Vance Hiller: Review : Cyspera Intensive Pigment Corrector

What is it?

A novel pigment corrector that is hydroquinone free.

Who is it for?

Anyone looking to treat melasma, dark spots, pigmentation and post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation.

This is a hydroquinone-free option making it safe for long-term use.

What’s in it?

The main ingredient in this is 5% Cysteamine.

All Ingredients:

Aqua, Paraf num Liquidum, Cysteamine HCL, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Octyldodecanol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Ceteareth-12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Tocopherol, Cera Alba, BHT, Tetra Sodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamic Aldehyde, Linalool, Geraniol

How to use?

Cyspera should be applied every night OR morning and then washed off. This should be applied on unwashed skin! And yes, it can penetrate through your light makeup and skincare.

Do not wash skin before application.

Do not wash your face before application. If necessary to wash, wait one hour before application of Cyspera on a dry and rested skin. I personally applied this every morning.

Apply Cyspera for 15-20 minutes

Once a day as part of your morning/ evening routine, apply a thin layer of Cyspera to the whole area to be treated. Leave on for 15 minutes only. I recommend working up to 20 minutes after 2 months.

Wash off.

After 15 mins, cleanse your skin thoroughly with a gentle cleanser and water. Gently pat your face dry.

Apply a moisturising cream or lotion.

What to expect?

A visible decrease in pigmentation and drastic results at the 12 week mark.

Pros

First & only skin pigment corrector containing cysteamine as ingredient
Intensive — clinically proven. Set to replace hydroquinone as the new standard for hyperpigmentation concerns
Safe — hydroquinone-free, retinoic acid free, kojic acid free, corticosteroid-free
Works on all skin tones
Won’t bleach normal toned skin
Safe to use all year round
Won’t cause additional photosensitvity
Readily available online (Prescription not required)
Can be combined with other actives

Cons

Short contact therapy can be labour intensive

Conclusion

Previously, the most common skin-depigmenting agent for the treatment of melasma and pigmentation had been hydroquinone. However, with growing fears over hydroquinone’s link to ochronsis when applied topically as well as carcinogenicity in animal studies, restrictions have been applied to its use in almost all worldwide markets. This has left dermatologists and patients seeking a new alternative.

While I still feel hydroquinone is a safe option to consider when used under the supervision of a board certified dermatologist, it can’t be used long term which is why I typically prefer HQ-free options.

This can be easily combined with hydroquinone free options like azelaic acid and tranexamic acid.

Cysteamine has been shown by researchers in laboratory studies to have significant de-pigmenting activity, but it has never been formulated into a cream due to its very unpleasant sulphur odour. Thankfully, Scientists Pharma has managed to develop a stabilized form with significantly reduced odour.

Clinical studies (links below) have shown Cyspera to be superior to traditional depigmenting creams such as Hydroquinone in treating melasma. It is also safer and gentler on human skin due to the fact that it is naturally occurring in human skin cells, and does not have carcinogenic (cancer-causing) potential in long-term use.

In fact, Cyspera’s been shown to treat recalcitrant melasma resistant to Kligman’s formula.

Cysteamine is a natural molecule with an excellent safety profile and known antimutagenic, antimelanoma, and anticarcinogenic effects. Considering the high efficacy of cysteamine cream, it’s definitely my favourite topical option for treating stubborn pigmentation.

While the short contact therapy can be labour intensive, it also means there’s a much lower risk of the topical inflaming the skin and causing pigmentation.

Sources: