Anti-Aging Treatment for Dark Skin

Anti-aging treatment for dark skin

Darker skin ages differently than lighter skin.  In general, wrinkles and fine lines develop later in life and as the famous saying goes “Black don’t crack”. However, the skin is more prone to pigmentation issues, specifically hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation.  Therefore, an effective anti-aging treatment for dark skin primarily needs to focus on helping the skin combat pigmentation concerns. 

“Black don’t crack”

According to a study conducted by the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, the source of the resilience of darker skin lies in the bones.  Black people are born with denser bones in their faces which don’t break down as quickly as Caucasian bones.  Specifically, the cheekbones and the bone between the eyes are especially strong.  As a result, “Black faces maintain structural support for a longer period of time” and the facial skin looks younger for longer.

Another major factor that makes darker skin age more gracefully is that it has more melanin in it. Melanin is the pigment that determines the color of our skin, hair and eyes.  The darker your skin tone is, the more melanin it has.  Melanin plays a major role in limiting skin aging caused by the sun’s UV rays.  It absorbs the light and prevents it from damaging other skin cells.  As a result, darker skin tones have fewer wrinkles, brown spots, and visible blood vessels.  

Lastly, very dark skin tends to be oiler, and the oil protects it from dryness and wrinkles.  According to dermatologist Seemal Desai, M.D., president of the Skin of Color Society, “African-American skin tends to have more sebum or oil content; some of that contains natural moisturizing factor so all of that can play a role into the look and aesthetics of the skin because it’s less likely to be dry” 

Dealing with unwanted pigmentation

There are two major types of unwanted pigmentation- hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.   

Hyperpigmentation–  Hyperpigmentation occurs when the body produces too much melanin.  As a result, dark patches appear on the facial skin.  Even though dark skin is less sensitive to UV rays than fair skin, it is still susceptible to sun damage!  In dark skin, hyperpigmentation frequently results in dark spots forming on the cheeks and lower face.  The spots worsen over time and contribute to an uneven complexion.  Therefore, it is very important to wear sunscreen and shade your face from the sun.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – A subcategory of hyperpigmentation is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).  In these cases, the skin is injured which causes it to become inflamed. The inflammation triggers the production of melanin, and the area of the injury becomes darker.  Unfortunately, the dark spots remain long after the injury has healed. Dark skin is more prone to PIH than lighter skin and therefore dark-skinned individuals need to be very careful when treating cuts, acne, eczema flare-up, rashes and the like. Also, people with dark skin tones need to be especially careful of PIH caused by laser treatments such as hair removal and skin tightening.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Image courtesy of Kylie Aquino

Hypopigmentation– Hypopigmentation is a skin condition in which patches of skin become lighter because of a deficiency in melanin.  Hypopigmentation varies from small, white marks on the skin to large patches that are noticeably lighter than the rest of the skin.  Dark skinned individuals are more prone to hypopigmentation than lighter skinned individuals.  Vitiligo is a common type of hypopigmentation.

Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation:  Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation occurs when the skin is inflamed due to trauma.  During the healing process the pigmented cells are damaged or destroyed.  There can be many causes- a pimple, cut or even a scrape.  

Hypopigmentation.
Image courtesy of Produnis / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

The NowMi anti-aging treatment for dark skin

The NowMi treatment is an advanced skincare solution that slows down the signs of aging. The treatment performs 4 skin actions- exfoliation, nourishment, oxygenation and protection.  Best of all, the treatment can be performed at home and takes only 5 minutes!

During the NowMi treatment, the skin is nourished with vitamin C, E and Hyaluronic acid.  Vitamin C plays a key role in the functioning of melanin. It has been shown regulate the production of melanin in the skin and thus limit the formation of dark spots.  Furthermore, vitamin C is important in the synthesis of new collagen which enables the skin to rejuvenate and repair itself.  

Importantly, vitamin C and E have anti-inflammatory properties.  This means that when the skin is injured, they reduce inflammation and limit post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.  Vitamin E is also known for reducing the formation of scars.

Hyaluronic acid is incremental in hydrating the skin.  It is able to hold 1,000 times its weight in water and helps the skin look plump and supple.  In darker-skinned individuals, skin dryness often results in the skin looking ashy or gray and the Hyaluronic acid restores it to its natural complexion.

In order to ensure that all of the active ingredients optimally penetrate the skin, the skin is exfoliated, and its outermost layer is removed.  The exfoliation deeply cleanses the skin and gets rid of all dead skin cells, dirt and makeup.  Furthermore, the NowMi treatment uses sonic energy which significantly increases the effectiveness of the cleansing action and verifies that each pore is thoroughly cleansed.

Once the nutrients penetrate the skin, they are absorbed by the skin’s cells. To maximize the absorption process, the cells are oxygenated.   This is done by using a scientific principle called the Bohr effect.  The principle states that when the body is bombarded by an excess amount of carbon dioxide, it counters this by sending oxygen rich blood cells to the area.  Therefore, during the NowMi treatment, a chemical reaction is created on the skin’s surface which results in the formation of millions of micro carbon dioxide bubbles.  The body then sends in oxygenated cells to negate this effect.  The process is completely natural and painless.   

One of the most important benefits of the NowMi anti-aging treatment for dark skin is protection.  By infusing the skin with vitamin C and E, the skin can protect itself from damage caused by the sun and other extrinsic factors such as pollution and smoke.  Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants which help the skin fight free radicals.  Free radicals are unstable atoms that cause cell damage and death and are the primary cause of premature skin aging.

The NowMi Pro weekly treatment kit
The NowMi Pro kit

Summary

Dark skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation which age the skin.  By infusing the skin with vitamin C, E and Hyaluronic acid it can better manage the production of melanin and repair damage caused by it.  With the NowMi treatment you can slow down the signs of aging and enjoy even-textured skin that has a youthful and natural glow.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg2nuaOzksg

Oxygen treatment for face

NowMi vitamin C oxygen treatment for face

Oxygen treatments for the face are immensely popular.  Celebrities such as Madonna and Victoria Beckham swear by them, and Katy Perry has been quoted as saying:  “I use oxygen skin treatment to hydrate my skin and give me that fresh, well slept glowing look before any performance or appearance“. 

Traditional oxygen treatments for the face are performed in a spa using a special machine capable of emitting highly pressurized oxygen.  However, the NowMi treatment takes facial oxygen treatments to the next level and enables you to perform them at home at a fraction of the price!

What does oxygen do?

oxygen facial treatment
Traditional oxygen facial

Oxygen is vital for the health and maintenance of all human cells.  When it comes to skin cells, young skin more easily absorbs and benefits from oxygen than older skin.  The reason is that older skin slowly loses its ability to retain and use the oxygen for its daily functioning, namely, repair and regeneration of skin tissue.

Therefore, boosting the amount of oxygen in the skin’s cells:

  • Increases the production of collagen
  • Accelerates cell metabolism and toxin removal
  • Expediates cell regeneration
  • Promotes skin repair

What can I expect from an oxygen treatment for the face?

During the oxygen facial treatment, an aesthetician will use a small spray gun to infuse oxygen into your skin.  In most cases, nourishing vitamins and minerals are also penetrated in order to achieve the best skincare results.  

The most common benefits of oxygen treatments for the face are:

  • Glowing skin – The oxygen, together with active ingredients such as vitamin C and E, rejuvenates the skin and gives it a fresh and glowing look.
  • Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles – The oxygen stimulates the body to produce new collagen.  As a result, the skin becomes tighter and firmer. 
  • Hydrated skin – Often, hyaluronic acid is infused into the skin.  The hyaluronic acid helps it to retain moisture and have a plumper appearance.
  • Improved textural imperfections – The oxygen boosts the cell’s metabolism, enabling it to clear away waste such as excess pigmentation. In addition, vitamin C decreases pigmentation.

The NowMi Oxygen Treatment for Face

The NowMi Pro vitamin C oxygen facial treatment kit
The NowMi Pro kit

Unlike traditional oxygen treatments for the face that are carried out in a spa, the NowMi is a home-based treatment.  It is modeled after the professional OxyGeno spa treatment and delivers better results.  The treatment includes 4 skin actions- exfoliation, nourishment, oxygenation and protection.

Exfoliation: The skin is gently exfoliated using the NowMi effervescent tablet.  The exfoliation removes all dead skin cells as well as makeup residue and dirt.  It thoroughly cleanses the pores and prepares them to best absorb the active ingredients.

Nourishment:  The NowMi treatment infuses the skin with pure vitamin C, vitamin E and Hyaluronic acid.  These ingredients play a vital role in the skin’s ability to heal and repair itself.  Vitamin C is integral in collagen synthesis, vitamin E supports the cell’s function and has anti-inflammatory properties, and Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin and enables it to retain water.

Oxygenation:  Unlike traditional facial treatments, the NowMi treatment stimulates the body to oxygenate itself from within.  It does this completely naturally, based on a scientific principle called the Bohr effect.  The Bohr effect states that if there is an excess amount of carbon dioxide on the skin, the body counters this by sending oxygen rich cells to the treatment area.  Therefore, during the NowMi treatment, a chemical reaction between the effervescent tablet and the gel creates a carbon dioxide rich environment.  The body then responds and oxygenates the area.  Since the oxygenation comes from within the body, it means that all of the cells are oxygenated. 

Protection:  Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants that protect the skin from extrinsic damage caused by UV rays, pollution and smoke. 

Conclusion:  

Oxygen treatments for the face are incredibly popular.  The oxygen revitalizes the skin and slows down the signs of aging. The NowMi treatment enables you to enjoy all of the benefits of a professional spa treatment in a quick and easy home-use treatment that costs a fraction of the price.

Additional reading: Vitamin C Oxygen Facials: All you need to know

Skin lightening facial treatment

Skin lightening facial treatments are designed to provide you with an even facial skin tone.  Most people have some form of dark spots, known as pigmentation, on their skin.  These can be freckles, sunspots, melasma and the like.  Fortunately, there are a variety of methods by which these spots can be eliminated and an even facial skin tone achieved.  The NowMi treatment is a completely natural solution that lightens the skin by infusing it with vitamin C.  The vitamin C helps the skin to remove the spots and limits the creation of new ones.

How are dark spots formed on the skin?

Dark spots are formed by the overproduction of a pigment called Melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives our skin, hair and eyes their color.  Dark skinned individuals have more melanin in their skin than light skinned individuals.  Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes. Within the skin, the melanocytes are located in the bottom layer of the skin’s epidermis known as the stratum basale.

Melanocytes | NowMi
Attribution: Cancer Research UK / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

There are many factors that cause the skin to produce excessive levels of melanin, also known as hyperpigmentation.  The primary factors are:

  1. Overexposure to the sun: The most common spots are known as sunspots or age spots.  They are formed when the body increases its production of melanin in order to limit the damaging effects UV light rays on the skin.  The melanin absorbs the light and is able to dissipate over 99.9% of the absorbed UV radiation.  The sunspots that form are uniformly colored areas of brown or grey pigment and appear anywhere on the body where the skin has been exposed to the sun, primarily on the face.
sunspots | NowMi
Sunspots


3. Hormonal changes:  When the body undergoes significant hormonal changes, such as puberty or pregnancy, it can produce excessive levels of melanin. During pregnancy for example, many women develop dark grey or brown spots on their face known as Melasma.  The spots usually form on the bridge of the nose, forehead, cheeks and upper lip.  Melasma can also form as a result of hormonal based medication such as birth control and growth hormones.  Other medications that are associated with hyperpigmentation are: Doxycycline and minocycline antibiotics, Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Cytotoxic drugs or chemotherapy drugs, Antimalarial drugs, Phenytoin, Amiodarone, Antipsychotic drugs.

skin lightning; NowMi
Image courtesy of Taisa Anjos from Pixabay

4. Age:  As we age, our skin develops more dark patches. The reason is that the melanocytes increase in size rather in number.  Also as we age, there is a decrease in the levels of collagen in the skin (collagen is the protein that gives the skin its firmness and elasticity).  As a result, the skin becomes thinner and paler, and the contrast between the dark spots and the facial skin’s tone increases. 

5. Genetics:  A person’s genetic predisposition plays a major role in how their skin will look and feel.  Specifically, the genetic makeup determines the size and distribution of melanosomes in the skin.  People genetically have more freckles and are more/less sensitive to the sun’s UV rays.

Fortunately, there are a variety of skin lightening facial treatments that reverse damage caused by hyperpigmentation and restore the skin to its natural skin tone. The treatments usually include vitamin C, Retinol, Arbutin or Kojic Acid (Hydroquinone was once a favorite but now it is banned in many countries).

The NowMi Skin Lightening Facial Treatment

The NowMi Pro weekly treatment kit
The NowMi Pro kit

The NowMi treatment is a facial treatment that dramatically reduces pigmentation and also prevents it from forming.  Unlike other alternatives, you can carry out the treatment in the comfort of your own home and it only takes 5 minutes!

During the NowMi treatment, pure vitamin C is infused into the skin. Vitamin C has been clinically proven to inhibit the production of the tyrosinase enzyme – the enzyme responsible for the production of melanin.  In addition, it improves the metabolism of the cells and their waste clearance capabilities. This means that the vitamin helps the skin to clear away dark spots and return it to its original coloration.

Furthermore, during the NowMi treatment, the skin is exfoliated.  The exfoliation removes the outermost layer of the skin and clears away dead skin cells including darkened skin cells!  As a result, the level of hyperpigmentation is reduced.

The NowMi treatment also stimulates the body to oxygenate itself from within.  The skin cells in the treatment area are given a boost of oxygen which dramatically improves their functioning.  They are able to clear away excess melanin and limit skin pigmentation related to premature skin aging.

Importantly, the NowMi treatment protects the skin.  In addition to the vitamin C, vitamin E and Hyaluronic acid are infused into the skin.  Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants that help the skin combat free-radicals.  Free radicals are “unstable atoms that can damage cells, causing illness and aging”.   They are the major reason why sunspots are formed- the UV rays simulate of free radicals on the skin, and the skin responds by producing more melanin to limit their damaging effect.  Finally, Hyaluronic acid helps the skin to retain moisture and has also been shown to limit pigmentation.

Conclusion:

Sunspots and dark spots hide the skin’s natural texture and beauty.  Fortunately, it has never been easier to remove them.  One of the most innovative skin lightening facial treatment is the NowMi treatment. NowMi is a home-base device that uses high concentration (50%) pure vitamin C to eliminate unwanted pigmentation.  The treatment takes only 5 minutes and the results are fantastic. Try it today!

Additional reading: Facial Skin Rejuvenation