DeeMac Global Pharmaceuticals

23/11/2025

WHAT IS HYPERPIGMENTATION?

Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition where patches of skin become darker than the surrounding skin. This darkening occurs due to an excess production of melanin, the brown pigment responsible for your skin, hair, and eye color.

Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes. When these cells are damaged or stimulated, they can go into overdrive, creating an over-concentration of melanin in certain areas.

The Main Causes and Triggers

Understanding the trigger is the first step to effective treatment.

1. Sun Exposure (The Cause):
UV radiation from the sun is the primary stimulator of melanin production. It's responsible for sunspots and can worsen all other forms of hyperpigmentation. **Sun protection is non-negotiable.

2. Hormonal Influences (Melasma):
Fluctuations in hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, can trigger melanin production. This is common during:
* Pregnancy (often called the "mask of pregnancy")
* Use of birth control pills or HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).

3. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH):
This occurs after the skin experiences inflammation or injury. As the skin heals, it produces excess melanin, leaving a flat, dark mark behind. Common causes include:
* Acne
* Eczema
* Psoriasis
* Allergic reactions
* Cuts, burns, or abrasions
* Cosmetic procedures (like laser or chemical peels, if not done correctly).

4. Medical Conditions and Medications:
Certain diseases, like Addison's disease, can cause hyperpigmentation.

5. Medications:
Some drugs (like certain chemotherapy drugs, antimalarials, and antibiotics) can list hyperpigmentation as a side effect.

TYPES OF HYPERPIGMENTATION

What it Looks Like | Common Causes & Locations

1. Sun Spots (Solar Lentigines)
Small, flat, darkened patches. Can be tan, brown, or black.

2. Sun exposure
Over time. Typically on sun-exposed areas: face, hands, shoulders, chest, and back of hands.

3. Melasma
Larger symmetrical patches with irregular, map-like borders. Usually tan or brownish.

4. Hormonal changes:
Common on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, and chin.

5. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Flat spots or patches that range from pink to red, brown, or black, matching your skin tone.

6. Inflammation or injury.
Appears exactly where the skin was inflamed (e.g., after a pimple heals).

HOW TO TREAT HYPERPIGMENTATION

Treatment requires patience and consistency, as it can take months to see significant results. A combination approach is often best.

1. The Golden Rule: Daily Sun Protection
This is the most crucial step. Without it, any other treatment is futile.
* Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 30 or higher one every single day, in rain or sunshine.
* Reapply your protective or preventive creams every two hours if you are outdoors.
* Wear hats and seek shade.

2. Topical Products (The Workhorses)

🩺Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid):
A powerful antioxidant that protects against UV damage and inhibits the melanin production enzyme (tyrosinase). Use it in the morning before sunscreen.

🩺Retinoids (Retinol, Tretinoin):
Speed up cell turnover, helping to shed pigmented skin cells faster. They also help to disrupt the transfer of melanin to skin cells. Prescription-strength (Tretinoin) is very effective.

🩺Niacinamide (Vitamin B3):
Helps reduce the transfer of pigment from melanocytes to skin cells. It's anti-inflammatory and works well for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

🩺Azelaic Acid:
Excellent for treating both acne and the PIH that follows. It reduces inflammation and tyrosinase activity.

🩺Kojic Acid & Alpha Arbutin:
Both work by inhibiting tyrosinase. They are often found in serums and creams alongside other brightening ingredients.

🩺Hydroquinone:
A very potent, prescription-only (in many countries) ingredient that lightens the skin by suppressing melanocyte activity. It should only be used under a doctor's supervision for short periods due to potential side effects.

3. Professional Treatments

For stubborn or deep pigmentation, in-office procedures can be highly effective.

🎯Chemical Peels:
Use acids (like glycolic, salicylic, or TCA) to exfoliate the top layers of the skin, reducing the appearance of dark spots.

🎯Laser Therapies (IPL, Fractional Lasers):
Targets melanin with specific light wavelengths, breaking up the pigment. The body then naturally removes the fragmented particles.

🎯Microdermabrasion:
A physical exfoliation that sands away the outer layer of skin.

🎯Microneedling:
Creates micro-injuries to stimulate skin remodeling and can be combined with topical serums for better pe*******on.

CRUCIAL:
Always consult a board-certified dermatologist before starting aggressive treatments.

16/11/2025

IN COMMEMORATION OF WORLD DIABETIC DAY 14TH NOVEMBER, 2025

Type 2 diabetes management encompasses lifestyle measures, pharmacotherapy, and ongoing monitoring to achieve glycemic targets and reduce complications.

DIETARY MODIFICATIONS
🩺Culturally and financially appropriate diet:

Tailor meal plans to patient resources and practices (eg, Ramadan observance) with frequent glucose monitoring and medication-timing adjustments during fasting [[1]].

🩺Weight loss goals:
Modest weight loss (5–10% of body weight) improves HbA1c, blood pressure, HDL-C, and triglycerides; greater benefits occur with 10–15% loss. Continued weight-management pharmacotherapy is advised even after goals are reached to prevent weight regain and cardiometabolic deterioration.

🩺Mediterranean-style diet:
In overweight, newly diagnosed patients, a low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet (

02/11/2025

WHAT DOES VITAMIN C DO FOR THE SKIN?

In skin care, vitamin C functions primarily as a powerful antioxidant to protect against environmental damage and a collagen booster to maintain skin firmness and elasticity, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps to brighten skin, improve uneven tone and hyperpigmentation by interfering with melanin production, and can assist with skin hydration and wound healing.

KEY FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN C ON THE SKIN

1. Antioxidant Protection:
Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals from UV radiation and pollution, which are responsible for oxidative stress and signs of premature aging like wrinkles and dark spots.

2. Collagen Synthesis:
As an essential nutrient for collagen production, vitamin C helps to maintain skin's firmness, elasticity, and structure.
Brightens and Evens Skin Tone:
By reducing the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, vitamin C can decrease melanin production, leading to a more radiant and even complexion and diminishing the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

3. Reduces Hyperpigmentation:
It helps to fade dark spots and discoloration by minimizing the formation of melanin.

4. Supports Wound Healing:
By promoting the synthesis of collagen, vitamin C can accelerate the healing process of acne wounds and improve the appearance of scars.

5. Enhances Hydration:
Vitamin C can improve the skin's ability to retain moisture, contributing to a hydrated and healthy-looking epidermis.

6. Anticipates and Minimizes UV Damage:
Although not a replacement for sunscreen, vitamin C can supplement protection against sun damage, helping to minimize the effects of photodamage.

28/10/2025

26/10/2025

BENEFITS OF WASHING VEGETABLES & FRUITS

Have you ever wondered what might be hiding on those fresh, green vegetables bought from the market?
They may look clean and smell fresh, but beneath those leaves could lie something far more dangerous than dirt — something invisible, quiet, and harmful to the body.

In many local markets, vegetables like cabbage, ugwu, spinach, and okra pass through several hands, buckets of water, and open air before reaching home kitchens. And in between all that freshness lies a mix of risks most people never think about — from viruses to parasites, from chemicals to bacteria;

PREVENTABLE BENEFITS
• Hepatitis A, spread through contaminated water and food known to cause fever and liver inflammation.

• Typhoid bacteria, often from dirty water or unwashed hands.

• Cholera and diarrheal germs, which thrive in market water used to keep vegetables looking fresh.

• Worms and parasites like roundworms and amoebas that cling to leaves grown in contaminated soil.

• E. coli and other harmful bacteria from animal waste or poor handling.

• Chemical residues from excessive pesticide use that can damage the liver, kidneys, or nerves over time.

• Fungal spores and molds, especially on damp vegetables, which may produce toxins harmful to the body.

Cabbage, in particular, traps hidden dirt, insects, and even larvae between its layers — making thorough washing critical before use in salads, coleslaw, or soups.

Washing vegetables quickly in the same water everyone uses is not enough. Floods and dirty irrigation water often mix with sewage and waste. Vendors may have small cuts on their hands. Even the soil and buckets used for rinsing might already be contaminated.

Cooking alone doesn’t solve the problem either. Some of these germs survive light boiling or uneven heat, especially in dishes like lightly steamed ugwu, salads, or coleslaw. And once an infected vegetable touches a knife, cutting board, or hand, the contamination can quietly spread again.

THE SAFEST WAYS

To protect the family is simple — wash vegetables thoroughly and wisely;

• Soak briefly in water mixed with local vinegar or ash-soap to weaken germs and viruses.

• Separate cabbage leaves and scrub gently under running or clean, safe water.

• Rinse again in fresh, clean water — not reused water.

• Dry properly on a clean clothe before cooking or eating.

These few steps can reduce infection risk by nearly 90%.

Health should never be left to chance or the thought that “it looks clean.” Protecting the liver, stomach, and overall well-being starts from the kitchen — with how we handle the food we eat.

How Do People In Your Home Wash Vegetables?

24/10/2025

DISCONTINUATION OF THE LISTED BRANDS

Public Alert No. 032/2025.
Alert on the discontinuation of the production of penicillin-based moiety by Miraflash


https://bit.ly/47gSkkE

NAFDAC is notifying the public of the decision to discontinue the production of penicillin-based products by Miraflash Nigeria Limited.

This decision is taken as a corrective measure and closure of a critical observation made during a GMP inspection conducted in the company by a team of NAFDAC officers in June 2024.
The list below is a compilation of all the affected penicillin-based products being discontinued, along with their respective NAFDAC Registration Numbers.

NAFDAC hereby advises all relevant stakeholders to note this discontinuation and take necessary steps to ensure the proper transition to alternative sources of penicillin-based medicines where required.
• Discontinue ordering or restocking penicillin-based products manufactured by Miraflash Nigeria Limited.
• Verify product availability from other authorised and licensed manufacturers.
• Report any suspected substandard or falsified penicillin-based products claiming to be from Miraflash Nigeria Limited to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322 or send an email to sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

23/10/2025

BEWARE OF THIS IN CIRCULATION

19/10/2025

🦸 Be a Handwashing Hero! ✨ I
​The power to fight germs and protect your loved ones is in your hands. A hero knows that tiny habits make a massive difference.

​Don't just rinse, wash the right way!
Master the effective handwashing technique shown in this series and learn how to scrub every hidden germ zone with the proper Antiseptic/Disinfectant for 20-second routinely.
​Step up and be the hero your community needs.

!

15/10/2025

LET'S PROTECT & SAFE OUR FUTURE COLLECTIVELY👨‍👧‍👧

Hear the statements from the stakeholders at the Launch

"The launch of the measles and rubella integrated campaign, is another bold step towards protecting the lives and the future of our children.

This flag off is a declaration of our collective resolve as a nation to say ‘No more’ to the diseases that steal the future of our sons and daughters." - - First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria

13/10/2025

FIND BELOW THESE INFORMATION THE FOLLOWING MEDICATIONS FOR AVOIDANCE & YOUR SAFETY.

12/10/2025

WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY 2025

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Arthritis is a disease that causes damage in your joints. Joints are places in your body where two bones meet.
Some joints naturally wear down as you age. Lots of people develop arthritis after that normal, lifelong wear and tear. Some types of arthritis happen after injuries that damage a joint. Certain health conditions also cause arthritis.

Arthritis is extremely common, especially in people older than 50. It causes joint pain, stiffness and inflammation. Your provider will help you understand which type of arthritis you have, what’s causing it and which treatments you’ll need. You may need a joint replacement if you have severe arthritis that you can’t manage with other treatments.

Arthritis can affect any joint, but is most common in people’s:

Hands and wrists.
Knees.
Hips.
Feet and ankles.
Shoulders.
Lower back (lumbar spine).

Visit a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing joint pain that’s severe enough to affect your daily routine or if it feels like you can’t move or use your joints as well as usual.

TYPES OF ARTHRITIS

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Some of the most common types include;

OSTEOARTHRITIS: Wear and tear arthritis.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: Arthritis that happens when your immune system mistakenly damages your joints.

GOUT: Arthritis that causes sharp uric acid crystals to form in your joints.

ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS: Arthritis that affects joints near your lower back.

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: Arthritis that affects people who have psoriasis.

JUVENILE ARTHRITIS: Arthritis in kids and teens younger than 16.

Depending on which type of arthritis you have, it can break down the natural tissue in your joint (degeneration) or cause inflammation (swelling). Some types cause inflammation that leads to degeneration.

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

What is arthritis treatment?
There’s no cure for arthritis, but your healthcare provider will help you find treatments that manage your symptoms. Which treatments you’ll need depend on what’s causing the arthritis, which type you have and which joints it affects.

The most common arthritis treatments include:

🩺NSAIDs: Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medicine like Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac depending on your tolerance.

🩺CORTICOSTEROIDS (prescription anti-inflammatory medicine, including cortisone shots).

🩺DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS (DMARDs) if you have rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.

🩺Physical therapy or occupational therapy can help you improve your strength, range of motion and confidence while you’re moving.

🩺Surgery (usually only if nonsurgical treatments don’t relieve your symptoms).
Arthritis surgery
You may need surgery if you have severe arthritis and other treatments don’t work. The two most common types of arthritis surgery are joint fusion and joint replacement.

Joint fusion is exactly what it sounds like: surgically joining bones together. It’s most common for bones in your spine (spinal fusion) or your ankle (ankle fusion).

If your joints are damaged or you’ve experienced bone loss, you might need an arthroplasty (joint replacement). Your surgeon will remove your damaged natural joint and replace it with a prosthesis (artificial joint). You might need a partial or total joint replacement.

Your provider or surgeon will tell you which type of surgery you’ll need and what to expect.

PROGNOSIS

What can I expect if I have arthritis?
You should expect to manage arthritis symptoms for a long time (probably the rest of your life). Your provider will help you find treatments that reduce how much (and how often) arthritis impacts your daily routine.

Some people with arthritis experience more severe symptoms as they age. Ask your provider how often you should have follow-up visits to check for changes in your joints.

PREVENTION

How do I prevent arthritis?
Some forms of arthritis happen naturally or because of health conditions you can’t change, so are inevitable. However, you can lower your chances of developing arthritis by:

✅Avoiding to***co products.

✅Following a diet and exercise plan that’s healthy for you.

✅Doing low-impact exercise.

✅Always wearing proper protective equipment for any activity that could damage your joints.

03/10/2025

October is .🩷

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to get checked by a healthcare professional immediately 👇🏿