Melanated skin? Yes, your dark spots are unique. Here’s why
Dark spots may have a common cause (overproduction of melanin in the skin) but there’s nothing similar about their triggers. And, the triggers can vary based on your skin tone. Before you scour the internet for a dark spot serum, it’s important to first know their triggers and their connection to your skin tone.
Skin tone and hyperpigmentation
Any skin type can develop dark spots, and while they are part of the natural aging process, certain factors can increase someone’s chances of developing dark spots, including:
- UV exposure
- Pollution
- Hormonal shifts, such as those experienced during pregnancy (Melasma shows as darkened patches mainly in the forehead, cheeks, nose and upper lip)
- Trauma or injury to the skin, like post-acne scarring, cuts or shaving
- Medications that are known to cause pigmentation
- Aging: As with most processes in the body, aging decreases the skin’s natural ability to combat the damage from UV rays, and melanin pigment production can deposit/accumulate unevenly and result in the formation of visible dark spots, also known as age spots or sun spots
Depending on your skin tone, you may be more likely to struggle with different forms of hyperpigmentation, even though it can affect all skin tones.
The relationship between skin color and types of hyperpigmentation
Lighter skin tones: While lighter skin tones have less melanin, they are more commonly affected by dark spots induced by excessive UV exposure/damage. These skin types can also be affected by melasma (also known as cholasma, A.K.A. the mask of pregnancy, which can also be induced by birth control pills). Melasma shows as darkened patches mainly in the forehead, cheeks, nose and upper lip.
Medium skin tones: Medium skin tones contain more melanin than lighter skin tones and appear fair/beige with golden undertones, olive or light brown. Carotenes present in medium skin tones provide a source of yellow-orange hues. They are less susceptible to freckling, sometimes burn and often tan but they are not immune to dark spots or damage induced by excessive UV exposure. Medium skin tones can be susceptible to hyperpigmentation disorders including PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) after injury that results in brown marks, cholasma/melasma, post-acne scarring, and irregular dark patches.
Melanated (deep) skin tones: Also known as melanin-rich skin tones, melanated skin has a larger quantity of melanin and larger melanosomes which make skin appear brown to dark brown to black. The quantity of melanin in melanin-rich skin tones makes it less susceptible to burning and freckles and likely to tan though it can experience dark spots and skin damage induced by excessive or cumulative UV exposure. It is also more susceptible to pigment production such as PIH triggered by acne, eczema, psoriasis, hair removal, mechanical aggression like shaving or use of facial scrubs, and chemical exposure as well as cholasma/melasma.
Ingredients in dark spot serums that treat a wide range of skin tones
As the clinical authority in brightening for over 30 years, Murad Skincare has developed a next-generation dark spot solution that leverages patented technology to effectively minimize the look of the dark spots you see and the ones you don’t see yet—on a multitude of skin types and tones.
Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum with patented resorcinol technology and tranexamic acid helps minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Glycolic acid, one of the first and most sought-after exfoliants in Dr. Howard Murad’s original dermatology practice, removes dulling surface cells for enhanced radiance on all skin tones. With Murad’s dark spot serum, you can take on dark spots regardless of their triggers and on various skin tones.
Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum is not meant to just be used on dark spots, rather, it is designed to be used all over your face to target dark spots and enhance skin brightening. As with any skincare regimen, and especially a dark spot regimen, you should wear an SPF every day, rain or shine, to prevent UV damage that can increase dark spot intensity. And, don’t forget to eat a water-rich diet of fruits and veggies packed with antioxidant vitamin C (pineapple and watermelon are two top picks that also satisfy your sweet tooth!).
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Murad, and are for informational purposes only, even if the advice of physicians and medical practitioners are included. This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be considered specific medical advice.
