Hyperpigmentation is defined as a condition where certain areas of the skin are a darker pigment than the skin in the surrounding area. This can create patches of dark spots on any part of the body, including your face.
Some common examples of hyperpigmentation are age spots. However, it can impact people of all races, genders, and ages.
While the condition itself is usually harmless and not indicative of any malignant issues, some people are insecure about the dark patches. It can create insecurity and self-consciousness, especially if the spots are on visible areas like the arms and face.
The good news is there are ways to treat and get rid of hyperpigmentation. Keep reading to learn 6 ways you can treat hyperpigmentation and get rid of any unsightly patches or blemishes.
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
First, let’s look at what causes hyperpigmentation. There’s no one cause of this condition.
Some common causes include age, pregnancy, and sun damage. While you can’t do much about age or pregnancy, a good way to avoid hyperpigmentation is to avoid sun damage.
Be sure to wear sunscreen whenever you’re going to be exposed to sunlight, and avoid spending long unprotected hours in the sun. This can stop hyperpigmentation in its tracks before it creates the blemishes you want to get rid of!
1. Skin Lightening Cream
Hyperpigmentation results in dark spots in areas of light skin. Skin lightening cream can help lighten up those dark patches to better match the surrounding skin tone.
Make sure to use creams that contain natural and safe ingredients. Some skin lightening creams rely on harsh chemicals similar to bleach in order to lighten skin. This can seriously damage your skin.
Look for skin lightening creams that contain natural skin lighteners like bearberry, licorice extracts, and Kojic acid. These creams can also potentially dry you out, which can worsen the look of your skin. Make sure they also contain moisturizing ingredients to lock in moisture.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been a hot topic superfood: it’s been shown to help lower cholesterol, boost weight loss, kill harmful germs, and help fight diabetes. It can also help to lighten skin while simultaneously returning your skin to its natural pigment.
The natural acidity helps to strip away dead and damaged skin cells so new and fresh ones can regenerate on the surface of your skin.
However, it’s too strong to apply to the skin directly. Instead, mix the apple cider vinegar with equal parts fresh water. Apply to your problem areas and leave for around three minutes before rinsing it off.
3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant. This means it can protect your skin from dangerous free radicals that are caused by sun exposure, age, and pollution. Free radicals can lead to hyperpigmentation and skin damage. Fortifying your skin with extra vitamin C can protect it from these factors.
Vitamin C can also inhibit the enzyme that’s responsible for creating melanin, which is the compound that darkens your skin. By decreasing melanin production, you’ll decrease the amount of visible hyperpigmentation on your skin.
Incorporate more vitamin C into your diet by eating citrus fruits or taking a vitamin supplement. You can also get Vitamin C serum and cream fortified with vitamin C to apply directly to your areas of hyperpigmentation.
4. Retinol Serums
Retinol is made from vitamin A, which is another powerful antioxidant. Vitamin A and retinol are also imperative for maintaining skin, hair, and nail health. Similar to both vitamin C and apple cider vinegar, retinol uses both antioxidant and acidic properties to lighten skin and promote cell regeneration.
This can get rid of dead or damaged cells while promoting fresh new skin cells to replicate in a lighter pigment. It lightens pre-existing areas of hyperpigmentation while keeping other areas of skin fresh and healthy.
Try either a retinol specific serum or a serum that combines the power of retinol with vitamin C and other hyperpigmentation fighters.
5. Licorice Root
Licorice root combats hyperpigmentation in a similar way as vitamin C does. It disrupts enzymes that are responsible for the production of melanin. Serums or supplements that contain licorice root can reduce the amount of melanin produced, which will reduce the overall pigmentation of dark spots or blemishes.
6. Moisturize
We mentioned in the skin lightening cream section that it’s important to get creams that moisturize while they fight hyperpigmentation. This is true for all of these tips, especially since serums with acidic components like the ones we’ve discussed can dry out your skin.
Dry skin is not only irritating and not aesthetically pleasing, but it can also make your hyperpigmentation worse. Dryness can also make the ingredients you’re using to brighten your skin not as effective at getting rid of hyperpigmentation.
Be sure to combine these treatments with a safe and natural moisturizer, or get products that have moisturizing ingredients.
Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation for Good
Follow these 6 tips to get rid of hyperpigmentation for good. Everyone’s skin is different, so try all of the methods and combinations of these methods in order to see what works best for you.
Also, don’t forget about prevention. We talked about wearing sunscreen and avoiding long hours in the sun; please take that seriously. Not only can these tips prevent flare-ups of hyperpigmentation, but it can also help you avoid serious conditions like skin cancer.
Aging is another factor that leads to hyperpigmentation. Want some anti-aging tips? Read this article to learn some of the best anti-aging ingredients you should look for in your skincare products.