What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation occurs when your melanocytes, pigment-producing cells, produce excess melanin resulting in sunspots, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Various factors can trigger this reaction, including the sun, artificial light, heat, hormones, injury and acne.

Prevent Hyperpigmentation

SPF SPF SPF! The importance of sun protection cannot be understated. Not only does it help to prevent collagen loss, but it’s also the easiest way to prevent hyperpigmentation. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and antioxidants, which boost the effects of sunscreens.

Though they boost sun protection, darker skin types need to take extra precautions to prevent discolorations. Those with darker skin should avoid mechanical exfoliants, irritating skin ingredients, Intense Pulsed Light Treatments (IPL) and ablative lasers- all of which can cause light and dark spots.

The Best Ingredients to Treat Unwanted Pigment

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is the gold standard for pigment-fighting ingredients. You can purchase over-the-counter hydroquinone in a lower percentage, 2% or less, or a higher dose prescription form. When used consistently, it fades spots in about 3-6 months. It can work even faster when paired with a retinoid.

However, this pigment inhibitor should only be used for the short term due to certain potential risks if used long term.

Retinoids

Over-the-counter or prescription retinoids are an essential weapon in the fight against pigment. Retinoids reduce tyrosinase activity in melanocytes, helping to address hyperpigmentation and protect collagen from degenerating.

Tranexamic Acid

Topical tranexamic acid is effective at treating all types of hyperpigmentation, including PIH and melasma. Its effects are not fully understood. The thought is that it inhibits tyrosinase activity and potentially the cell communication between melanocytes and keratinocytes.

4-n-butylresorcinol

4-n-butylresorcinol is an excellent tyrosinase inhibitor and a potential alternative to hydroquinone. It is an effective depigmenting agent while producing less irritation than hydroquinone.

Topical Glutathione

Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in human cells that neutralizes free radicals. It can also cause skin lightening by converting melanin to a lighter colour and deactivating the enzyme tyrosinase, which helps produce pigment.

Acids

Face acids like alpha hydroxy acids, kojic acid, salicylic acid work by exfoliating the skin. Whenever you shed your top layer of skin, new skin cells emerge to take the place of the old one. This process helps even out your skin tone and makes it smoother overall. They work well for mild hyperpigmentation on fairer skin tones.

The Best In-Clinic Treatments for Pigmentation

Skin tone plays a role in choosing suitable skin therapies to treat hyperpigmentation best. Darker skin tones should avoid high beam lasers and IPL Therapy. They would benefit more from lower-strength chemical peels and lightening skincare.

Chemical Peels

A chemical peel uses acids at stronger concentrations to treat the desired area of skin. They reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation by removing the epidermis. Deeper versions may also penetrate the middle layer of your skin (dermis) to produce more dramatic results.

Laser peel (skin resurfacing)

There are two types of lasers: ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers are the most intense, and they involve removing layers of your skin. Non-ablative procedures, on the other hand, target the dermis. Ablative lasers work better for those with lighter skin.

The use of lasers should be used in great caution with melasma due to the possible worsening or darkening of the existing pigment.

Intense Pulse Light (IPL)

IPL Therapy is a type of non-ablative laser treatment, also known as a photo facial. IPL treats overall pigmentation issues, but flat spots especially respond to this treatment. It may also help reduce the appearance of lines, spider veins and enlarged pores.

Microneedling

Microneedling can help lighten dark spots by encouraging your skin’s wound healing response; after this, new healthy skin that matches your normal skin tone can form. It would be best if you used topical treatments between treatments. It is a good choice for melasma; combined with stem cell products, it is especially effective.

The Final Say

Successfully treating hyperpigmentation requires a commitment to both at-home products and in-office treatments. Prevention is vital- protecting yourself against the triggers that cause discoloration in the first place is the easiest and least costly way to keep your complexion clear and even-toned.

Disclaimer: This post is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this blog is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or skin related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this website should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare/skin professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this website are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. It is important that you check labels to determine if a product is right for you. Before starting any treatment at home consult a health care or skin care professional to determine if it’s right for you.