What are the stages of pigmentation?

Author: Ozella Kertzmann  |  Last update: Friday, October 3, 2025

Skin with too much melanin is called hyperpigmented skin. Skin with too little melanin is called hypopigmented. Skin with no melanin at all is called depigmented. Pale skin areas are due to too little melanin or underactive melanocytes.

What are the stages of skin pigmentation?

Understanding the stages of pigmentation can help in managing and treating it effectively:
  • Early Stage: This is when you first notice minor discoloration or spots that may be barely visible but are starting to affect the overall tone of your skin.
  • Moderate Stage: Spots and discolorations become more pronounced.

What are the 3 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.

What are the grades of pigmentation?

... from zero to four (0: skin color comparable to other facial skin; 1: faint pigmentation or change in color of infraorbital fold; 2: more pronounced pigmentation or change in color of the infraorbital fold; 3: deep dark pigmentation or change in color, all four eyelids; 4: grade 3 with pigmentation or change in ...

Does pigmentation get darker 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.

What Is Pigmentation On Face & What Are The Causes Of Pigmentation | Cosmetologist Explains

What worsens pigmentation?

Causes of hyperpigmentation

sun exposure. genetics. hormonal fluctuations, such as during pregnancy. medications, including certain antibiotics and drugs that cause increased sensitivity to the sun.

What fades hyperpigmentation fast?

“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 in New York City.

How to tell how deep pigmentation is?

A new observation reported here illustrates that Wood's light can be used to determine the depth of melanin pigmentation in the skin: contrast in epidermal pigmentation is increased while contrast in dermal pigmentation is decreased under Wood's lamp illumination compared to ambient visible light.

What to eat to reduce pigmentation?

7 Foods to Reduce Pigmentation
  • Pomegranate. ...
  • Papaya. ...
  • Fatty Fish. ...
  • Carrot. ...
  • Green vegetables. ...
  • Sweet Potato. ...
  • Citrus Fruits. ...
  • Cleanse: Cleanse your face with a gentle face wash to eliminate dust, dirt, and pollution trapped under the skin.

What is the gold standard for pigmentation?

Topical HQ is regarded as the gold standard for the treatment of facial hyperpigmentation. HQ is a bleaching agent that acts by inhibiting tyrosinase to limit melanin production in the skin.

What does bad hyperpigmentation look like?

It appears as irregular patches of tan, brown or brown-gray pigmentation, usually on the face. Melasma is more common in women than men because of hormonal changes, and it occurs more often during pregnancy. Other common triggers include sun exposure and medications like as oral contraceptives.

Which serum is best for pigmentation?

  • 4.7|14. AD. RAS LUXURY OILS. Advanced Booster Serum - 10 ml. ...
  • 4.3|107. AD. FIXDERMA. ...
  • 4.3|186. The Derma co. Pigmentation Corrector Serum. ...
  • 4.4|5. Dermatouch. Bye Bye Pigmentation Serum. ...
  • 4.4|77. AD. Hyphen. ...
  • 4.1|34. Dermatouch. Bye Bye Pigmentation Serum. ...
  • 4.2|25. SUGANDA SKINCARE. Advanced Pigmentation Serum. ...
  • 4.4|9.4k. AD. Ponds.

What is the best home remedy for pigmentation?

Here are some of the remedies:
  1. Masoor dal (red lentils) ...
  2. Grape seed oil. ...
  3. Apple cider vinegar. ...
  4. Red onion. ...
  5. Black tea water. ...
  6. Licorice extract. ...
  7. Tomato paste. ...
  8. Orchid extracts. Orchid extracts contain vitamin C and are used to treat Hyperpigmentation.

Does drinking water help hyperpigmentation?

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.

How long does pigmentation take to fade?

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.

Does pigmentation get worse with age?

Pigmentation or hyperpigmentation as it is also known, can occur for a variety of reasons. The effects can also become more obvious as we age, and if left untreated and unprotected can worsen. Common causes of hyperpigmentation are: over-exposure to the sun.

What is the fastest way to get rid of pigmentation?

Since hyperpigmentation is something we can regulate with appropriate topical treatments and lifestyle changes, let's take a look at how to get rid of pigmentation:
  1. Sunscreen Protection. ...
  2. Topical Vitamin C. ...
  3. Retinoids. ...
  4. Chemical Peels. ...
  5. Laser Therapy. ...
  6. Skin Brightening Creams or Serums. ...
  7. Natural Remedies. ...
  8. Microdermabrasion.

Which vitamin is best for 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.

What drink is good for pigmentation?

​​Green Tea​

Green tea contains antioxidants, particularly catechins, which may help protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays. Sipping on this tea can help reverse signs of aging and reduce the impact of pigmentation on topical application.

Which is the most effective cream for pigmentation?

Some of the best creams for pigmentation in India include Kojic Acid and Vitamin C Cream (₹95) and Zeeglow Glycolic Acid, Arbutin, and Kojic Acid Cream (₹149). These creams are effective in reducing dark spots and evening out skin tone.

What is the difference between hyperpigmentation and pigmentation?

In the case of pigmentation, the melanin production is in balance, leading to an even and natural skin tone. However, with hyperpigmentation, there is an overproduction of melanin in specific areas, resulting in darker patches or spots.

How do I know if I have melasma or pigmentation?

The patch pattern can also help you determine if you have melasma or hyperpigmentation. "Hyperpigmentation is usually very focused, whereas melasma appears as broad patches with intervening areas of clearing," says Anthony Rossi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

What's the best serum for hyperpigmentation?

Shop the Best Hyperpigmentation Serums
  • Best Overall. SkinMedica Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment. Read more.
  • Best for Sun Spots. La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum. Read more.
  • Best for Mature Skin. Dr. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Serum. Read more.

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