FAQs

Cyspera is suitable for every skin type.

But every skin is unique and requires specific care based on its type and sensitivity.

To test your tolerance, you may perform a patch test on a small area of your skin. And for guidance tailored to your unique situation, we always recommend consulting with a skincare specialist.

The Fitzpatrick Scale is the most widely-used method for determining skin types. The Fitzpatrick Scale measures the amount of pigment in the skin and tolerance one’s skin has to the sun.

Melanin is the pigment that gives color to the skin and helps to protect it from sun damage. The darkening of the skin that occurs after exposure to the sun is actually part of the skin’s natural process of protection from sun damage. Usually, increased pigmentation is temporary. It fades over time, and the skin returns to its natural shade. Over time, some darkening of skin tone can become persistent. Long-lasting uneven skin tone—dark patches on the face, limbs, and other body areas—may be a sign of melasma. Melasma is a skin condition characterized by patches of dark discoloration of the skin. The patches tend to be symmetrical. That means they usually appear on both sides of the body in a similar pattern, such as on both cheeks, for example. Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation means simply an overabundance of pigmentation. Melasma is more common among women than men, and it usually affects young women more frequently than older women. Pregnant women can experience melasma during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes. This is sometimes called “the mask of pregnancy.”

Melasma is one form of hyperpigmentation, and it may sometimes share an appearance similar to other forms of the condition. For example, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a form of hyperpigmentation that results from inflammation or trauma to the skin.

However, melasma is more likely to affect the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and lips. Other sun-exposed areas, like forearms and neck, also can be involved. Melasma is often identified by its characteristic symmetric distribution and patchy appearance. A doctor, such as a dermatologist who specializes in skin conditions, can identify melasma based on a visual examination.

The characteristic appearance of melasma is usually enough to determine a diagnosis, though the doctor will likely ask questions about when and how the condition began. Since melasma may be inherited and runs in families, the doctor may also ask about family members who may have similar skin concerns.

If needed, there are a few tests that can help support the diagnosis of melasma. A Wood’s Lamp is a special light that, when shined on the skin, can make it easier for a doctor to see the variation in skin pigmentation. A biopsy—a tiny sample of skin that the doctor removes—can be tested to confirm melasma.

As a natural defense mechanism, the skin revs up production of melanin through a complex process that involves numerous different types of cells in the skin.

These may include hormones and immune cells, among others. The process begins when the skin receives a signal of potential damage and usually lasts for a brief period.

Melasma develops when this natural process is too robust or does not turn off. Multiple factors can contribute to melasma.

For example:
– There can be genetic contributors, meaning that a predisposition to melasma may be inherited. Many people with melasma report that a parent or other family member had the condition, too.

– Hormonal factors can affect melasma. Melasma may indicate underlying hormonal imbalances or result from hormonal changes related to pregnancy.

– Certain birth control pills have been linked to melasma because of their influence on hormones. Sun exposure – especially over a significant amount of time – can lead to hyperpigmentation.

– High heat exposure and stress have been linked to melasma to some degree.

Melasma is not dangerous. Remember, it is a result of the skin’s natural defense mechanisms. However, patchy pigmentation may be a cosmetic concern. When melasma appears on the face, it can cause distress for the affected individual. Individuals may also become frustrated about the persistence of the condition. Stress over the appearance of melasma can, unfortunately, further aggravate the condition.

Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin.

PIH
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a darkening of the skin that persists after an inflammatory skin condition. Purple, brown, or tan-sometimes with a blue or grey tint-flat spots or patches appear on the skin surface.

Melasma
Melasma is one form of hyperpigmentation, and it may sometimes share an appearance similar to other forms of the condition. For example, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a form of hyperpigmentation that results from inflammation or trauma to the skin.

Periorbital Hyperpigmentation
Periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) or perioral hyperpigmentation is identified based on visual assessment by a physician. Sometimes as a person ages, the eye area can appear more “sunken in” as fatty deposits shift and the skin texture changes.

Lips Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation of the skin is when a portion of the skin is darker than the other surrounding areas. This occurs due to melanin. Melanin is the pigment that is produced by cells called melanocytes.Lips Hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation of the skin is when a portion of the skin is darker than the other surrounding areas. This occurs due to melanin. Melanin is the pigment that is produced by cells called melanocytes.

Lentigo Hyperpigmentation
Lentigo (plural lentigines) is the formal medical term for what many people informally call “liver spots” because of their dark brown color. Lentigines are a form of hyperpigmentation and, although they are not considered dangerous.x