If you’ve ever been out in the sun for long periods of time or suffered from bad acne breakouts, the chances are that you’ve also developed hyperpigmentation. Identified by dark, often regular in shape spots on the surface of the skin, hyperpigmentation is the overproduction of melanin after sustaining some form of trauma. As such, there is a multitude of different types of hyperpigmentation as well as a series of damaging factors that could cause it. Due to the variables involved in both sustaining and developing these dark spots, individuals often struggle to find safe and effective ways to treat them. This can result in a duller-looking complexion, an uneven skin tone, and, ultimately, lowered self-esteem. So, if you’ve had it with your dark spots and need a way to help get rid of them, take a minute to learn about how to best treat hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation Treatment Options

The most important thing to remember when treating your hyperpigmentation is that each person’s skin is different and, as such, certain treatments will work better than others. So, while your friend might recommend a product that worked well for them, there’s no guarantee that it’ll do the same for your specific skin. Because of this, doing some research on all your available options is key to making informed decisions about the health of your skin. These are a few of the potential choices to keep in mind.

Lightening Creams and Supplements

Lightening creams are everyone’s first step in trying to reduce the appearance of their dark spots. Made with select ingredients to target and reverse the overproduction of melanin in the skin, they can range in potency to help protect sensitive complexions. Most of these products can be acquired over the counter in any of your local stores. However, if you find that you need something a bit stronger, you’ll need to talk to your doctor and get a prescription. When using these supplements once or twice a day during your normal skincare routine, many individuals start to notice dark spot fading within the span of several weeks.

Skin Acids

Skin acids are slightly stronger products that exfoliate the surface of your skin, removing the top layer and promoting the development of new, unpigmented cells. This helps by removing dulled cells that contain higher amounts of melanin and allowing your skin to replace them with new, undamaged cells more efficiently. After some time, the process can slowly begin evening out your skin tone and causing the dark spots to lighten and fade. Since skin acids exfoliate, they’re also commonly used to unclog pores and reduce the frequency of acne breakouts.

Cosmetic Procedures

But if you still find yourself struggling to rid yourself of your persistent dark blemishes, you may need to consider reaching out for professional assistance. Certain cosmetic procedures have been shown to lighten areas of the skin that are exposed to the focused therapy. Laser and intense pulsed light therapies are two examples of when this occurs. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion can also have this effect by stripping your skin of problem cells. However, while these treatments can yield shocking results, it’s important to mention that they also tend to be very harsh on healthy skin. This means that you should only consider them as a last resort and only do so after consulting with a dermatologist.

Important Ingredients to Consider

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the unfamiliar medical jargon as you scan the products in the skincare aisle. With so many brands, items, and ingredients to choose from, it can be impossible to pinpoint which ones have the best chance of getting rid of your hyperpigmentation. This is why it’s also crucial to know which product ingredients are best for this purpose when learning how to treat hyperpigmentation. These are some of the most effective substances for the job.

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is the strongest substance available in over-the-counter hyperpigmentation treatment. It directly targets the melanin-saturated cells in your skin and completely pauses the production process, bringing them back to your natural skin color. It’s found in a multitude of products that deal with healing past scars, whether it be acne treatments, sun damage correction, or general hyperpigmentation.

Glutathione

Glutathione is a substance naturally found in the human body that helps us break down and absorb the nutrients we get from food. This directly benefits the skin by supplying it with its own share of vitamins and minerals. However, as we age, our bodies begin to produce this material more slowly, and it becomes increasingly more difficult for our skin to get the nutrients it needs. In using products with glutathione, the skin becomes healthier overall, making it better at responding to trauma and healing wounds without leaving scars. A secondary effect of this ingredient is that it slows down melanin production as it is absorbed into the skin. This can help even out the tone of formerly damaged skin.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the least processed materials that can be found in skincare products, something that’s very appealing for those with sensitive skin. Aloe vera is most commonly used as an anti-inflammatory agent due to its soothing properties, but it is also used in a series of other products to help skin retain moisture. It’s believed that aloe vera may also help treat hyperpigmentation because of a compound known as aloesin. In one study, this material, found in raw aloe, is shown to be effective at reducing signs of melasma during pregnancy if taken in its supplement form.

Additional Tips for Treating Hyperpigmentation

No matter which treatments or products you think will work best for you, it’s vital that you speak to a doctor before making any changes to your skin routine. Otherwise, you could risk putting yourself through more discomfort than necessary and causing further skin damage that’s more difficult to treat. Your dermatologist will also be able to accurately track your progress and adjust your product usage to suit your skin type.

Make sure that you’re also taking the proper steps to maintain your skin moisture during the treatment process. Weakened, dry skin is more likely to be damaged rather than corrected by these treatment options. As such, helping it keep its durability and strength is key to skincare success. Likewise, you shouldn’t expose your skin to any damaging conditions during this time. Factors like excessive sunlight, touching your face, and picking at blemishes can all cause additional damage that can lead to more scars and hyperpigmentation.

At Flawless Beauty & Skin, we sell versatile skin whitening and brightening products to assist with various stages of hyperpigmentation. Our stock of skin whitening pills, soaps, and serums offers diverse treatment options that can fit into any busy lifestyle and skincare regimen. We also provide treatment products for other skin conditions such as premature aging and acne.