Can I Prevent Hyperpigmentation by Wearing Sunscreen?
I've worked in the Marketing Team at Adore Beauty for almost a year now and love love love skincare! I'm all about vegan products and 5 plus step skincare routines. Recently I've been growing out my coloured hair and focusing on strength/length with hair masks and treatments.
Sunscreen is the most cost-effective anti-ageing cream available to you. Its benefits seem to know no bounds. It's quick to work, and you can enjoy its protection whether you're 5 or 50.
You know sun protection can help you avoid fine lines and wrinkles. Find out whether sunscreens and sunblocks can prevent hyperpigmentation as well.
Check out the video below as Dr Michelle Rodrigues explains the difference between Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Post-Inflammatory Erythema, and gives us tips on how to treat each condition
What is hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation describes any darkened spots or patches of skin. Almost everybody produces melanin for general skin pigmentation, or colour.
The prefix 'hyper-' means 'above' or 'excessive'.
There are four types of hyperpigmentation, with somewhat different causes:
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: caused by acne or skin injury
- Age spots: brought on by ageing pigmentation cells
- Melasma: a consequence of hormonal changes
- Freckles: an effect of sun exposure
You may have noticed that just one condition is caused by sun exposure.
However, this cursory list doesn't fully explain the sun's role in hyperpigmentation.
To understand this, we need to dig a little deeper.
The relationship between sun exposure and hyperpigmentation
Sunlight is a combination of many kinds of light. Each type of light initiates biological processes in your body.
For example, UV light has two predominant effects on the skin:
- UV light induces the manufacture and redistribution of melanin—also known as a 'tan'.
- UV light promotes the ageing of all types of skin cells, including the cells that produce melanin.
This is important to understand because sun exposure has a knock-on effect on all types of hyperpigmentation. For example:
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can be exaggerated through sun exposure or even caused by severe sun damage.
- Age spots can be hastened by the ageing effects of UV light.
- The brown mask of melasma may be intensified by the melanin promotion of UV light.
The bottom line: all forms of hyperpigmentation can be promoted by exposure to UV light.
That's why part of the solution is to simply apply sun protection 365 days a year. Also, its important to remember, sunscreen is only one part of sun protection, prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided and frequent re-application or use in accordance with directions is required for effective sun protection
Why sun protection is effective at preventing hyperpigmentation
Sun protection works by preventing energetic UV light from interacting with your skin.
It does this in two ways:
- By blocking UV light from reaching your skin, e.g. physical filters such as zinc oxide (sunblocks)
- By reacting with UV light and dampening its energy, e.g. chemical filters such as octocrylene (sunscreens)
Both sunscreens and sunblocks can help prevent the appearance hyperpigmentation.
Here are a few of our favourites:
Aspect Envirostat On The Go SPF 50 75ml
Help protect your skin with Aspect Envirostat SPF 50, a high-performance chemical sunscreen that helps provides UVA, UVB, and antioxidant protection. This lightweight, dry-touch sunscreen has a non-sticky and non-greasy formula that can be used as a face cream and as a body lotion. It’s free of fragrances and mineral oils, offering high broad-spectrum protection in a UV-stabilised formula.
Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF 50 156ml
Help protect your skin during your favourite outdoor activities with Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF 50. This unique, antioxidant-rich formula is non-greasy, water-resistant, and provides broad-spectrum protection to help keep your skin protected from sun damage.
Gone are the days of sunscreen that stings your eyes and smells like chemicals. Queen Screen is on the scene. With a serum-like texture, Ultra Violette Queen Screen is lightweight so can be worn under your makeup or on it's own. Plus, it's Australian made and owned and cruelty free!
Dermalogica did more than bump up the SPF in this reformulation. The new formula is packed with anti-aging powerhouses like Antioxidants and Collagen Peptides to keep skin healthy, smooth, and help minimise triggers of visible skin-aging. Smooth and silky without the tacky finish, this moisturiser can be worn on its own or beneath makeup.
Remember that UVA rays are the same strength all year round, and their effects are silent for a long time. Wear sun protection diligently, and your skin will be safe from the appearance of premature fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Find sun protection formulas in our sunscreen store, where you're sure to find the perfect product for your unique skin needs and remember, sunscreen is only one part of sun protection, prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided and frequent re-application or use in accordance with directions is required for effective sun protection
