Throughout life everyone is exposed to the sun and air pollution whether it be casually or in extreme doses. Add Smoking, Alcohol, Pollution, Medications, Stress, and Extreme Weather Conditions: the result is a dull, dry, discolored, and lined complexion. In more profound cases, pre cancerous cancer lesions are present. These damaging agents present in the environment cause the skin to age prematurely and increase hyperpigmentation.

HYPERPIGMENTATION: Hyperpigmentation is usually a result of photo-sensitizing agents or hormonal changes in the body such as pregnancy and menopause. Excessive sun exposure and lack of sun protection always worsen this condition.

PREMATURELY AGED SKIN: Prematurely aged skin suffers from decreased cellular turnover. Fewer cells are replacing old ones. When dead skin cells do not shed rapidly, it results in a dry, dull, wrinkled complexion.

Symptoms:

• Your dry, fine lines are beginning to deepen
• Your skin feels thinner
• You have "spider veins" on your face and chest
• Your natural coloring has become uneven
• Brown spots are appearing on your face, hands and arms
• Your skin is no longer firm and elastic
• Your skin looks older than you are
• Your skin shows effects of years spent in the sun pursuing a suntan

Conditions and Habits That Increase Damage:

• You recently were pregnant or you have been on birth control pills
• You experience oil irregularity
• You have had excessive sun exposure while taking certain medications (antibiotics, tranquilizers, diuretics)
• You use fragranced skin products
• You use perfumes on your neck and chest and these areas are now pigmented
• You have been using facial depilatories, bleaches, or waxing procedures to remove hair
• You have been using over-the-counter acne preparations
• You do not use sunblocks when engaging in outdoor activities

You Might Want To Ask Your Doctor About Discontinuing:  Birth control pills, antibiotics, diuretics, high oral doses of vitamin A or C, over the counter acne medications, perfumed skin care products, facial waxing, depilatories and bleaches.

Note:  In order to effectively treat hyperpigmentation, it is absolutely necessary that you eliminate sun exposure completely.