If you're concerned by dark patches on your skin caused by hyperpigmentation, one thing is certain: there are more options than ever before for eliminating that innocuous but annoying discoloration. What is hyperpigmentation, exactly? It's any area of skin that appears darker than your natural skin tone because to the brown pigment melanin overproduction.
The Best Ways to Treat and Prevent Future Hyperpigmentation
There are many dark-spot correctors available today, but it's just as important to deal with them early on. The scientifically validated keys are as follows:
1. Keep Skin Moist to Boost Cell Turnover
While the primary goal of hyperpigmentation treatment is to reduce the appearance of dark spots, a good over-the-counter medication should also include ingredients that help the skin in other ways. Moisturizing components like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, as well as retinol to accelerate cell turnover, will be found in an excellent product. These inactive compounds assist the active brighteners in performing more successfully by allowing them to work more efficiently. A good moisturiser can also help to repair the skin's lipid (fat) barrier, which helps to protect it from the sun's harmful rays even more.
2. Keep Bug Bites, Blackheads, and Other Injuries at Bay
Even though it's tempting to itch a mosquito bite or crush a stubborn blackhead, remember your mother's warning: "Don't pick!" and pay attention. Scratching and picking at a place will only exacerbate the inflammatory process that causes skin darkening. The more you muck with it now, the worse it will appear later. The sooner you treat hyperpigmentation, however, the easier it will be to remove it. Brown spots' pigment might penetrate deeper into the skin with time.
3. Consider an Rx for Stubborn Skin Discoloration
If over-the-counter remedies aren't working, it's time to seek professional help. Because it suppresses the formation of pigment, dermatologists regard prescription-strength hydroquinone, alone or in combination with other lighteners, to be the gold standard for fading dark spots. Hydroquinone treatment, however, should be closely monitored by your dermatologist because high concentrations can cause sun sensitivity and bleach the skin, she adds.
4. Ask a Dermatologist About High-Tech Options
If topical treatments aren't working, talk to your dermatologist about more aggressive treatments, such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or dermabrasion, or a laser or light-based procedure, according to the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine. (There is one caveat: if you have melasma, lasers and chemical peels may exacerbate your hyperpigmentation.)
5. Take Steps to Prevent or Minimize Future Damage
Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy or cool days, is the most effective way to prevent sun-induced discoloration. UV rays simply cause the pigment to go into overdrive, darkening dark spots. You must apply sunscreen to exposed regions on a daily basis.
Note that SPF only refers to UVB short-wave ray protection. Irritation can increase hyperpigmentation, especially melasma, so stick to moderate skin-care products that don't sting or burn. You should also use acne medicine to treat pimples and bug spray to avoid bites to protect yourself against other typical skin-darkening factors.