This Is Why You Get Dark Spots, Says Expert
Dark spots occur because of constant exposure to the sun’s UV ray.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates.
Do you have uneven skin tone? Probably a few dark spots here and there? How do you get rid of those?
First of all, we need to understand what dark spots are for us to answer the question.
What are dark spots?
Dark spots on the skin or hyperpigmentation/sun spots are flat spots on the skin that ranges from light to dark brown to black in colour. They can develop anywhere on your body but are likely to appear on skin that receives the most sun exposure (face, hands, etc).
According to Dr Shazril Shaharuddin (medical doctor) and Dr Nicholas Lim (aesthetic doctor), dark spots on the skin are caused by melanin. Melanin is a pigment in the skin that’s responsible for our skin tone.
Melanin is synthesized by the enzyme tyrosinase. Sometimes, melanin agglomerates occur (they clump together), which results in spots, patches and uneven skin tone.
What causes dark spots?
Melanin agglomerates in the skin are caused by several factors.
- Sun / Age – Emergence of new spots or the worsening of existing ones
- DNA – Genetical disposition
- Hormonal – Hormonal imbalances due to pregnancy and menopause
- Pimples & Acne – Oily skin, pimples and acne marks
Based on studies, all the causes of dark spots can develop along the different life cycles of a woman. However, sun spots due to accumulated sun exposure is the main threat that grows bigger as you age.
If you think you have freckles on your cheeks, Malaysians, get real, those aren’t freckles.
Dr Shazril Shaharuddin or known commonly as Dr Says
Unless you’re born with it or got it when you were a child, those dark spots on your face are not freckles because we’re asians, we don’t normally get those.
Those are actually dark spots or hyperpigmentation, caused by too much sun exposure and UV rays, hormone imbalance and post inflammation.
How to treat them?
If you don’t want melanin, then you need something that inhibits melanin, which is produced by tyrosinase. Tyrosinase inhibitors are the most common and safe solution widely available in the market.
But most of these are ineffective or slow to show results. This is because their actives are tested on mushroom enzymes, which mostly do not work on human skin.
However, Nivea claims to have found a breakthrough ingredient which was tested with human tyrosinase to be more effective at inhibiting melanin. They call this the Luminuos630, which they have added to their range of Luminous products.
They claim that the Nivea Luminous630 has proven to be 10x more effective in reducing dark spots than other renowned brightening ingredients in the market currently.
According to Nivea, they have produced a serum that reduces dark spots and fine lines as well as improves skin luminosity in just two weeks without harming the skin.
This patented and clinically proven Luminous630, backed up by 10 years of scientific research is even endorsed by the Institute of Dermatology and published in the world-renowned Journal of Investigative Dermatology, JID, as claimed by Nivea.
Since Nivea wanted to share this breakthrough with us, we were invited to try the Luminous630 products for ourselves at the Nivea Luminous Skin Journey event yesterday at Le Meridien Hotel PJ.
The event gathered around 100 influencers and celebrities including Yana Samsudin, Emma Maembong, Elfira Loy, Mayho and Miko to share their journey of using Nivea Luminous 630 and how it helped them overcome their deep-rooted dark spots.
Although it’s fast absorbing and soft on the skin, we tried the products and agreed with some of the influencers present that the fragrance was too strong. Those who cannot stand fragrances in their skincare products should use them sparingly.
However, we can’t speak of its effectiveness yet as we were told it will take 2 weeks to see the difference.
If you are keen to try it for yourself, the Luminous range is available for purchase at all Watsons outlets and Online at Nivea’s Official store. For more information about Nivea products and the latest updates, check out their Facebook and website.
Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
