how do you treat dark spots?

[kitanaX]

most women over 35 experiences dark spots on their face - particularly underneath their eyes and above the cheeks... what are some GOOD non-surgical alternatives in treating these dark spots? any brand/type of face lotion recommendations?

 

[CaraAmericana]

I could be wrong but doesn't MAC have a line called Lightful for this pupose??

 

[frocher]

Any lotion with hydroquinone will work to lighten spots.

 

[GertiL]

a lotion with hydroquinone and/or AHA, For prevention you could use a vitamin C serum, like skinceuticals C + E ferulic. I buy samples from ebay. Also (this is a 'must') use good sunscreen with high spf and ppd (protection against UVA).

 

[SparklingWaves]

I would go to the dermatologist and get a prescription that would sufficiently treat the spots.

 

[kyoto]

Take a look at Peter Thomas Roth skincare. I use it and love it. Its one of the stronger lines, but it does work to get rid of dark spots. I currently use his sensitive skin cleansing gel, glycolic acid 10% hydrating gel, pumpkin enzyme peel (smells good enough to eat, seriously), and Oxygen detoxifying mask. I have an illness that causes lesions on my skin and this is the only line that comes close to making my skin appear normal. I also have a n.v. perricone alpha lipoic acid nutritive cleanser w/DMAE. I thought it would be a good idea to add his products where I can, since he seems to know so much about skin. Before my illness was diagnosed my esthetician used only Peter Thomas Roth and I'm not kidding you I think it helped minimize my problems. Give it a try if you can and give it at least 1 month to see some results. HTH.

 

[kitanaX]

got it. i am definately going to a sephora with a list

 

[kyoto]

Oh and one thing I forgot to mention, he has a product with Kojic Acid and I think its called something lightening gel. Kojic Acid is specifically for lightening dark spots, so look for that. I have one from DDF called Intensive Kojic Serum. Its old, so I don't really use it and need to go back to Sephora to pick up another. I'll more than likely pick up Peter Thomas Roth, since I'm using his other products. I believe all the high end skin care lines will have at least one product in their line with Kojic Acid, so you'll have plenty to choose from.

 

[(:KrIsTy:)]

Mama Lotion

 

[Kiseki]

Look at Neostrata creams, I like them a lot.

 

[Kuuipo]

I have been using Peter Thomas Roth for a couple years now and its made all the difference in the world! I found the gentle formula works even better than the "potent formula". Potent has salcylic acid and hydroquinine-better for youner skin, the gentle has glycolic acid and hydroquinine. Use it once a day. Avoid putting cremes or lotions on top because different ingrediants and pH's can disable some of the ingrediants. They are both thin clear gels that will not bleach the pillow case.

 

[Kuuipo]

Kojic acid alone has never been proven to lighten pigmentation. It is a supplement in many products with hydroquinine as well. Some people have the opposite reaction to lighteners! If you are using a hydroquinine and have no results in a month-and do not expect spots to dissapear completely-stop using he product. Also, stay out of the sun because lightened skin burns even more quickly, and repigmentation is even worse.
If you use sunscreen and are outdoors and not reapplying ever 2 hours, its best to skip the sunscreen. Most sunscreens (not zinc based) degrade within 3 hours and invite free radicals below the surface of your skin!
Fruits and vegetables are antioxidants which fight free radicals, but they are not a sunblock.
Pregnancy,menopause, the pill,etc can cause hyperpigmentation in some women.