Does hyperpigmentation fully go away?

Author: Miss Leatha Bergnaum I  |  Last update: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Depending upon the cause of your hyperpigmentation, it may eventually go away on its own, but melasma—the type that's caused by hormones—is the most stubborn. “Melasma is most common in medium skin tones and it's very difficult to treat.

Can hyperpigmentation go away completely?

Hyperpigmentation can go away on its own, dependent on the cause, but it may take a long time to fade. Some cases of hyperpigmentation may never go away completely.

How long will it take for hyperpigmentation to fade?

Mild hyperpigmentation can begin to fade within 3-6 months with consistent treatment. More aggressive treatments, such as chemical peels, may show results sooner but often require multiple sessions. Severe cases of hyperpigmentation, such as deep melasma, can take a year or more to resolve.

Can hyperpigmentation become permanent?

Epidermal hypermelanosis will appear tan, brown, or dark brown and may take months to years to resolve without treatment. 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.

Can pigmentation go permanently?

Contrary to what many people think, freckles, melasma and dark spots don't usually resolve by themselves. In fact, in about 90% of the cases, treatment is necessary to remove pigmentations from the face permanently.

Best Remedy for Hyperpigmentation

Why is my hyperpigmentation not fading?

Reason #1: You're Getting Too Much Sun

“Hyperpigmentation can be incredibly frustrating and tough to treat. One of the easiest things you can do at home to help with hyperpigmentation is to be vigilant with sun protection,” says Dr. Camille Howard, a board-certified dermatologist and IT Cosmetics Advisory Board Member.

Is vitamin C good for hyperpigmentation?

Vitamin C can help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, with noticeable results in as little as 3-4 weeks. After two months of use, users may experience significant fading of hyperpigmentation.

What happens if hyperpigmentation is left untreated?

In mild to moderate cases, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is not permanent and the blemishes will fade over time – even if left untreated. In severe cases, it can take months and even years for the discolouration to fade and some traces can remain permanently.

Does hyperpigmentation go away when you lose weight?

Treating the underlying cause of acanthosis nigricans can make the dark patches of skin fade or even disappear. This can mean stopping any medicine that's causing the problem or treating diabetes and other health conditions. Losing weight will help acanthosis nigricans fade.

Will dark spots ever go away?

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.

What fades hyperpigmentation the fastest?

Three types of skincare treatments fade hyperpigmentation marks fast:
  • Physical exfoliants.
  • Chemical exfoliants.
  • Brightening actives such as vitamin C, kojic acid, liquorice extract.

Do hyperpigmentation scars fade?

Scars that have been pigmented will fade on their own: It is possible for some pigmented scars to fade over time, although this is not always the case. Individual differences in the natural healing process of scars can cause some to last longer than others.

How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade completely?

You can take some comfort in knowing that hyperpigmentation can fade away, pretty much completely, over time. It can actually take from 3 to 24 months to hyperpigmentation to fully fade6, though in tough cases it could take even longer. The most important thing you can do for your skin after a treatment, is be gentle.

Is skin pigmentation reversible?

Hyperpigmentation associated with vitamin B12 deficiency is completely reversible with treatment.

Why is hyperpigmentation a meme?

The “Hyperpigmentation” meme originated from a 2019 video shot by a woman named Sonia Tiebi. It features a conversation between Tiebi and her daughter about a rather crude sketch that the latter has drawn of the former.

How do you know if hyperpigmentation is permanent?

Whether or not post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is permanent depends on three things:
  1. How severe the trauma that caused the discolouration was.
  2. The skin colour of the person affected.
  3. How the skin is treated afterwards.

Can hyperpigmentation go permanently?

Depending upon the cause of your hyperpigmentation, it may eventually go away on its own, but melasma—the type that's caused by hormones—is the most stubborn. “Melasma is most common in medium skin tones and it's very difficult to treat.

Does hyperpigmentation look worse before it gets better?

Does Hyperpigmentation Get Darker Before It Fades? Yes, sometimes, the body speeds up pigment production before the cells break down and fade. But sometimes, the dark spots can also fade without getting darker first.

Why did my hyperpigmentation go away?

Hyperpigmentation can improve naturally over time, but its longevity is influenced by factors such as genetic makeup, depth of discolouration, and hormonal influences. Some types may fade on their own, but stubborn conditions like melasma may require intervention.

What are the three types of hyperpigmentation?

The three main types include age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory trauma. Post-inflammatory trauma can result from an injury, sun exposure, or a skin condition, such as acne.

Can skin pigmentation grow back?

If you've had a skin infection, blisters, burns, or other trauma to your skin, you may have a loss of pigmentation in the affected area. The good news with this type of pigment loss is that it's usually not permanent, but it may take a long time to re-pigment.

Does CeraVe clear dark spots?

The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum has multiple benefits that address various skin concerns. A few key benefits you may note when using the retinol serum daily: Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and post-blemish dark spots. Promotes the cell renewal process, helping skin look brighter.

Which vitamin removes pigmentation?

Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps your skin produce more collagen while inhibiting the formation of melanin. Vitamin B12 also promotes collagen formation while supporting the growth of new skin cells.

How long does it take for vitamin C to clear hyperpigmentation?

Brightening and Even Skin Tone (4-8 weeks): With continued use, you may start noticing a more noticeable improvement in your skin's brightness and a reduction in the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration.

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