Hyperpigmentation & Biking

[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