Hyperpigmentation
Allure, August 1, 2008
Allure Magazine suggests one of Dr. Copeland's remedies for skin damage.
THE CAUSE: Hyperpigmentation is the clinical term for brown spots, freckles, and dark patches—all caused by an overproduction of melanin. Sun damage is typical to blame for small, individual brown spots, while a rise in estrogen levels in your body—often brought on by pregnancy or certain types of birth control pills—causes larger, irregular splotches of dark skin known as melasma.
THE TREATMENT: Because AHAs and retinol help speed up cell turnover, they prompt skin to shed the darker cells while also evening out melanin production so you don't get clusters of pigment. (Try Dr. Michelle Copeland's Skin Care AHA Face Cream.)