Does hyperpigmentation get worse before it fades?

Author: Dr. Felipa Jenkins  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 3, 2022

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.

Does hyperpigmentation get darker before it gets better?

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.

Do dark spots get worse before they get better?

Dark spots, also known as hyperpigmentation, can happen year-round — but they get even worse when you're spending more time outdoors. “I counsel my patients that any dark spot will get darker [more quickly than your normal skin tone] in the sun,” says Dr. Elyse Love, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

How long does hyperpigmentation take to fade?

For post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), without any treatment at all it can take anywhere from three months to two years for the discoloration to fade, depending on how dark the patches are, and even then it may not disappear completely.

How do I know if my hyperpigmentation is fading?

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.

TOP 10 Ingredients to FADE HYPERPIGMENTATION| Dr Dray

Why is my pigmentation getting worse?

The biggest risk factors for general hyperpigmentation are sun exposure and inflammation, as both situations can increase melanin production. The greater your exposure to the sun, the greater your risk of increased skin pigmentation.

Why wont my dark spots fade?

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).

Can hyperpigmentation go away by itself?

Typically, these hyperpigmentation spots caused by a skin trauma go away on their own within a couple of months. Sun damage is exactly what it sounds like. Dark spots that occur from overexposure to the sun's UV rays.

How can I lighten my hyperpigmentation fast?

Start with topical OTC whitening creams. “Treatments containing ingredients like vitamin C, licorice root, and kojic acid help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the formation of skin-darkening melanin," says Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist.

Can hyperpigmentation be cured permanently?

Pigmentation loss as a result of skin damage: 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 frequently not permanent, but it may take a long time to re-pigment.

Does drinking water reduce pigmentation?

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.

Do dark spots come back after hydroquinone?

Excessive hydroquinone concentrations may induce toxic or shocking effects on melanocytes, forcing them to regroup and increase their melanin production (resulting in rebound hyperpigmentation).

Does vitamin C help with hyperpigmentation?

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.

How do you fade hyperpigmentation naturally?

Pigmentation treatment at home
  1. Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a container.
  2. Apply to your dark patches and leave on two to three minutes.
  3. Rinse using lukewarm water.
  4. Repeat twice daily you achieve the results you desire.

What is the best thing for hyperpigmentation?

8 Treatment Options for Hyperpigmentation
  • Lightening creams.
  • Face acids.
  • Retinoids.
  • Chemical peel.
  • Laser peel.
  • IPL therapy.
  • Microdermabrasion.
  • Dermabrasion.

What is the fastest dark spot remover?

Best Dark Spot Correctors
  • Dr. ...
  • Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector, $15.
  • It Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots 4% Niacinamide Serum, $29.
  • Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum, $72 to $75.
  • Peter Thomas Roth Pro Strength Niacinamide Discoloration Treatment, $88.
  • Skinfix Correct+ Dark Spot Corrector, $60.

How do dermatologists get rid of dark spots?

A dermatologist may recommend one of the following treatments for dark spots on the skin:
  1. Laser treatment. Different types of lasers are available. ...
  2. Microdermabrasion. ...
  3. Chemical peels. ...
  4. Cryotherapy. ...
  5. Prescription skin-lightening cream.

What does hyperpigmentation look like?

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.

How long does vitamin C take to remove hyperpigmentation?

What It Does: This potent antioxidant interferes with the production of pigment in the skin, fading dark spots. When You'll See Results: Once you add vitamin C to your skincare regimen, you may start seeing noticeable improvements in three weeks. It can help significantly fade hyperpigmentation in about two months.

Can vitamin C make hyperpigmentation worse?

When vitamin C is exposed to light it becomes unstable, the consequences include irritation, inflammation and acne. All of these can cause post inflammatory pigmentation, leaving you worse off than when you started.

Is there a pill for hyperpigmentation?

L-cysteamine is a topical antioxidant that effectively evens hyperpigmentation. You can get it from some doctors' offices or online by prescription. Tranexamic acid can be taken as a pill or applied as a topical to improve melasma. It's an option for people who don't see improvement with other forms of therapy.

How do you know if hydroquinone is working?

Lightening of the skin should be noticed within 4 weeks of initiation, if no change is seen in 3 months, contact your dermatologist for further recommendations. Side Effects: Normally hydroquinone is very well tolerated, however side effects may be seen.

Can hydroquinone make dark spots worse?

Hydroquinone may be helpful in epidermal-type melasma. Concentrations vary from 2% to 10% and hydroquinone may be used twice daily for 12 weeks. Hydroquinone may cause local skin irritation, however, and thereby leading to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, making the skin pigmentation worse.

What happens if you stop using hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone may prove beneficial for a maximum of five to six months. Once you stop using it, you may experience irritation on the affected parts of your body. This may lead to inflammation. This inflammation may be dangerous as your skin then begins to build resistance to the treatment after a certain time.

How do celebrities get rid of hyperpigmentation?

"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."

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