Lighten up your skin, for a younger look

I’d always assumed brightening skincare products were targeted just to the Asian market. Wrong! In fact, they’re the perfect thing to help treat the age spots and pigmentation suffered by many of us who spent too much time in the sun when we were younger… because luminous, even-toned skin is pretty much everyone’s beauty ideal.

I noticed my first signs of serious skin pigmentation when I was in my late thirties – a big, brown blotch above one of my eyebrows that was definitely the result of sun damage. But uneven skin tone can also be caused by hormonal issues linked to pregnancy and the contraceptive pill, as well as acne scarring and even the use of harsh skincare treatments. It can also be an issue whether you’re fair or dark skinned. To begin with, whitening ranges were only on sale in Asian countries but now they’re flooding onto our beauty counters too.

oany of them are cocktails of vitamin C, vitamin A and botanical extracts, and work to diminish the appearance of age spots and stop new ones forming. Since uneven skin tone can add an average of 10 to 15 years to a woman’s perceived age – even in the absence of lines and wrinkles – it’s worth giving them a go.

PULSED LIGHT

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is an effective clinical treatment for brown spots. Pulses of light are aimed at the skin, heating up the pigmented area which eventually flakes away. It’s non-invasive and only mildly uncomfortable. However, you may need several treatments and it’s really important to go to a reputable clinic or spa as it can do damage in the wrong hands.