Black spots are formed because of the precipitation of melanin on the surface of the skin. Once developed, it will not disappear easily. Unless the correct treatment is administered, it will not be easy to get rid of them.

These black spots usually take on a butterfly shape, which is why they're also known as butterfly spots. These marks usually take on a light brown or coffee shade. Some spots also have the colour of liver, which is why they're also known as liver spots. When it's reached a colour as such, it's at the most serious stage in the ageing phase. When the spots become black, they're known as age spots.

A drastic change in female hormones can cause women to develop 9 times more pigmentation than men. On top of that, frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays can also cause gradual damage to the skin, making it age faster than expected. By the time they hit the middle-aged phase, most women would have 80% of age spots all over their faces.

Age spots might be a problem to middle-aged women, but in recent years, the ozone layer has played a major role in skin damage and other conditions. Its ultraviolet rays have become a lot stronger, thus causing pigmentation to occur in women below the expected age range. It's not surprising for women in their 30s and 40s to have these spots. Even women in their 20s can be affected too. This is because the skin layers thicken and melanin secretion increases.

How it happens:

   External factors:

1. Hereditariness: If both parents have pigmentation, chances are their children will have a high chance of developing the spots too.

2. Ultraviolet rays: the ultraviolet rays in the sun can activate a large amount of melanin to form, thus a rise in pigmentation.

3. Stress: Stress can cause an imbalance of emotions, which will in turn affect blood circulation, thus causing melanin to thicken.

4. Medication: There are plenty of medications that can cause the acceleration of melanin reproduction.

5. Misusing cosmetics: This is when the skin has not been cleansed thoroughly. Cosmetics that contain high level of chemicals and artificial preservatives can cause damage to the skin, thus developing pigmentation.

6. Chronic illnesses: liver trouble, kidney failure, tumours or cancer, kidney stones, insufficient nutrients, etc can all bring about pigmentation.

   Internal factors:

1. Changes in the hormonal system: age/liver spots can appear during pregnancy and also if there is a drastic change physically and emotionally.

2. Brown spots can also develop when the skin is too thin, and defenses are at an all-time low.

3. Imbalance of the reproductive system: regardless of whether it's a disorder of the endocrine or the ovary, both will easily cause the metabolic rate in the skin cells to slow down, thus causing the melanin to form  dark spots on the skin. This is most apparent during an irregular menstrual cycle, pregnancy or miscarriage.

• Exfoliate dead skin cells.
• Repair and renew damaged skin cells, rejuvenating them.
• Restrict the abnormal secretion of melanin in the skin.
• Lighten pigmentation marks, providing it with a whitening effect.
• Protect the skin from free radicals (caused by ultraviolet rays) from further damage.
• Boost and encourage the flow of the skin's metabolic rate.
• Provide the skin with essential nutrients and vitamins.
• Renew the skin process by stimulating the growth of new skin cells.

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Commonly known as pimples or oil spots; also known as Pustule (pimple) or Papule (oil clog).

Changes in the hormonal balance during the growing phase can trigger excess oil secretion from the sebaceous gland, resulting in the skin being oilier that usual.

Enlarged as well as clogged pores can ultimately become Comedones (whiteheads and blackheads). If infection sets in, pimples will start form and in more serious cases, acne.

Squeezing seems to come as the most natural thing to do to pimples as soon as they start to form cyst. This can leave behind unsightly scars and marks, resulting in permanent damage. At this stage, extra time and effort will be needed to treat the problem as well as the scars. With the correct treatment and proper care, these pimple marks can be diminished.

Acne can be categorized as:
 

How it happens:

1. Pimples can start to develop around puberty. When hormones take on a drastic shift during the pubescent phase, it can cause an excessive production of oil in the skin. On top of that, daily consumption of oily and fried foods as well as "junk" food can also trigger pimples.

2. Pimples can happen to anyone at anytime and any age. This can be attributed to irregularities or erratic lifestyles and habits. Those who do not develop full-blown pimples in their pubescent stage may be faced with the problem as soon as the puberty phase is over. This can be attributed to busy lifestyles, stress, lack of sleep, hormonal imbalance, too much oily food, heatiness, dehydration, not drinking enough water as well as indigestion.

3. Illnesses like the common cold, viral infection, etc as well as the consumption of medication can all trigger pimples. Contrary to popular belief, cosmetics are not the only factors when it comes to women being troubled with pimples or acne problems. An adjustment in the hormonal balance, menstrual periods, pregnancy or menopause are all catalysts that can set off a bout of skin problems.

4. Environmental pollution, dirt and dust can settle anywhere on the skin, thus clogging the pores. A lack of thorough cleansing can cause infection, which can lead to the formation of red swollen cyst-like pimples.

5. The bottom line is, anybody can develop pimples.

Aftereffect:

1. When dark spots start to take form, any attempt to extract the pimple may cause damage to the skin. The natural defenses of the skin will not be able to protect the epidermis; germs and antibodies will start to invade the skin as soon as it's made vulnerable to its environment. This will cause cyst as well as excess oil to form, causing the natural repair system of the skin to fail, therefore resulting in long-term skin problems as well as pitted scars.

2. Once these marks become long term scars, pigmentation and spots will also start to take form, and can ultimately become permanent.

3. Pimples have varying stages. In order to resolve pending acne problems and to achieve a 100% recovery rate, professional consultation and treatment ought to be sought as soon as the problem surfaces. Keep in mind, the earlier you treat it, the better the results.

• Unclog and cleanse pores of impurities.
• Effectively control the production of excessive sebum.
• Maintain cleanliness; control germs from reproducing within the skin layers.
• Reduce all possibilities of acne resurfacing.
• Soothe and treat all acne and swelling.
• Diminish all new and old acne scars.
• Repair and re-attune the production of skin cells.
• Restore radiance and youthfulness to the skin.

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Scars can be classified into internal and external scars.

There are three sorts of acne scars:
  1. Chiseled scars:
      Enlarged and deep, almost like it's been hacked with a blunt
      instrument. Because the acne is well-embedded into the skin, the
      damage caused to the pores would also appear on the surface.
  2. Acne scars:
      Appears sunken and hollow. Damage to the skin is caused by the
      swelling of acne, which can ultimately causes scarring.
  3. Raised scars:
      Acne clumped together tends to give the face a swollen and patchy look, thus the raised appearance on the
      surface of the skin.

Solution:

• Exfoliate dead skin cells.

• Lighten and "whiten" scars.

• Treat damaged skin cells; stimulate new growth.

• Stimulate newly produced skin cells; promoting recovery.

• Boosting elasticity to the skin.

• Moisturize and renew the skin layers; giving it a youthful appearance. Diminishes scars.

• Provide essential nutrients.

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Why it happens:

1. As the ageing process kicks in, the skin's elasticity and facial muscles will start to droop, thus causing the skin to take on a sagging appearance.

2. The Elastin Fiber's lack of action within the dermis, deterioration of the protein fiber, loss of resilience and natural defenses are all factors that can cause the skin to sag.

3. Gravity can also cause the skin to loosen and sag.

4. Smoking, post-natal syndrome can also accelerate the ageing process, thus triggering premature ageing.

5. Long-term consumption of medication, alcohol; lack of oxygen and hydration can all cause retard the process of reproducing new healthy cells, thus causing the skin to sag.

6. Stress can cause anxiety which can ultimately affect your physical appearance, hence a sallow and haggard appearance.

Aftereffect:
Loss of elasticity will cause the skin to loosen and sag. This will also cause the skin around the eyes and along the neckline to take on a downward and loose appearance.

 

Solutions:

• Repair damaged skin cells.

• Stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers as well as strengthen the formation of newly reproduced skin cells.

• Increase protein fiber; rejuvenate skin with adequate moisture.

• Eliminate all free radicals.

• Firm and tone facial muscles; redefine the elasticity of the skin structure.

• Provide the skin with essential vitamins and principal nutrients.

• Stimulate blood circulation, thus rejuvenating the growth and facility of newly reproduced skin cells.

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External factors:

1. Over-exposure to the sun's rays can cause premature ageing. The sun's ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) can cause 90% of skin ageing and this can occur even when you're in your 20s. That's when the first signs of skin maturing can be seen.

2. Other factors that can cause your skin to age at an accelerated pace include lifestyle habits like inadequate rest, smoking, drinking, stress and air pollution. A severe loss in weight can also cause wrinkles, due to the lack of support from healthy fat cells underneath the skin's surface. This can also cause a person to look gaunt and the skin to sag.

3. Smokers will soon find that they have 5 times more wrinkles than a nonsmoker. This can be attributed to free radicals found in cigarette smoke; this can accelerate the ageing process. Smokers who are in their 40s will find that they look older and more haggard than nonsmokers in their 60s.

4. Facial expressions such as smiling, laughing, squinting and frowning can all trigger the appearance of wrinkles.

5. Gravity can also bring about sagging, thus loosening the skin and making ageing more apparent.

Internal factors:

1. As the ageing process sets in, the metabolic rate will start to lag and react slower than usual. Hormonal secretion will slacken; skin cells will be less active and slower in reproduction. The dermis layer will become thinner; fat cells will start to shrink causing the skin to lose elasticity, thus setting off the ageing process.

2. At this time, the collagen and Elastin Fiber on the dermis layer will also lose its ability to support the skin structure, thus causing the first signs of wrinkles to appear. The skin will devitalize gradually and at the same time, sagging will take place.

Aftereffect:
When the formation of the skin starts to lose its natural ability to produce healthy skin cells as well as support the structure of the skin, wrinkles will start to appear. At this rate, the reproductive skin cells will be reduced by a drastic half; the dermis layer will also start to thin out. At this time, the collagen and Elastin Fiber on the dermis layer will start to lose its ability to regenerate and will not be able to support the epidermis, thus causing wrinkles and sagging to take place.
 

• Eliminate all dead skin cells
• Thoroughly cleanse out all toxins in the deeper layers of the skin.
• Stimulate the production of collagen.
• Strengthen the formation of new skin cells.
• Encourage the elasticity in collagen fiber
• Re-attune the skin's ability to absorb moisture.
• Replenish essential moisture to the skin.

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Skin tone varies according to:

1. The quantity of melanin in within the skin
   The amount of melanin produced can affect the density of the skin's tone. Melanin found in the skin of Africans is a lot more than those of Asians and Caucasians.

2. Blood content
   The blood vessels in the skin can be compressed. You can tell the health of your complexion though how radiant it is.

3. Condition of the surface skin
   Clean skin looks radiant as opposed to skin that hasn't been thoroughly cleansed, which can look dull and coarse.

4. Dietary factor
   If too much carotene is stored beneath the skin, it can make the skin look yellowish. If too much citrus fruits, red carrots, pumpkins, etc have been consumed, it can make the palms and bottom of your feel look yellowish.

How Melanin develops:

1. Melanin cells form in between the epidermis layer and can look like they're raised.

2. Melanin cells contain Tyrosin, a colourless substance.

3. When UV rays penetrate the melanin cells, another form of Tyrosin will start to surface. This enzyme is usually activated only when triggered by UV rays.

4. Tyrosinase will trigger oxidation in Tyrosin, thus turning it black. This is how melanin is produced.

5. The pigment from the Melanin cells sends the pigment into the base layer and in the form of a hat, deposits the melanin into the cells.

6. The pigment that is being pushed upwards will reach the corneum stratum, thus surfacing on the skin.

7. This way, a certain amount of melanin will start to form, which is why the surface of the skin always has melanin, and this amount of melanin determines a person's skin tone.

8. People who are dark-skinned tend to have more pigmentation.

Solution:

• Treat and diminish pigment spots.

• Aid the skin in strengthening its natural defenses against environmental hazards.

• Boost moisture in the skin.

• Promote radiance.

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Why it happens:
  1. High cholesterol
  2. Using skin care products with a high content of oil

The appearance of Milia is usually an indication that you're using a product that could be unsuitable for your skin. Many of us tend to think that the best eye moisturizers are usually those containing high level of oil for optimal results. What the skin needs is a balance of moisture. This is why an eye cream should be selected according to the skin condition around the eye area.


Aftereffects:
Milia that form around the eye area tend to be hard. Milia can be unsightly, thus affecting the appearance. If professional help is not sought, preferring to squeeze the oil seeds on your own, it can result in infection, leaving an unsightly scar.


Solution:

• Using a special procedure meant for eliminating milia, firming of the skin around the eye area, giving it a firmer, uplifted look.

• Replenish moisture.

• Do not try to treat Milia on your own as it will cause infection and leave unsightly scars.

• Do not use eye care products that have a high level of oil in them. Cut down on consuming oily food.

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Why it happens:
  1. Hereditariness
  2. Irregularity of blood circulation
  3. Anaemia, mild infection
  4. UV exposure (excessive)
  5. Fatigue, stressful lifestyles
  6. Sensitive nose
  7. B12 deficiency

When the blood vessels around the eye area are extremely fine and thin, this will cause the blood flow to be slow. This happens when the eyes have been overused, there is a lack of sleep and rest, high levels of emotions, physiological upset and the eyes have not had adequate rest. This can lead to purplish red veins to encircle the eye area and as it is a very thin area, it can easily result in dark eye circles.


Aftereffects:
Known as "fatigue eye" in Europe, because dark eye circles can give the impression exhaustion and the state of being unhealthy. When it becomes serious, it will give the look of sallowness and dullness, haggard and old and pale. This can also cause some problems on the social front as inferior complex sets in.


Solution:

• Eliminate pigment in the skin in order to recover the skin tone around the eye area.

• Regulate or rid fine lines under the eyes. Upon that, the dark eye circles will be able to recover.

• While getting rid of the black pigment, a lymphatic massage is essential in order to readjust blood circulation and diminish dark eye circles.

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Eye bags form because the skin around the eye area loosens. It loses its elasticity because of the accumulation of fatty cells. This does not happen only in older people; the younger ones can also develop eye bags due to stress and worry.

The eyelid has the thinnest skin as compared to the rest of the body. The eyelid blinks numerous times a day; by the time a person reaches middle age, they would have blinked more than a billion times. It can be said that the eyelid is the area that ages the fastest. Other contributing to ageing in this area includes poor blood circulation as well as over-exposure to sunlight and gravity.

25 years old is the time when eye bags start to appear. Crow's feet develop at 30 and the end of the eyes will start to droop when you're 35. By 40, our skin will deteriorate steadily. When the lid of your eyes starts to droop and you can't lift it with your eye muscle, not only will your scope of vision narrow down, you抣l be squinting a lot, which can affect your outer appearance, causing wrinkles and lines.

How it happens:

1. Age can affect the elasticity around the eye area. Fat will also start to develop and gather around the eye sockets. This can happen from 30 years old onwards.

2. Dieting, overeating, lack of sleep, drinking, smoking, sinuses or misusing cosmetics can all lead to the veins and lymphatic circulation around the eyes to become irregular.

3. Having eye bags does not only occur in the older folks. This is because the younger crowd tends to stay up late, thus attributing to insufficient rest. They're also spending many more hours in front of the computer.

4. The skin around the eye areas is ultra-sensitive and can be easily infected. Constant eye movement can lead to fine lines.

5. The skin around the eye area is very sensitive, the thinnest and most fragile, and it is also the fastest to age. Insufficient moisture can cause eye bags to develop.

• Lift the skin around the eye area, firming up the facial muscles and skin.
• Replenish the skin around the eye area with adequate moisture.
• Tighten the skin texture, diminishing the formation of eye bags.

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Why it happens:
  1. Poor vision leading to constant blinking of eyes can lead to
      wrinkles.
  2. Ageing
  3. Overexposure to UV rays
  4. Losing too much weight too fast

The area around the eyes is the only section of the face that's not supported by a bone structure. Those who are acutely short-sighted yet do not have the habit of wearing glasses tend to blink and strain their eyes a lot, thus causing wrinkles to appear around the area.

Ageing can also cause the skin around the eye area to loosen. As the cell formation loses collagen, thus causing the elasticity to slacken, this can cause the outer layer of the skin to become dry and thus develop Crow's Feet. This is most prominent in people are fair-skinned or have moderately thin skin structure.

On the other hand, overexposure to UV rays will also destroy the cell formation and cause the skin to become dehydrated. This will result in premature wrinkles. Try to avoid the sun as much as possible. Sunblock is essential.

Long term application of cosmetics can also dry the skin, causing wrinkles to appear. And that's not all. Losing a large amount of weight in a short period of time can also cause facial lines to appear.

Solution:

• Replenish moisture around the eye area.

• Firm up the skin around the eyes; ridding of Crow's Feet.

• Boost the radiance in the pupils, enhancing the natural charm in your eyes.

• Start taking care of your skin while you're still in your 20s. This can prevent the development of Crow's Feet.

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Why it happens:

1. Pores that have been clogged for a considerably long period of time will develop acne and may even result in dehydration and being overly sensitive.

2. Overexposure to the sun, smoking, medication and negligence can all cause dehydration and sensitivity.

3. Moisture on the skin tends to evaporate quickly if too much time is spent in an air-conditioned room or areas with low temperature.

4. Cleansing soaps with a high pH balance can also dry up the skin.

Aftereffects:

1. Peeling of skin, red and patchy, dehydrated, lack of radiance. You may even start to develop rashes.

2. Skin will start to take on a red, swollen appearance and it will even start to itch and might have a stinging sensation from being too sensitive. The red patchiness will be even more obvious if makeup has been applied.

3. Excessive reproduction of oil in the skin will cause the moisture to deplete. The oil content will gradually result in the skin being oily on the outside but dehydrated on the inside. This will cause the skin to be extremely sensitive.

Solution:

• Renewing the skin from the deepest layer, soothing and diminishing the red patchiness caused by ultra-sensitivity.

• Replenish and moisture the skin adequately.

• Protect and repair the skin.
   

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