In dark skin tones, the greater concentration of melanin in the skin means hyperpigmentation is more common and takes longer to fade. Pigment production begins in the deeper layers of the skin and naturally rises to the surface where it concentrates until it is removed via the shedding of dead skin cells.
Even though it isn't technically an exfoliant, retinol/ vitamin A is also great for pigmentation because it increases cell turnover. Pigmentation will come to the surface (where it can be sloughed off by exfoliants) more quickly. I prefer enzymatic/ chemical based exfoliants.
Hyperpigmentation occurs when the pigment producing cells of the skin, called melanocytes, begin to produce too much pigment. This leads to the development of light to dark brown to grey spots or patches on the skin surface. Hyperpigmentation can appear anywhere on the skin.
A dark spot is superficial if it's less than three to four months old, and deep if older than that, existing on the second layer of the skin (the dermis). “For deeper, older marks, prescription creams or clinical treatments may be a better choice,” says Dr.
Hyperpigmentation is a common condition that makes some areas of the skin darker than others. “Hyper” means more, and “pigment” means color. Hyperpigmentation can appear as brown, black, gray, red or pink spots or patches. The spots are sometimes called age spots, sun spots or liver spots.
Hyperpigmentation within the dermis has a blue-gray appearance and may either be permanent or resolve over a protracted period of time if left untreated.
Hyperpigmentation is caused by an increase in melanin. Melanin is the natural pigment that gives our skin, hair and eyes their color. A number of factors can trigger an increase in melanin production, but the main ones are sun exposure, hormonal influences, age and skin injuries or inflammation.
Hyperpigmentation acne may fade over time, but if the original spots were deep, it may be permanent. Although some topical and surgical therapies can speed up the fading process, it can take several months to years.
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.
Some cases of hyperpigmentation may never go away completely. If hyperpigmentation is caused by injury, then as the skin heals the discoloration will lessen as melanin is absorbed into the tissue surrounding the injury.
This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, creating a temporary darkening of the spots. So, the darkening is what you want to see. It means the pigment is coming up and is ready to be shed away. You might be tempted at this point to over-exfoliate in an attempt to speed up the process even more.
It helps fade hyperpigmentation
Vitamin C inhibits melanin synthesis by downregulating the activity of an enzyme known as tyrosinase. It's widely used in dermatology for depigmentation of hyperpigmented spots on the skin.
"Darker skin is more likely to develop patchy pigmentation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) if it is irritated or damaged – that's exactly what excessive exfoliation is." That's not all: exfoliating too much can also disrupt your skin's natural equilibrium, causing it to overproduce sebum (or underproduce it).
Exfoliation is beneficial for breaking up the pigmented cells to allow them to fade. Combined with a skin-lightening agent like vitamin C, exfoliation will help accelerate the fading process. Look for facial scrubs that use gentle round beads and mild-exfoliating acids, such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid.
You're exfoliating too harshly.
“Patients sometimes try to aggressively exfoliate dark spots to fade them, but that can often make the problem worse,” says Dr. Choudhury. “Too much scrubbing can darken the hyperpigmentation.”
Often, weight loss, exercise and a nutritious diet help reduce insulin levels, resulting in improved skin. The patches may even disappear completely.
Epidermal pigmentation is mostly brown and fades out in several months. Dermal pigmentation has a grey-brown colour and is generally permanent for years.
The most common types of hyperpigmentation are as follows: melasma, age spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If you think you are suffering from one of these types of hyperpigmentation then I have put together this article with you in mind.
How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade? Once what's causing the dark spots or patches is found and stopped, fading can take time. 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.
Aloe vera contains aloin, a natural depigmenting compound that has been shown to lighten skin and work effectively as a nontoxic hyperpigmentation treatment, according to a 2012 study. To use: Apply pure aloe vera gel to pigmented areas before bedtime. Rinse using warm water the next morning.
In this case, turning to dermatological procedures will work as the fastest way to get rid of hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, or dermabrasion are all options that work similarly to rid skin of hyperpigmentation.
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.
Darker areas of skin (or an area that tans more easily) occurs when you have more melanin or overactive melanocytes. Bronzing of the skin may sometimes be mistaken for a suntan. This skin discoloration often develops slowly, starting at the elbows, knuckles, and knees and spreading from there.