Sun damage is the number one cause of patches of hyperpigmentation, and you can do a lot to prevent sun damage by applying SPF and staying out of direct sunlight. To treat darker skin pigmentation, using products that contain ingredients such as retinol or Niacinamide can help.
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. Sun exposure is the number one cause of hyperpigmentation as it's sunlight that triggers the production of melanin in the first place.
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.
Topical therapies (creams and lotions applied to the skin) are the most common treatment option for hyperpigmentation. Combination therapy, in which multiple topical treatments are used together, is usually most effective in treating hyperpigmentation. The most common cause of hyperpigmentation is sun exposure.
One cause of food-induced skin pigmentation is the chemical psoralen, which increases the risk of age spots and makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays. Psoralen is found in foods like the common fig, parsley, parsnips, limes, and celery.
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.
According to research, aloe vera includes aloin, a naturally occurring depigmenting substance that has been demonstrated to lighten skin and function well as a nontoxic hyperpigmentation therapy. For using this: Before going to bed, apply pure aloe vera gel on pigmented areas. The next morning, rinse with warm water.
Topical therapy is the recommended first-line treatment, with the gold standard being hydroquinone, which can be used alone or in combination with other agents.
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.
Does Drinking Water Help Pigmentation? Research notes that increasing how much water you drink everyday can positively impact the skin's overall health and appearance. 5 This suggests, that in some cases, staying hydrated may help with some types of skin pigmentation.
If you want to reduce pigmentation caused due to melanin, you should eat nutritious food. It would be best to add Tomatoes, Milk, Eggs, Cheese, Carrots, Yogurt, Oatmeal, Ginger, watermelon, kiwi, papaya, and dry fruits to the diet. Eating foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals will help you see faster results.
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“I treat hyperpigmentation regularly using a combined approach of topical treatments and procedures,” Dr. Vashi says. “Procedures include chemical peels with alpha and beta hydroxy acids, microneedling, and certain types of lasers.”
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.
Try: A skin-lightening ingredient like hydroquinone or cysteamine hydrochloride. Hydroquinone has been used for decades to help lighten dark spots. It's recommended for those who have stubborn melasma—you probably don't need hydroquinone if you have mild hyperpigmentation, says Dr.
Reason #1: You're Getting Too Much Sun. While you certainly don't have to adopt a vampire's suncare habits, that big ball of fire in the sky is one of the biggest culprits in terms of what causes dark spots on the face and on your body.
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.