How to Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation are dark spots that appear on your skin as a result of excess melanin production. Melanin is the pigment that gives our skin its color. There are a few types of hyperpigmentation which include: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, age spots and melasma.

Sun exposure can cause melasma (as well as changes in hormone levels) and sun spots on areas that are exposed to the sun, whereas post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is caused by burns or acne. The later can also become worse from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays.

How can you treat Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is usually harmless, but many people wish to get rid of it for cosmetic reasons. There are treatments available and other things that you can try to treat and prevent hyperpigmentation.

And the most important factor for prevention is SUNSCREEN!

Avoid sun exposure and use a sunscreen, at least spf 30 with broad spectrum coverage daily. Reapply every 2 hours if you have to stay out in the sun and possibly avoid the sun during the time of the day when it's too hot outside.

If you're not using sun protection, every other treatment that you apply topically will not have the desired effects and probably you won't be noticing any visible difference on your skin.

Topical Treatments

Hydroquinone is a prescription a skin lightening treatment and it is considered the gold standard treatment for hyperpigmentation, but there's been some back-and-forth on its safety for decades. It is banned from use in cosmetic skin lightening products in Europe, Australia and Japan.

Here are some other effective treatments:

• Retinoids, such as Tretinoin - Penetrates deep into the skin, reduces epidermal melanin and speeds up cell turnover. One should be careful introducing this ingredient into their routine, especially if you have sensitive skin. Should be used only at nighttime.
  
  
• Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) - Antioxidant. Plays a big role in combating dark spots. It's more effective at neutralizing free radical damage when combined with sunscreen.
  
  
• Niacinamide - is a form of Vitamin B3. Has been clinically proven to decrease hyperpigmentation at concentrations as low as 2% after four weeks of treatment.
  
  
• Alpha Arbutin - The purest and most effective form of arbutin. Arbutin is a naturally occurring derivative of hydroquinone that has no damaging side effects. Works by inhibiting an enzyme found in melanocytes (increase melanin production) known as tyrosinase. Works on all skin types.
  
  
• Azelaic Acid - Widely used to treat both hyperpigmentation and acne. Inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase, which is needed for the production of melanin. It's well tolerated for hyperpigmentation in darker-skinned people.
  
  
• Licorice Root Extract - It's becoming a popular skincare ingredient in kbeauty. It has many skin benefits and contains a skin lightening compound that can slow down the production of darker pigments.

Cosmetic procedures

If you feel like topical application of serums or creams is not working for you or you want faster results there are other alternatives:

• Laser Treatments - use high-energy light beam and work by breaking up and eliminating the pigment in the skin. The downside is that not all lasers on the market are suitable for darker skin tones.
  
  
• Chemical Peels - stronger concentrations of acids which penetrate deeper into the skin to produce quicker results.

If you're unsure of where to start and what to use exactly for your hyperpigmentation talk to your dermatologist so you can make a treatment plan.
But remember! Protecting your skin from UV rays by wearing sunscreen daily is key.


What methods have you tried to treat hyperpigmentation? What has worked for your skin? Please share in the comments!