The HydraFacial is the best facial for reducing hyperpigmentation on the face. The HydraFacial is a three-step medical-grade facial that helps to improve the overall look and feel of the skin. The HydraFacial focuses on deeply cleansing, gently exfoliating, and intensely nourishing the skin.
Hydroquinone. 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.
Treatment: Ingredients like hydroquinone, tretinoin, tazarotene, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, tranexamic acid, thiamidol, kojic acid, and vitamin C are highlighted for their roles in treating hyperpigmentation by lightening dark spots and promoting an even skin tone.
The fastest way to get rid of hyperpigmentation is through dermatologist treatments such as chemical peels, microneedling, and laser treatments. In some cases, you can expect to see results within just a day or two.
The HydraFacial is the best facial for reducing hyperpigmentation on the face. The HydraFacial is a three-step medical-grade facial that helps to improve the overall look and feel of the skin. The HydraFacial focuses on deeply cleansing, gently exfoliating, and intensely nourishing the skin.
“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.
If you want to get rid of dark spots fast, a procedure that removes layers of discolored skin may work better than a lightening cream. These techniques include laser treatments, freezing (cryotherapy), dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, microneedling, and chemical peels.
We recommend BBL and/or laser treatment for the majority of cases of facial pigmentation we see in Spot Check Clinic, but only after examination and assessment by a doctor accredited with the Australasian Skin Cancer College and with experience and qualifications in cosmetic medicine, dermatology and laser/IPLL safety.
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.
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.
Both ingredients can fade hyperpigmentation and increase collagen production. Vitamin C (depending on the percentage) can be more harsh for sensitive skin types. Or, you might want to use niacinamide if you have acne-prone skin, and leverage Vitamin C for fading post-acne marks and dark spots.
Best Laser Treatment for Hyperpigmentation
Our top laser treatment for hyperpigmentation is the Moxi™ non-ablative fractionated laser. This treatment creates micro-coagulation zones in the hyperpigmented area, which signal the body to replace the cells with new, healthy skin cells.
Possible safer and more efficacious cosmeceutical therapies we discuss include thiamidol, kojic acid, vitamin C, arbutin, retinol, nicotinamide, ferulic acid,resorcinol, licorice root extract and soy.
Vitamin C can help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, with noticeable results in as little as 3-4 weeks.
Niacinamide is generally considered more effective for hyperpigmentation as it inhibits melanin production. Glycolic acid works by increasing cell turnover to reveal newer skin. Using both can provide a powerful approach.
Microneedling does a tremendous job of lightening and reversing hyperpigmentation and sun damage. This is again due to the power of collagen production and its ability to repair and restore your skin. There's some research that suggests that microneedling is the most effective therapy for sun spots.
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.
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.