Treatment Options for Hyperpigmentation

You might be wondering why you have uneven skin tone and darker patches on your face. The cause of this is mostly likely due to hyperpigmentation, the medical term used to describe the result of excess melanin production. Hyperpigmentation can also develop from scarring and hormonal changes (for example, during pregnancy). If hyperpigmentation is causing you concern - you definitely aren't alone. Thankfully, there are also some fantastic treatment options available to help diminish its appearance.

Keep reading to learn more about hyperpigmentation and you can treat it.

Face Acids

Don't freak out at the description! You've most likely already used face acids, or chemical exfoliants, in the past in the form of salicylic, alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acid for removing dead skin cells, brightening, and acne. By exfoliating your skin you're ridding your body of the old skin cells on the top layer and replacing them with your fresh new ones. Through doing this, you're evening out and smoothing your skin tone. This option is particularly effective for lighter skin tones and for mild hyperpigmentation.

Vitamin C

A superstar skincare ingredient, Vitamin C is popular for a reason! You can use it to treat uneven skin tone/hyperpigmentation, fine lines, scarring and dullness. Vitamin C is a superior brightening agent that works to fade brown spots without altering normal skin pigmentation.

Because Vitamin C is highly acidic, when applied topically the skin is triggered to heal itself by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin (the good stuff!). Collagen and elastin are both naturally occurring protein fibers responsible for keeping skin plump and firm. It also contains a property which actually inhibits your skin's melanin production - which is what causes dark spots and hyperpigmentation! With continued topical use, vitamin C can even help prevent dark spots from forming in the first place.

Chemical Peels

Commonly used to treat hyperpigmentation, melasma, blotchy skin, acne and general dullness, a chemical peel uses acids at stronger concentrations to treat the desired area of skin. Essentially, 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. You will most likely need to have multiple chemical peels to achieve your desired results.

You can book in for a chemical peel at most beauty salons and skincare clinics who will be able to prescribe the best option for you.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion removes the epidermis to treat superficial scarring and hyperpigmentation. You can book into a clinic for microdermabrasion. Similarly with chemical peels, you will need to have multiple treatments to achieve your desired result.

Light Therapy

Regular use of light therapy can be used to treat a range of skincare concerns, including hyperpigmentation. An LED Mask can firm skin, dark spots, sun damage and redness, and increase the production of elastin and collagen for healing.

As with microdermabrasion and peels, you will need multiple light therapy treatments in a clinic before you see results. This is where using a mask from home comes in handy. You can use the mask nightly before bed and save the time and money involved with booking into a clinic.

For best results, use the green light. This is the light with the biggest anti-aging effects, wound healing, and targets hyperpigmentation and brown spots.

Microneedling

By treating acne scarring with microneedling, you can improve its appearance. As with light therapy, microneedling stimulates the production of collagen and elastin which in turn repairs the skin.

Only licensed aestheticians or medispa professionals can perform microneedling treatments. You can learn more about microneedling here.

Nano-Needling

Using nano-needling cartridges, which can be performed at home, you can dramatically enhance product absorption (up to 97% more!), gain instant radiant skin glow, visibly improve skin hydration, boost collagen production, achieve overall skin rejuvenation, and receive flawless treatment of surface-level concerns with zero downtime. Additionally, nano-needling treatments are pain-free (no numbing cream needed), suitable for all skin types, and safe with your favorite active skincare ingredients.

This means if you're using a serum containing vitamin C for your pigmentation, you will see greater benefits of this product from the increased product absorption of antioxidant ingredients. Learn more about nano-needling here.

The best way to avoid hyperpigmentation is through prevention, this means wearing sunscreen daily and avoiding prolonged periods of sun exposure during the peak times of the day. A good way to stay on top of the times of extreme UV levels is to download the SunSmart app.

That's all from us! You may like to combine or test a couple of these treatments together for optimal results. As with any skin concern, it's always recommended to seek medical advice from a professional prior to purchase.

If you enjoyed this article, you might be interested in reading some of our previous posts. In our last blog, we talked about the signs of sun damage. Click here to learn more about it.