A quick chat with the Doctors about brown spots…
Many of you know that I have partnered with Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields with regards to skincare. These two doctors are arguably the best known dermatologists in the world. First because they created ProActive, which has helped millions and second, because they are now global with their second company, aptly named “Rodan and Fields”.
Recently, I had a chance to be on a conference call with the two Doctors. While the topics ranged widely, I wanted to share my notes with regards to their comments about brown spots, pre-mature aging, the sun etc. I will keep it short, sweet, and meaningful:
- Brown spots can appear at any age. One is not born with freckles! That’s sun damage / hyper-pigmentation already.
- Melasma is the name for the brown stripes that you see on some women’s faces.
- If your discoloration is really noticeable then you want to use a product with hydroquinone. It is a naturally occurring substance that is present in blueberries, broccoli and meats and is consumed by most people through their diets. Used topically in skincare, hydroquinone has an outstanding safety profile in the US and is approved by the FDA. This is the gold standard for spot fading and has been in use for decades. Hydroquinone by prescription is at 4% strength. OTC products - the good ones - are at 2% strength.
- Advantages of a 2% strength product: by using a low strength and treating the whole face, you will see fading of the spots PLUS a brightening of the whole complexion.
- Once your spots have faded, or if you are just seeing dullness in your skin that you want to counteract, you can use products without the hydroquinone. Other brightening agents include Vitamin C and Retinols.
- It’s all about the sun. A final step in any skincare routine has got to be application of SPF. It necessary ALL DAY LONG. Don’t let your cell phone wear more sunscreen than you are! You have to reapply. Use mineral based formats in powder form that don’t absorb and you won’t have to reapply as often. The brown spots will come back if you don’t use sunscreen. It’s like “trying to go up the down escalator”. Don’t spend money on fading products only to reverse your work by not wearing sunscreen. Even one day sets you back a month.
