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.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser treatment of pigmentation on the face has minimal side effects. It delivers results that can last up to five years. Also, laser skin resurfacing can be completed in conjunction with facelift surgery and other facial rejuvenation procedures.
Some of the most common ingredients are vitamin C, hydroquinone, retinol, glycolic acids, or other alpha hydroxy acids. Using these daily can improve all types of pigmentation in the skin. In addition, procedures can improve post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
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.
“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.
The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].
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.
Azelaic Acid's Superpowers
Evens out skin tone: Azelaic acid takes the spotlight when it comes to reducing redness and hyperpigmentation. It's the backstage crew that ensures the show goes on without any uneven tone or blemishes.
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.
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.
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.
You should expect to see some improvement quite quickly - in 6 weeks or so, things should start to look better. But for clearance of pigmentation, you may well be looking at 6 months +, for issues like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in acne in those with melanated skin.
AHAs: Most experts caution against using AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) with azelaic acid, since the combination can increase skin sensitivity and make skin red, irritated and scaly. BHAs: BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids), such as salicylic acid, can also increase sensitivity when combined with azelaic acid.
A brightening serum with vitamin C.
If you have mild to moderate hyperpigmentation, vitamin C can help fade dark spots. Since vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, it can also protect your skin from future sun damage and environmental stressors (i.e., air pollution).
Tranexamic acid has also found to inhibit tyrosinase activity to reduce hyperpigmentation. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that catalyzes the first step of melanin synthesis from the protein tyrosine. This mechanism of action of tranexamic acid leads to a slowed melanin synthesis and lightened hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation is an early and reversible sign of vitamin B 12 deficiency, which must be promptly recognised and corrected. The cause of B12 deficiency must be identified and additionally treated.
Vitamin C can help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, with noticeable results in as little as 3-4 weeks.
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.