Plenty of us are plagued by a range of skin discolorations, including sunspots, age spots, post-acne marks, that don’t fade. And while there are plenty of in-office treatments to erase them, our at-home options don’t have the best reputation for effectively managing pesky dark spots. We can already do a ton for our skin with the right products, but our skin-care options for dark-spot correction at home have been limited.
At least, until now.
The Battle for Dark-Spot Correction
According to New York dermatologist Andrew Alexis, MD, there are a few reasons we might develop dark spots.
“Dark spots or patches (referred to as hyperpigmentation) can arise as a result of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne or eczema, which is a phenomenon called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” Dr. Alexis. “They can also occur from skin disorders that are characterized by increased pigment production such as melasma.”
With so many causes, it’s no surprise that La Roche-Posay’s global epidemiological survey found 50 percent of people in the world have at least one pigmentation disorder.
The Home Front
“Hyperpigmentation can be very challenging to treat,” Dr. Alexis says. “Especially with ‘at-home’ treatments, as non-prescription products have historically been limited with respect to efficacy and mechanism of action.”
Options like vitamin C and retinoids have been the traditional go-tos for dark-spot correction, but they don’t necessarily work for everyone.
“Until recent innovations in available formulations to treat hyperpigmentation, over-the-counter options often fell short in terms of effectiveness or were in some cases associated with a risk of irritation and alterations in normal pigmentation,” Dr. Alexis explains.
This is especially true for those with darker skin tones, leaving very few options for at-home treatment. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that hyperpigmentation is one of the most common reasons that people with darker skin seek out a dermatologist.
The Next Generation of Dark-Spot Correction
After 18 years of research and development, La Roche-Posay has debuted a novel, multi-patented ingredient to change everything about traditional at-home dark-spot correction. By screening over 100,000 molecules for their potential in dark-spot correction, researchers identified Melasyl® for its mode of action and efficacy profile.
During clinical testing, La-Roche Posay tested their serum on a wide range of skin tones, with board certified dermatologists evaluating the results. That means Mela B3 Serum is an effective option for dark-spot correction even for darker skin tones.
“The safety and tolerability of Mela B3 serum has also been demonstrated in numerous well-designed clinical studies involving diverse populations,” Dr. Alexis says.
Turning the Tide at Home
With 85% of users seeing a reduction in the look of persistent dark spots after 8 weeks*, Mela B3 serum represents a huge leap forward in dark-spot correction. And it’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
“After washing the face with a gentle cleanser, apply Mela B3 twice daily along with a moisturizer containing sunscreen (in the morning/daylight hours),” Dr. Alexis explains.
You can even combine this serum with traditional methods to even skin tone. If combining Mela B3 serum with a vitamin C serum, La Roche-Posay recommends using vitamin C in the mornings and the Mela B3 at night. They recommend the opposite if you choose to use a retinoid, starting with Mela B3 in the morning and using retinoids at night.
Disclaimer
*After 8 weeks of use, 85% of subjects showed improvement in at least one of dark spot size or contrast, as assessed by expert grading
