Even with treatment, it can take a long time for your skin to return to normal. 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.
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.
Is hypopigmentation permanent? It depends on what's causing your hypopigmentation. If you have albinism or hypopigmentation from scars, it's permanent. Hypopigmentation from injuries, treatments and certain skin conditions may go away on its own or go away after treatment.
The simple answer is yes. However, hyperpigmentation treatment does not prevent future discoloration. So, if you continue to damage your skin with sun exposure, acne, or other environmental factors, you may require future treatments.
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.
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.
Retinoids are useful in the treatment of hyperpigmentation because they reduce epidermal melanin by blocking the transcription of tyrosinase, induce desquamation, disperse keratinocyte pigment granules and enhance epidermal cell turnover via epidermopoiesis.
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.
The most frequent cause of hyperpigmentation is exposure to the sun, which heavily stimulates melanin production. A recent study (Figure 2) demonstrated how early sun exposure might worsen dark spots, by making them resemble melasma, post-inflammatory spots, and age spots [24].
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.
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.
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.
The skin goes red, inflamed, and peeling because retinol has chemically burned away the upper layer of skin, the new exposed skin has not had enough time to build up its natural protection film to UV light and pollutants that a good UV moisturising oil can help with and reduce the exposure to skin cancer risk, ...
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.
Apply fresh lemon juice, baking soda paste, or aloe vera gel to the spots 2-3 times a day. The natural bleaching properties can help lighten spots quickly. Stay consistent, and for safety, do the patch test first.
According to Dr. Eric Howell, to fade hyperpigmentation fast, your dermatologist can prescribe a triple combination cream consisting of hydroquinone, tretinoin and a topical corticosteroid sold under the brand name Tri-Luma, or can be also purchased via a compounding pharmacy.
For those looking to reduce pigmentation on the face, our vitamin C serum is expertly formulated to help visibly reduce hyperpigmentation. Our CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum for Anti-Ageing is enriched with 10% pure vitamin C to visibly brighten and even out your skin tone.
You aren't wearing the right sunscreen
Using sunscreen regularly is very important. At the same time getting the right sunscreen is also important. Dermatologists recommend one with SPF 30 and more to prevent skin pigmentation.
Vitamin C can help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, with noticeable results in as little as 3-4 weeks.