You've heard the phrase “darkest before the dawn.” It's kind of like that. We like to call it, the “worse before better” paradox of skin care. We'll explain. There are more triggers for pigment production than there are pathways for its elimination, which leads to the accumulation of melanin in the skin.
Hyperpigmentation may seem like a summer thing and a nonissue during the fall and winter months, but this isn't the case. Dry weather, cold temperatures, and decreased humidity can cause dry patches on the skin and worsen skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema, leaving behind persistent dark spots.
If you've been seeing spots this summer, it's not just you. Dark spots, also known as hyperpigmentation, can happen year-round — but they get even worse when you're spending more time outdoors.
Yes. Active treatment accelerates cell turnover, pulling pigmented cells to the surface at a faster rate. This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, which can create a temporary darkening of the spots. The darkening means the pigment is coming up and is ready to be shed away.
A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within 6 to 12 months. If the color lies deep in your skin, however, fading can take years. Discoloration that lies deep in the skin is often slate blue to gray in color.
The condition is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and it's insanely common among all skin tones. The spots typically appear after your skin has experienced some type of inflammation (acne, mosquito bites, or other traumas).
It can take a while, but dark spots tend to become lighter over time, and eventually go away completely. It can take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years for them to vanish from view. That doesn't mean you have to wait forever in hopes that your dark spots will fade.
It can take up to 12-18 months after your injury or operation for a scar to heal. A normal scar will become darker initially and after a period of time this will start to fade. Dark scars can remain for years or indefinitely in people with darker skin.
If you want to get rid of dark spots fast, a procedure that removes layers of discolored skin may work better than a lightening cream. These techniques include laser treatments, freezing (cryotherapy), dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, microneedling, and chemical peels.
Apply fresh aloe vera gel on the dark spots before bedtime. Rinse the face in the morning with warm water. Licorice extract: Glabridin in licorice inhibits the activity of melanocytes, therefore helping in skin lightening. Creams containing licorice are available as over-the-counter (OTC) topical products.
Drink enough water
The benefits of staying hydrated are too many. Pooja suggests drinking at least 2-3 litres of water daily to fight pigmentation effectively. Drinking enough water will also help you ensure better skin health and keep dehydration at bay.
Stage 4: Maturation (strengthening) Even after your wound looks closed and repaired, it's still healing. It might look pink and stretched or puckered. You may feel itching or tightness over the area.
But here is what a mature surgical scar should look like from a cosmetic point of view: a parallel disposition to the folds and lines of tension of a relaxed skin. an unnoticeable fine line. an elevation similar to the surrounding skin.
Epidermal PIH can last for 6 to 12 months or more. Dermal PIH can take years to fade, and spots may be permanent. There is also a chance new spots can show up, or that your PIH will come back again after fading. Treatment for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation often involves more than one method.
Retinol: This can unclog pores and fade dark spots. You'll find benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinol in acne products that you can buy without a prescription. Retinol is a type of retinoid. Another retinoid that may be helpful is adapalene gel 0.1%.
Might Lighten Dark Spots
Vitamin C-based skin care products may lighten patches that are darker than the rest of your skin, called hyperpigmentation. In one study, vitamin C applied to the skin for 16 weeks significantly cut down on these spots.
Vitamin E is widely used to treat scarring, which can help lighten dark spots.
Age spots are caused by overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations.
The best essential oils for hyperpigmentation are lemon and carrot seed oil, both of which have clear scientific evidence pointing to their efficacy. Other oils that may lighten dark spots include geranium, sandalwood and tea tree oil.
"Among the most common are bleaching or fading creams, with ingredients such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid and retinoids. Additionally, light therapies such as IPL, or intense pulse light therapy, can accelerate the reversal of hyperpigmentation."
People using treatments for hyperpigmentation acne should be aware that fading can take time. Some spots may fade without treatment, but this can take 6–12 months.