Tips For Dealing With Hyperpigmentation From Skincare Experts

Cheeks decorated with a constellation of freckles are adorable, but sun exposure can cause less aesthetically pleasing skin discolorations too, like melasma.

Melasma occurs when there’s an overproduction of melanin—the skin’s natural pigment and in-built sun protector. Triggered by exposure to UVA rays, brown patches pop up out of nowhere, marking the bridge of your nose, forehead, cheekbones or upper lip with splotches.

It’s hard to predict if and when melasma will affect you—there’s a mysterious hormonal component too, and just because you didn’t have it in your twenties doesn’t mean it won’t inexplicably appear in your thirties. Your best bet, say Alyssa Verdeschi and Melissa Nardone, two skin therapists at New York’s Heyday, is prevention.

“Your rockstar ingredient is going to be zinc oxide, a ‘physical’ sunscreen which literally reflects the sun, says Alyssa Verdeschi. “I would also suggest wearing a hat and keeping the affected area in the shade as much as possible.”

But what if you already have a few stubborn spots of melasma, or any form of hyperpigmentation for that matter? First, wear a good sunscreen every day, all year round with no exceptions, and reapply every two hours if you’re going to be outdoors.

Next, a chemical exfoliant can help lighten and brighten dark patches. “Lactic acid has been known to dramatically reduce the appearance of sun damage and melasma,” says Verdeschi. “Doing a chemical peel at least once a month or using a product that contains lactic acid once a week are just a few potential things you can do.” Nardone adds that, “Retinoids, laser, and certain light therapies—not red, which can worsen melasma—can help treat the area of concern.”

Dermatological treatments can be costly though, so your best line of defense is to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. Be sure to snag a sun lounger with an umbrella on your next beach vacation.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.