Black skin is rich in color, texture and quality. Still, like all other skin types, it is often prone to a myriad of unwelcome conditions. While it would be easy enough to simply brush over our blemishes, (I mean we literally can do that with makeup!), here at Bolden we prefer to get to the root of issues, and deal with them head-on.

In this post, we’ll tackle one very frequent, and no less bothersome skin condition: hyperpigmentation.

Simply put, hyperpigmentation*  a term which covers everything from sun spots, dark freckles to skin discoloration, is the darkening of the skin due to an excess of melanin (the chemical compound responsible for skin color). Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess coloring is deposited deep within the skin. The primary function of the pigment melanin is to absorb UV rays and prevent damage to skin cells.

Dark skin is endowed with generous portions of melanin, so in addition to offering a degree of protection from the sun’s ultra violet rays, it also shows fewer signs of aging (yes, there is some truth to the popular adage, black don’t crack).

The not so positive side to having all that melanin is that though hyperpigmentation can affect all skin types it is most common in black skin. It is also prevalent among people of Latin, Asian and Indian descent.

Several factors can trigger hyperpigmentation, and here are two most common:

1. Sun Exposure: There has been a prevalent school of thought that fair skin is vulnerable to sun damage, whereas dark skin is not. This idea may appear plausible because in fairer skin the signs of damage, such as peeling and burns, are more immediate and obvious than the effects on dark skin.
As a result of this misconception, there is a tendency with dark skin, to ignore protective precautions. And although, as mentioned above, darker skin does have more UV protection, this does not make it impervious to sun damage. Rather, over exposure to the sun renders it susceptible to hyperpigmentation.

2. Injury and Inflammation: The aftermath of bruises, cuts and burns, is the most common root of hyperpigmentation. In addition, swellings such as from acne, when treated incorrectly (popping under unsanitary conditions, overstimulation, etc.) often engender Post Inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The darkening results from melanin production triggered by trauma.

Hyperpigmentation is known to have a demoralizing effect on its casualties. Thank goodness for makeup. Its ever-evolving creations furnish us with foundations, concealers, brighteners, and primers, to name a few. With such an arsenal at our disposal, women are able to present whatever mask we choose to the world, regardless of the state of what lies beneath.

However, hyperpigmentation can be treated. Taking preventive measures against unnecessary sun exposure **, wearing sunscreen, proper care of injuries, and a skin regimen, can go a long way in restoring skin.

Products like Bolden’s cleansing duo (Skin Clarifying Cleanser + Skin Brightening Toner) are formulated to prevent breakouts and fight hyperpigmentation. The gentle cleanser penetrates deeply to remove impurities and set the stage for absorption of active ingredients in your skincare routine. Bolden’s toner is chuck full of ingredients that naturally brighten dark spots, diminish lines and improve skin texture and tone. With regular use, discoloration from acne, sun damage and aging should be visibly reduced.

So while we embrace the seemingly magical powers of cover-ups, taking the time to understand our skin and treat it accordingly is a worthy investment. After all healthy skin should be the foundation of every beauty palette.

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* Hyperpigmentation is associated with a number of diseases and conditions. Seek medical attention when appropriate.
** Look out for our post on sun exposure.

Sources: Live Strong. WebMD.