Discover the secrets to defeating hyperpigmentation. Uncover the causes and solutions in this comprehensive guide. We all want our skin always to look like it does with that perfect ...
4 min read
Share
Discover the secrets to defeating hyperpigmentation. Uncover the causes and solutions in this comprehensive guide.
We all want our skin always to look like it does with that perfect Instagram filter on – flawless and glowing. Our skin may not be perfect and have minor imperfections like acne scars or sunspots. They are nothing but signs of hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation is a prevalent dermatological issue where you may experience patches of darker colour on your face or other body parts. Hyperpigmentation isn’t necessarily harmful and can occur due to various factors.
If you have been worried about the signs of hyperpigmentation and how to treat it, we have put together all the information to answer all your questions:
Our skin contains pigments or pigment cells called melanocytes. These melanocytes are present in the epidermis, or the outermost layer of the skin. When your body overproduces these pigment cells or melanocytes, hyperpigmentation manifests as dark patches and dark spots on your skin.
Hyperpigmentation is a prevalent condition and can affect all skin types differently. If you have a darker skin tone, the hyperpigmentation patches on your skin are more likely to occur with a higher concentration of pigmentation, whereas, for lighter skin tones, the spots might not be as pigmented.
Various factors, like damage to your skin from exposure to the sun or an imbalance of hormones, can trigger hyperpigmentation. Let us understand some of the common reasons why your skin may be experiencing hyperpigmentation:
The most common cause of dark spots on your face and neck is exposure to the UV rays from the sun. When your skin is exposed to UV rays without sun protection (like sunscreen), the skin cell starts overproducing melanin, the pigment found in our skin, resulting in clusters of dark spots known as sunspots.
Melasma, a type of hyperpigmentation, is caused by hormonal imbalance. Our body goes into an overdrive of melanin production when our hormones are not balanced, and as a result, you will see brownish or greyish patches of pigments on your face. This is common in pregnant women.
The side effects of some medications, like antibiotics, anti-convulsants and chemotherapy drugs, can trigger the overproduction of melanin, resulting in hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation often occurs due to inflammatory conditions like acne and eczema and is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. In response to the inflammation, our skin produces too much melanin. This is also the reason why women who struggle with acne often also work with hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation doesn’t pose any health risk and can be left as is. However, if your spots are affecting your self-confidence and you want to know how to take of them, let’s discuss the different ways to tackle hyperpigmentation.
A variety of skincare is designed with specific active ingredients that help manage your hyperpigmentation.
Here are some of the popular ingredients to look out for that can help with your hyperpigmentation:
A powerful antioxidant and a brightening agent, Vitamin C is a popular skincare active ingredient that helps reduce hyperpigmentation by limiting melanin production in our skin. It won’t affect your natural complexion and also protects against UV damage.
Loaded with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, Azelaic Acid helps reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting excess melanin production. It can be especially effective for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation like acne scars and other inflammatory skin conditions. You can get azelaic acid in the form of a tablet or cream.
Retinoid, a type of compound derived from Vitamin A, helps with the exfoliation of the skin and promotes skin regeneration by increasing cell turnover. Effective in improving your skin texture and reducing hyperpigmentation, Retinoids can be a powerful active in your skincare arsenal and need to be used with proper guidance.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) work like Retinoids by exfoliating your skin and increasing cell turnover and, as a result, helping reduce hyperpigmentation. AHAs can work effectively on sunspots and melasma.
A form of Vitamin B3, Niacinamide, is found in many skincare products and has brightening and anti-inflammatory properties. It effectively reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation by blocking melanin production from appearing on the skin’s surface.
It is essential to consult a professional to understand the cause of your hyperpigmentation before administering any topical products. Topical products can take three to six months to show results, making it essential to stay consistent with skincare routines.
Yes, there are different types of professionally administered cosmetic procedures, including laser therapy to treat hyperpigmentation:
Commonly known as skin resurfacing, laser peel uses a targeted laser beam to remove the outer layers of skin affected by hyperpigmentation carefully. Once the outer skin cells are removed, you are left with a pink patch of skin where new skin grows back. This is an intense type of treatment, and it can take up to three weeks for your skin to fully recover after the treatment.
Intense Pulse Light
In this treatment, pulses of light energy are used to remove signs of hyperpigmentation by heating and destroying the extra melanin in your skin. You may need multiple sessions to see the full effect of IPL treatment, and it is almost pain-free.
These treatments need to be carried out by certified professionals with experience.
Hyperpigmentation is a condition that no one is immune to and nothing to feel conscious about. How badly it affects you depends on your genetics and how much care you take of your skin. Certain types of hyperpigmentation are preventable with suitable precautions. To avoid sunspots, using sunscreen regularly and wearing protective clothing is helpful. If you are prone to acne, avoid picking on it, as it will aggravate the inflammation and cause more dark spots.
While hyperpigmentation is not 100 per cent preventable, taking precautions can go a long way in preventing it to the maximum extent possible.
In some cases, hyperpigmentation may not go away completely, depending upon the severity and age. Still, you can treat and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation with the help of the proper treatment. Treatments are efficient when you understand the root cause.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to hyperpigmentation. You can best treat it by consulting a professional to understand the cause and find the best solution for you.
Subscribe to our newsletter
