at all levels of the causes of the appearance of spots:

- It blocks the messages between the cells on the skin's surface that react to UV rays and the cells that produce pigmentation in response to this stimulation.

- It also blocks the enzymes that trigger the melanin synthesis reaction.

- Finally, it is able to prevent the transport of melanin produced deep in the skin to surface cells.