Hyperpigmentation & Biking

[californiagirl]

I'm 39 and recently developed a love of road biking. My husband is a serious biker so it was nice for us to finally find something that can reconnect us after the wedge that kids can create in a marriage.

Here's my problem. Six months ago, my dermatologist also told me that I developed a bad case of hyperpigmentation which means I have really dark spots now all around my left and right cheekbones and upperlip. I'm forced to stay out of the sun and wear lots of make up to cover the dark spots. The only treatment is skin bleachers, sunscreen, and staying out of the sun.

So, how do I keep on biking with my husband and still keep my hyperpigmentation from getting worse. I tried wearing one of those fullcoverage sunhats under my bike helmut last week and he almost fell off his bike laughing at how silly I looked. I must admit that I looked pretty ridiculous with the floppy hat, white face (I had to put on a layer of zinc oxide on top of sunscreen) and lipstick.

Is there anyone out there who has battled hyperpigmentation? Any advice for continuing my rides while protecting my face or do I need to give up the road bike?

Help!

[Biciclista]

you could move to Seattle.
I don't think anyone here can give you a better answer than your doctor. Good luck.
We worry here about not getting ENOUGH sun!

[moonfroggy]

could you do rides super early and watch the sun ride or late in the day when there is less light and use really good bike lights for visibility? also wear very bright yellow clothing maybe?

[marni]

another thought is that synthetic sweeteners increase the sensitivity of the skin to sun. This may not be a cure but you could do worse than cut out all of the synthetic sweeteners. It will take a long time before you see any difference, but for me, at least, the change is noticable on my arms and on my face. I will add that I was not suffering from hyperpicmentation but definitely showing larger and larger " age spots." which have since declined and ceased as long as I am systematic with sun screen before, during and after the ride.

marni

[Zen]

another thought is that synthetic sweeteners increase the sensitivity of the skin to sun.

In some people.
There are many drugs and ingredients that can cause this.
http://www.enotalone.com/article/8376.html

[Susan]

I have hyperpigmentation too on my cheeks. All women in my family have
The spots where quite dark first, but have become better and better. Now, if you don't know where to look, you could not tell that there are darker spots on my face. (You can still see the spots if looking really close.)

What I have done: I use sunblocker (50+) on my face every day and really try to never forget it. I have a sunscreen (that isn't greasy) that I use just after washing my face. When I know I will stay in the sun for a longer period of time, for example when I do a MTB tour or go swimming, I use a Mineral-based sunscreen 50+ (it's like Make-up, in a skintone) on top of that. When the days get dark in winter I use it only on the darker spots, not on the whole face.

I also try to avoid direct sun on my face as much as possible. So I wear hats or my bikehelmet or stay in the shadow if possible. I also am under the impression that the reflections of of some sunglasses don't do any good on my cheeks, so I bought a pair of very big ones that don't end right where my dark spots are (don't know if it is understandable what I mean?).

It was about four years ago when I first developed that dark spots. It took some time for them to become lighter. They always become lighter in winter and darker in summer, but they are hardly noticeable today and we had some quite sunny weeks this summer.

I guess it's harder to get rid of the spots if you live in a very hot climate. But don't give up, it takes some time, but it really gets better if you protect your skin from sun.
I never gave up cycling or doing what I want to do!

I wish you the best!
Susan

[GLC1968]

I had that problem when I lived in FL and then in NC. Biking absolutely made it worse even using sunscreen.

Turns out, that for me, it was caused by BC pills. Once I went off them (I got an IUD), the pigmentation eventually faded. Now, 5 years later, it's totally gone and I am totally synthetic hormone free.

Are you on BCP and if so, do you have any other alternatives? Oh, and FWIW, my derm prescribed crazy expensive creams to fade it and said that was pretty much my only option. He never even once made the connection to the BCP hormones. No one did until I moved to NC and got a better OB-GYN and he made the connection for me.

[Susan]

Oh yes GLC is right I forgot to mention it. I don't take Hormones anymore, my sister who does has even more problems with hyperpigmentation. Also St. John's wort (my dictionary tells me thats the right translation... hope it's the right word) - drunk as tea - can cause it.

[shootingstar]

'Cause of cycling lots..I am getting freckling faster. I have never taken any BC pills in my life. Nor do I ingest any drug for anything else on a regular basis.

However I do think it might be hereditary in my case. Though my siblings are not affected in the same way because they aren't doing outdoor stuff as long as me.

This is why I haven't done any sunbathing at any beach for the last 15 years. And I have been to Hawaii twice, I also live near beaches at home, etc.

My arms and legs, by the way do have a reasonably 'clear' skin. But still slap on sunblock. I have zero interest in wearing sleeveless tops when I go cycling/hiking though my figure could easily wear such clothing well.

I tend to cycle better earlier in morning or later in evening anyway and dislike starting off any cycling trip close to noon or later when it's sunnier. My body doesn't seem to be as "perky"/"revved up" at that time of day.

I guess the way how I look at all this: I'm still overall health-wise better on the bike instead of avoiding cycling because of sun-affected pigmentation.

I don't care about strange tan lines anymore....and haven't for many years. I see them as badges of healthy outdoor activity.

[Zen]

.

I don't care about strange tan lines anymore....and haven't for many years. I see them as badges of healthy outdoor activity.

I care about strange tan lines. They interfere with my nude modeling career.

[Serendipity]

I care about strange tan lines. They interfere with my nude modeling career.

Zen, that is too funny - just about snorted my coffee when I read that. LOLOL!
Still laughing!