Discovering how to reduce skin inflammation can be a major leap forward for anyone looking to improve their overall skin health, as well as those seeking a way to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Many who take the time to learn about skin inflammation causes find that improving the inflammation (and stopping its root cause) helps them to achieve a more even-looking skin tone.
Let’s take a look at the reasons why inflammation often leads to hyperpigmentation, effective solutions you can use for inflammation, and ways to stop it from occurring in the first place.
What Is Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation?
If you’re seeking information on how to reduce skin inflammation to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation, you must first understand why inflammation and hyperpigmentation are directly connected.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a condition that occurs when your skin cells produce excess amounts of melanin in response to an injury or irritation that leads to inflammation.
The inflammation triggers an immune system response that causes the blood vessels to dilate, which releases signals that cause melanocytes to produce melanin, the natural pigment that gives skin its color. As you probably guessed, excess amounts of melanin leads to dark spots and skin discoloration.
5 Common Skin Inflammation Causes
Learning how to reduce skin inflammation is the key to preventing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation before it occurs. While using Senté skincare products as part of your daily skincare regimen can certainly work wonders, the best approach is to avoid inflammation triggers in the first place. Here are 5 causes of inflammation in the skin that can lead to hyperpigmentation.
1. UV and Visible Blue Light Exposure
Spending too much time in the sun is one of the leading causes of inflammation. A sunburn is an inflammatory reaction to the sun’s ultraviolet light, but hyperpigmentation can occur even if you don’t have a sunburn. That’s why using a mineral sunscreen is highly recommended for those looking into how to reduce skin inflammation.
The science behind it is simple: Melanin helps to protect the skin from harmful UV light, so too much time in the sun causes your skin cells called melanocytes to produce excess amounts of melanin in response.
The sun’s ultraviolet light isn’t the only type of light that can lead to inflammation. Blue light (also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light) from smartphones, computer screens, and other electronic devices can also cause inflammation by inducing oxidative stress—an imbalance of antioxidants that are required to combat free radicals. However, the iron oxides in mineral SPF help to protect skin from visible light-induced hyperpigmentation.
2. Skin Conditions and Injuries
A major component in learning how to reduce skin inflammation is knowing how to improve skin conditions and injuries more effectively. Skin conditions that damage the skin, such as psoriasis, acne, and atopic dermatitis are common skin inflammation causes. Additionally, burns and other skin injuries can lead to inflammation, especially if they become infected.
Similar to sunlight and blue light exposure, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs because the body produces excess amounts of melanin as part of the healing response. Skin discoloration may also occur when old red cells die, leaving behind an iron pigment.
3. Hormonal Changes
If you’re researching how to reduce skin inflammation in order to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation, you may want to consider any hormonal influences that could be playing a role. Fluctuations in the hormones estrogen and progesterone can trigger the production of melanin. That’s why hyperpigmentation often occurs during pregnancy. It may also be triggered by birth control medicines.
As people age, the number of melanocytes (melanin-producing skin cells) diminishes. While you might assume that less melanocytes would lead to less melanin, the remaining melanocytes actually grow in size and the production of melanin becomes more targeted.
5. Health Conditions and Medications
As you seek guidance on how to reduce skin inflammation, you may want to speak to a physician if you have (or think you might have) underlying health issues. Vitamin deficiencies, metabolic disorders, and gastrointestinal and autoimmune diseases can all be skin inflammation causes. Additionally, some medications such as antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, anti-seizure drugs, and antimalarials can trigger hyperpigmentation.
Discover Medical-Grade Skincare at Senté
Now that you understand why skin inflammation causes hyperpigmentation, the next step is to discover ways to reduce inflammation, and in turn, achieve a more even skin tone. Senté offers a wide range of medical-grade skincare products that are highly recommended by reputable dermatologists.
Here are powerful, proven ingredients found in Senté products that are clinically shown to help improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation and promote a more even skin tone.
Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) is a patented technology that’s exclusive to Senté. HSA combats inflammation by addressing inflammation at the source and helps boost the skin's immune response to inflammation. HSA promotes deep hydration and a healthier skin barrier while helping reduce visible redness.
Cysteamine is a skin-lightening agent that synergizes beautifully with HSA. Cysteamine is safe, well-tolerated, biocompatible, and safe for long-term use. It works by inhibiting melanin-producing enzymes, naturally leading to a more even-looking skin tone.
Shop Hyperpigmentation Solutions
HSA and cysteamine are powerful ingredients that can be used as part of your daily skincare regimen. As you research how to reduce skin inflammation, you may also find that other Senté skincare products can also be quite beneficial as part of your routine, especially those with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as niacinamide, zinc oxide, peptides, antioxidants, and vitamin E.
Being aware of skin inflammation causes is the first step. Now take back control of your skin with Senté.