Get Your Glow on!

Change of season, stress and hormonal imbalances are some of the factors that affect skin. Here’s what you need to get your radiance back.

- Lerato Seuoe

As we age, our skin loses its ability to bounce back. Picking not only pushes more bacteria into the skin (which will prolong the life of the pimple), but it may also cause lasting scarring and pigmentation because of inflammation.

Melasma, or pigmentation, is one of the biggest skin concerns linked to hormonal changes. Mainly found on the forehead, nose, cheeks and upper lip, melasma usually occurs during pregnancy or with the use of some oral contraceptives, says aesthetic physician, Dr Sly Nedic. When the body releases more oestrogen than usual, an imbalance occurs that causes the melanocyte cells in the skin to produce more melanin. Because melanin is responsible for skin colour, too much of it causes an uneven skin tone.

If you’re pregnant or on oestrogen based birth control, limit your sun exposure and apply a good sunscreen daily. Over-the-counter treatments can be helpful to a certain extent, but Dr Nedic advises you not to focus solely on them. Because this kind of pigmentation is brought on by hormonal imbalances, it’s better to try to rebalance your oestrogen levels for a long term solution – but only with the help of your dermatologist or aesthetic physician.

ADULT ACNE