Treating Hyperpigmentation
more sensitive to sun and inflammation . Estrogen also increases the amount of a pigment-forming enzyme called tyrosinase in the body .” 4
There is an inflammatory factor associated with all types of hyperpigmentation including melasma . Studies have found that “ up-regulated expression of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in melasma lesions promotes the release of Prostaglandin E2 … leading to an increase in melanogenesis .” 6 Prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2 ) is an inflammatory mediator present at sites of tissue damage where they produce inflammation as part of the healing process . Minimizing inflammation is critical when attempting to treat pigment disorders . Increased cortisol , referred to as the “ stress hormone ,” is a potent inflammatory hormone that can also exacerbate the formation of hyperpigmentation .
Check out the power of Brightening Complex in the Clinical Study : “ Brightening Complex Cytokine Measurement ”.
In a clinical study , Prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2 ) levels were measured in the skin after exposure to Brightening Complex and two other popular lightening products containing 4 % Hydroquinone , 4 % Hydroquinone , 0.05 % Tretinoin , and 0.1 % Fluocinolone Acetonide respectively .
PGE2 levels were far lower after the application of Brightening Complex compared to the other products tested , which indicates that it does not significantly upregulate the skin ’ s inflammatory processes . In fact , PGE2 levels in skin exposed to Brightening Complex were similar to the control sample with no product applied .
Since inflammatory upregulation is part of the melanogenesis process , it would be counterproductive to apply a product that induces inflammation when attempting to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation . Brightening Complex ’ s anti-inflammatory properties are one reason it is such an effective treatment for pigment disorders .
Understanding the process of melanogenesis is extremely beneficial when attempting to treat hyperpigmentation . It makes sense that to effectively treat hyperpigmentation , there must be a multistep approach that addresses the triggers , inflammation , melanin formation and transfer , as well as removing accumulated surface pigmentation . Our goal at iS Clinical when brightening the skin is not to damage or kill the melanocyte cell , or to “ bleach ” the skin , but to balance pigment production , brighten , and even the skin tone safely while improving the health of the skin .
REFERENCES
See Brightening Duo article for more information .
1 . University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences . “ New imaging technology may reduce need for skin biopsies .” ScienceDaily . ScienceDaily , 18 November 2021 . www . sciencedaily . com / releases / 2021 / 11 / 211118203054 . htm
2 . Journal of Pigmentary Disorders . “ Hyperpigmentation : Its Historical Treatment and the Development of Hydroquinone .” James J nordlund . Department of Dermatology , Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine , Dayton , Ohio , USA https :// www . hilarispublisher . com / open-access / hyperpigmentationits-historical-treatment-and-the-development-ofhydroquinone-2376-0427-1000221 . pdf
3 . Kirsch , Brandon , MD . “ Melasma Explained : Symptoms , Causes , Treatments And Pictures .” https :// clearifirx . com / blog / melasma-explained March 14 , 2020
4 . Kirsch , Brandon , MD . “ What Exactly Causes Melasma ?” https :// clearifirx . com / blog / melasma-causes March 15 , 2019
5 . https :// www . mederbeauty . com / kb / melasma-sun-spots-pigmentation /
6 . https :// journals . lww . com / ijdv / Fulltext / 2021 / 09000 / Consensus _ on _ the _ Diagnosis _ and _ Treatment _ of . 1 . aspx
7 . https :// ard . bmj . com / content / 64 / suppl _ 4 / iv104 https :// www . yourhormones . info / hormones / prostaglandins https :// www . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / pmc / articles / PMC5454882 / https :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / Skin _ whitening # History https :// blog . labtag . com / a-brief-history-of-histology / https :// www . medicalnewstoday . com / articles / 323808 # treatment
https :// www . allure . com / story / what-is-melasma-hyperpigmentationdifferences-treatments
https :// onlinelibrary . wiley . com / doi / full / 10.1002 / der2.134 https :// www . aafp . org / pubs / afp / issues / 2017 / 1215 / p797 . html
https :// www . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / books / NBK539693 /#:~: text = About % 20 35 % 20to % 2045 % 25 % 20of , due % 20to % 20the % 20substantial % 20 absorption .
https :// my . clevelandclinic . org / health / articles / 22187-cortisol
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