It's important to remember that it is a sign of progress and there's nothing to worry about unless you are seeking treatment. The temporary darkening of the hyperpigmentation spots or patches can be discouraging or embarrassing, but remember it is actually a sign that the treatment is working.
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.
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.
Retinol starts to work in your cells right away, but it'll take several weeks before you see an improvement in the look and feel of your skin. In fact, your skin condition may look worse at first as you adjust to the new regimen.
The most common cause of hyperpigmentation is sun exposure. The body darkens the skin to protect it from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, the best preventative treatment for hyperpigmentation is daily use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
As sun exposure worsens hyperpigmentation it is important to protect the skin with sunscreen on a daily basis. Treatment often begins with a skin care regimen composed of a daily sunscreen, moisturizers, and skin care brighteners.
What triggers hyperpigmentation? Triggers include sun exposure, hormonal changes, and trauma to the skin, for example, due to acne or an injury. Picking at scabs and spots may make it worse. Some face creams can irritate the skin, leading to further hyperpigmentation.
The choice should come down to what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is most notable for helping to brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, retinol is typically considered best-in-class for wrinkles and fine lines.
For those of us who do suffer from purging, it can look like: breaking out in pustules (pimples), the appearance of flaky, peeling skin, irritation and dry patches. Getting these symptoms can be demotivating, especially if you're already feeling unconfident about your skin.
Retinol starts to work in your cells right away, but it is not an overnight cure for pigmentation. It will take several weeks up to months for noticeable results to appear. Retinol requires more time to take effect compared to stronger retinoids, as the skin must convert it into retinoic acid before it becomes active.
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.
Areas of hyperpigmentation might also fade on their own without treatment. To help speed up the process, there are several different types of topical medication that can reduce PIH skin spots: Skin lighteners such as hydroquinone and azelaic acid to help reduce melanin production.
Melanin concentration:
As pigmentation cells rise to the surface, the melanin concentration in that area temporarily increases. This is what you perceive as the spots getting darker.
One study showed that visible light caused more noticeable, persistent hyperpigmentation that UVA alone, especially in people with deep skin tones.
The retinol uglies can last anywhere from 4–8 weeks. The exact length of a retinoid purge depends very much on your skin type and sensitivity. The amount and strength of your retinoid product can also play a part. Some people experience a purge flare-up for only a few days, and others don't get it at all.
If your skin is prone to melasma or has a history of hyperpigmentation, retinol may initially worsen the appearance of dark patches before it improves. Additionally, some individuals experience a “purging” phase where the skin becomes inflamed before showing results, which can contribute to temporary darkening.
You will be able to tell that Retinol is working if you start to see improvements in the texture and general appearance of your skin. Some people might be able to spot changes in their skin quite quickly, while others will have to be more patient.
Vitamin C can help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, with noticeable results in as little as 3-4 weeks.
Retinol is recommended for overnight use only and vitamin C is well suited to apply in the morning. In light of this, using your vitamin C in the morning and your retinol at night is a simple and easy way to ensure that these ingredients won't interfere with one another.
Tretinoin can lead to more significant and faster results in anti-aging compared to retinol because it is more potent and it is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles, pigmentation and skin texture. While retinol is effective in improving signs of aging, the results may be slower and less dramatic compared to tretinoin.
The hyperpigmentation related to vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in darker-skinned patients. Few other cases of skin hyperpigmentation due to vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported in the literature. The mechanism of hyperpigmentation is due to increased melanin synthesis rather than a defect in melanin.
Some forms of hyperpigmentation, such as those caused by acne, may fade within a few months, while others, like melasma, can last for years or even be permanent if not properly treated.