post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (pih) stays kicking my a**!

uneven skin doesn't bother me on a day to day, as a pcos girlie, i've grown up with darker areas of my body and have learned to accept and love them as they are. but when it comes to patches after eczema flare-ups, i refuse to stand by and not take action!

here are the hacks that helped me when trying to even out my dark marks and ingrown hair scars:

understanding the causes of hyperpigmentation

hyperpigmentation can be caused by several factors:

• sun exposure: uv rays can lead to dark spots and uneven skin tone. always protect your skin with sunscreen.
• hormones: pregnancy, birth control, and hormonal imbalances can trigger hyperpigmentation. as a fellow pcos girlie, i have darker areas under my armpits and in between my legs. these are all perfectly normal by the way!
• inflammation: acne, eczema, and other skin injuries can leave behind dark marks. reducing inflammation can help prevent this, but my fave ingredient licorice root extract is great at inhibiting melanin production and fading dark marks.

knowing what’s causing your hyperpigmentation can help you tackle it more effectively. it’s always a good idea to take an allergy test to see what your potential triggers are.

daily habits that prevent further discoloration

prevention is key! here are some habits to incorporate into your daily routine:

• spf!!!!!!!: wear broad-spectrum spf 30 or higher every day (to be safe i always opt for the 50), rain or shine. reapply every two hours and yes, if it is cloudy you should still wear it!
• gentle cleansing: avoid harsh scrubs and opt for gentle cleansers.
• exfoliation: getting rid of dead skin cells helps to create a more even, radiant complextion. you should be regularly exfoliating to fade your hyperpigmentation. be careful though - over-exfoliating can worsen hyperpigmentation, and if you’re using a chemical exfoliant (aha, bha, pha) spf has to be included in your routine. we recommend 2-3 times a week depending on how much your skin can take and using spf 30+.
• hydration: keep your skin well-moisturised and hydrated to maintain a healthy barrier. skin that is looked after is less likely to become irritated.

hopefully this has given you some insight in to hyperpigmentation and how to best manage it. hyperpigmentation is a complex issue to tackle, and i want to stress that with or without it you are still stunning either way!

Rashida x