S e e in g s p o ts ?
Freckles and age spots
WHAT’S CAUSING THEM?
In a word:
sunlight. “When your body is exposed to
UV rays, it protects itself by producing red
or brown pigment,” says Hirsch. This
hyperpigmentation, as doctors call it,
increases with age (though most of the
damage probably occurred well before
your twentieth birthday).
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
It’s never
too late to slow the rate of damage. Look
for hydroquinone, a bleaching agent found
in over-the-counter and prescription
remedies. “It’s the single best treatment
for existing brown spots,” says Hirsch.
Apply it only to the areas that need to be
lightened. Protect against future spots by
applying an SPF 30 lotion with UVA filters
such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide,
or avobenzone.
TRY
Clarins UV Plus Day Screen,
SPF40, $40; or Olay Definity Self
Repair Serum, $28.
HOW YOUR DOCTOR CAN HELP
R e d in t h e fa c e ?
Redness and rosacea
Medical-grade chemical peels and
microdermabrasion can subtly lighten
spots. Lasers like the Intense Pulsed
Light (IPL) machine are also effective in
correcting hyperpigmentation.
MAKEUP TRICKS
Even out
your skin tone with a
foundation a shade or two
darker than your skin,
suggests Carmindy, author
of
The
5
M inute Face
(Harper Collins). Stay
away from anything too
brown, like bronzer, on
the cheeks—it will
enhance dark patches.
TRY
Max Factor Pan-Stik
Ultra Creamy Makeup, $8.
WHAT’S CAUSING IT?
Sunburns, over-
exertion, and anger can temporarily leave
you red and blotchy. But if you experience
frequent flushing, bumpy breakouts, and have
visible capillaries on the cheeks or nose, you
may have rosacea. Scientists are stumped by
its cause, but they do know flare-ups are
triggered by sun, stress, and skin care
products such as too-harsh scrubs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
Most rosacea
salves ease redness by temporarily
constricting blood vessels and calming skin
with soothing ingredients such as feverfew
and licorice extract. Daily sunscreen is also
essential. “Photodamage makes redness
and inflammation much worse,” says Dr.
Diane Berson, assistant professor of
dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical
College of Cornell University.
2
3
4
5
6
7
M
a s t e r i n g D
i s g u i s e
T h e d e n s e , h e a v y p i g m e n t s in c o n c e a l e r a l l o w y o u t o h i d e
i m p e r f e c t i o n s — f r o m a c n e t o f i n e lin e s t o s c a r s . F o l l o w t h e s e
s e v e n s i m p l e s t e p s t o g e t m a k e u p - a r t i s t - w o r t h y r e s u lt s .
Start by buying TWO SHADES OF CONCEALER—one that matches your
foundation to hide broken capillaries, pimples, and brown spots, and a lighter one
for under-eye use.
Always use a SYNTHETIC-BRISTLE CONCEALER BRUSH for application. It
reaches into tiny spaces and does a more precise job than fingers alone.
WHETHER COVERING UNDER-EYE CIRCLES OR BLEMISHES the process is
essentially the same. However, it’s important for concealer used under the eyes to
have a sheerer consistency, so mix in a dab of your eye cream for natural-looking
coverage and extra moisture.
TRY
Amazing
Cosmetics
Amazing
Concealer and
brush, $40;
or Laura
Mercier Secret
Concealer, $22.
Using your brush, DOT (DON’T RUB) THE CONCEALER
wherever needed then tap lightly over it with the pad of your
finger. Body heat makes concealer more pliable.
USE CONCEALER SPARINGLY and build as needed. A little
goes a long way.
SET IT IN PLACE with a light dusting of face powder
over top.
DON’T POINT OUT these imperfections to your
friends, suggests Carmindy. “They probably didn’t
notice your pimple until you started talking about it.”
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OCTOBER 2008 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
