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.
Grading by the dermatologist. Patients' skin conditions were evaluated by three certified dermatologists using the simplified Physician Global Assessment 15 , 16 score scale (0 = almost clear, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe) in terms of the degree of hyperpigmentation.
Treatment often begins with a skin care regimen composed of a daily sunscreen, moisturizers, and skin care brighteners. Some of the more common skin brighteners include hydroquinone, vitamin C, azelaic acid, tretinoin and kojic acid.
Hydroquinone: The "Gold Standard" Treatment for Dark Spots. What is hydroquinone? Hydroquinone is a topical skin lightening treatment used for hyperpigmentation, melasma, freckles, scars and sun spots on skin.
The first-line treatment for hyperpigmentation involves topical formulations of conventional agents such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, and glycolic acid followed by oral formulations of therapeutic agents such as tranexamic acid, melatonin, and cysteamine hydrochloride.
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.
“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.
“AHAs including mandelic, lactic, and glycolic acid are often very beneficial at intermediate strengths when used repeatedly on most types of pigmentation,” explains Dr Jack. “AHA peels will usually be done once every month for four-to-six months for the best results.
A concentration of 12% hydroquinone actually prevents the production of melanin altogether. Over the past several years, information about negative side effects from using hydroquinone products has been released.
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.
If you want to treat hyperpigmentation more aggressively and don't mind some downtime, CO2 Laser Resurfacing is for you. CO2 Laser Resurfacing is the most effective non-surgical method to improve the appearance of your skin overall and hyperpigmentation specifically.
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.
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.
The skin is often very dry and has a strong tendency to flake. The skin is often covered with freckles (ephilitic spots). The facial skin has no visible pores. This is also referred to as the "Irish skin type" or the "Celtic skin type".
The PS score ranges from 1 (no hyperpigmentation) to 4 (maximum hyperpigmentation). Then SHI is computed as the ratio of the PS scores in pigmented versus reference normal skin area, as shown in the following equation: The SHI ranges from 1 (no hyperpigmentation) to 4 (maximum hyperpigmentation).
Green light is ideal for those with sensitive skin or mild hyperpigmentation since it's gentle and focuses specifically on reducing melanin without causing irritation.
Tranexamic Acid Is The Ingredient Dermatologists Swear By For Hyperpigmentation | Vogue.
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA is a water-based serum specifically designed to target uneven skin tone and dark spots. It combines a high concentration of purified alpha arbutin, a well-known skin-brightening ingredient, with hyaluronic acid. Purified alpha-arbutin works to visibly even skin tone and improve skin radiance.