I recently had a fun outing with Connie at a paintball park. The lass managed to get herself through the whole day without getting a single bruise! I on the other hand, had a couple of trophies to show 🙂 It was fun anyway and I’m game for another session 😀
However, playing paintball meant I was out in the sun at one of the worst times of the day – around noon. I did slather on my sunblock (I specifically used sunblock with zinc oxide for this) but I did find my skin pigmentation getting a little darker a couple of days later. Distressing.
I was recently given some advise to help combat the pigmentation that flares up after a day in the sun; and I’ve tried it and found that it works. So, I’d like to share it 🙂
I was told that after a session in the sun, I should immediately or as soon as I can when I get back, apply a whitening / brightening serum and a cool mask on the face. This helps calm the skin down and prevents/stops the melanin from working overtime. I’m no dermatologist but I tried it and it worked for me.
After another recent outing in the sun, I came home and used the Lancome Blanc Expert range more religiously:-
- Lancome Blanc Expert Spot Eraser liberally all over my face
- Lancome Blanc Expert Bio Cellulose mask over it for about 15-20 minutes
The next day I tried using another line I own by Kanebo Blanchir:-
- Kanebo Blanchir Whitening Conclusion all over the face
- Kanebo Blanchir Clear Condition mask for about 10 minutes
I did find that the pigmentation did not flare up as badly or as quickly as previously. With regular use of a spot serum – I alternate between the Lancome Blanc Expert Spot Eraser, Kiehl’s Ultimate White Whitening Serum and Kanebo Blanchir Whitening Conclusion – and using a soothing mask once a week, pigmentation was kept carefully under control and even seem to appear to be a little lighter. Yay! It is of course no substitute for using sunscreen and I’m always using the highest possible protection I can find everyday. I do fall off the bandwagon but I do find that regular use of a skin brightening product coupled with a soothing or whitening/brightening mask helps combat those pigmentation spots on your cheekbones 🙂
If you have a pigmentation problem like me (and fair skin tends to have this problem unfortunately) which causes your skin to look uneven in its colouring, you could give this method a shot. It works for me, and perhaps it might work for you too – besides its a perfect excuse for a weekly mini home facial 😉 Plus if you feel the need to even the look of your skin with makeup, I find using the Diorskin Nude Natural Glow loose powder helps 🙂
Do you have any tips to share on how to combat skin pigmentation? We could all learn from each other!
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
Jenn says
August 18, 2009 at 9:25 amWonderful tips Paris!! I agree with them whole heartedly! I find that if i slap on my Lancome spot corrector and whitening emulsion as soon as i get back from sun exposure and bathed, them spots won’t darken! 🙂 I’ll try putting on a mask next time! 😀 Pigmentation sucks huh!! 🙁
ps: i love the first pic!!! hehehe!! 😀
ParisB says
August 18, 2009 at 9:43 amHi Jenn
I agree – pigmentation sucks big time! But at least we’re getting around it with skincare and makeup eh? 😉
aiyu says
August 18, 2009 at 10:14 amThank you so much for this advice, this is godsend advice for me as my pigmentation’s getting worse by the day. 🙁
But I don’t have as much products as you, oh well, I’ll make do with what I have 🙂
ParisB says
August 18, 2009 at 10:19 amHi Aiyu
You don’t need a lot of products. Just a whitening/brightening serum and mask from any brand 🙂 If you already have them, you’re good to go! 😀
Reese says
August 18, 2009 at 10:20 amThe last time I was in Pulau Lang Tengah, I put on a whitenning hydration mask almost everyday after the sun, needless to say, I was the only one who did not tan as much as my other friends.
ParisB says
August 19, 2009 at 9:53 amHi Reese
That sounds great! I’m not into tanning myself so I’ll bear this in mind the next time I hit the beach
Vonvon says
August 18, 2009 at 10:33 amThanks for sharing, Paris!
Just wondering if you have any tips for the body, esp arms, because a few days ago, I was driving and the sun was so super-scorching hot that despite in the car, my arms got some mild sunburn and needless to say I have 2-tone on my arms now. I did put on sunscreen.
Thanks.
ParisB says
August 19, 2009 at 9:54 amHi Vonvon
If you have sunburn, don’t apply anything on it except aloe vera gel until the skin heals. If its to “lighten” skin, try the Nivea whitening lotion. Its the body lotion I turn to again and again because I like the feel, the scent and I believe it works… slightly.
prettybeautiful says
August 18, 2009 at 10:40 amwow PB u looked like some SWAT team. awesome! last time i went for paintball, i used the sunplay spf130. i was wearing long sleeves shirt n jeans, and then another outer layer of tracksuit for the fear of sunburn and bruise. so of coz i didnt come home with any ‘trophies’. ^_^ but i find that applying whitening mask after sun really helps. i have a patch of pigmentation on my skin too, which i certainly do not want to worsen it.
ParisB says
August 19, 2009 at 9:55 amHi prettybeautiful,
Hehe… yeah it was a great pic eh? 😉 I was less concerned about wrapping up because I didn’t want to expire in the heat!
Nikki says
August 18, 2009 at 11:03 amPB!!!! You are too cute and funny at the same time, you know what? You can have a group picture wearing that and I can still pinpoint you!!!! you have such lovely skin!!!! Thanks for the tips 🙂
ParisB says
August 19, 2009 at 9:56 amHey Nikki
LOL… thanks! I’ll try a group pic next time I go paintballing and test you 😀
Shop N' Chomp says
August 18, 2009 at 12:31 pmOh my gosh, this is what I do too! Only I do the mask first, then the serum, and finally moisturizer. Not sure if it matters though since either way both products are used. Sometimes I will leave the mask essence on my face and then just moisturize.
ParisB says
August 19, 2009 at 9:56 amHi Shop n Chomp
I think essence then mask may work a little better because its double whammy at a go? I’m not sure but if it works for you hey, keep doing it!
Monstro says
August 18, 2009 at 1:06 pmGo PB Go! You look positively fearsome in that mask!
Great tips on pigmentation control–must try it out.
The biggest problem with me is that I love to tan, but I hate spots–duh!
How does one control that??
ParisB says
August 19, 2009 at 9:58 amHey Monstro
Do you mean pimple spots? If its caused by the sun/heat then you can try using a mask after going out in the sun too but not a whitening one – a moisture one instead to cool down the skin. That way you get a tan and curb the spots!
rinnah says
August 18, 2009 at 7:31 pmHahaha… you look absolutely “cute” as a sniper in that first pic! I’m game for paintball too, if anyone wants to get up another session? Hehehe.
ParisB says
August 19, 2009 at 9:58 amHey Rinnah
Woot! I’ll give you a call next time we have a session!
synical says
August 18, 2009 at 7:35 pmPaintball for me is like going to Batu Caves during Thaipusam – once in a lifetime is more than enough 😛
Good to know you had fun with it, but with my tendency to bruise like a tomato… I’m not dying to go back.
ParisB says
August 19, 2009 at 9:58 amHey Synical
LOL at your analogy. I really enjoyed paintball and I bruise easily too. It wasn’t that bad 🙂
Connie says
August 19, 2009 at 1:12 amLol! I was wondering when I was gonna see that picture! Y’know I actually went for the 2nd time and still didn’t get any bruises! the pellet grazed my elbow and that was it! Come come we go again. hehe
Great tips PB! Ahhh…. I embrace the sun but after getting several pigmentation spots on my cheek, I’ve started to use sunblock everyday. No whitening products for me though as most of them react badly to my skin 🙁 I’d get rashes.
ParisB says
August 19, 2009 at 10:02 amHey Connie
Hehe… I sure took my time eh? We need to go paintballing again! I think the pellets from the last time are still around! :O
Shop N' Chomp says
August 19, 2009 at 11:34 amI think I’ll try the essence first, then mask. Certainly couldn’t hurt 🙂
Jamilla Camel says
August 20, 2009 at 11:24 pmParis, I’m out here in Oman, and I’m doing my very best with the whiteniing and brightening products! I’ve been out here for 6 days now, and despite the whitening treatments and SPF 90+, I’m still 2 shades darker!
I guess I’ll have to wait till I’m back in the UK to fade back to normal….
Thanks for the tips!
ParisB says
August 21, 2009 at 9:14 amHi Jamilla
I know what you mean – You can’t help turning darker if the sun’s so hot all the time. When I used to live in a temperate country, I was 2 shades lighter!