Why has my hyperpigmentation gotten worse?

Author: Mia Wilkinson  |  Last update: Monday, August 4, 2025

Triggers include sun exposure, hormonal changes, and trauma to the skin, for example, due to acne or an injury. Picking at scabs and spots may make it worse. Some face creams can irritate the skin, leading to further hyperpigmentation.

Why does my hyperpigmentation look worse?

Once dark spots have developed, sun exposure can also exacerbate the issue by making age spots (or sun spots), melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation spots even darker. Hormonal influences are the main cause of a particular kind of hyperpigmentation known as melasma or chloasma.

Does hyperpigmentation get darker before healing?

It's important to remember that it is a sign of progress and there's nothing to worry about unless you are seeking treatment. The temporary darkening of the hyperpigmentation spots or patches can be discouraging or embarrassing, but remember it is actually a sign that the treatment is working.

How do you stop hyperpigmentation from getting worse?

How to prevent hyperpigmentation
  1. Avoid direct sunlight. Try to stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 10 am to 2 pm. ...
  2. Use a hat. Shade your face and scalp with a wide-brimmed hat.
  3. Incorporate Vitamin C into your beauty routine. ...
  4. Apply SPF. ...
  5. Limit touching your skin.

Why does hyperpigmentation flare up?

It can be caused by a variety of factors, from pregnancy hormones and birth control pills to acne and sun exposure. 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.

Best Remedy for Hyperpigmentation

What aggravates hyperpigmentation?

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur after skin inflammation resulting from an injury, cuts, burns, acne, or lupus. It can occur anywhere on the body, but sun exposure can make it more pronounced.

What does inflammatory hyperpigmentation look like?

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is characterised by flat, tan, brown or black spots on the skin. This condition can occur on any area of the body, including in the mouth, the genital areas and on the nails.

Why did my skin suddenly get darker?

Numerous variables, such as sun exposure, hormone changes, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, ageing, skin conditions, and lifestyle choices, can cause skin darkening. Understanding the underlying reasons will help us avoid or cure darker skin tones.

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 can I speed up the healing of hyperpigmentation?

Areas of hyperpigmentation might also fade on their own without treatment. To help speed up the process, there are several different types of topical medication that can reduce PIH skin spots: Skin lighteners such as hydroquinone and azelaic acid to help reduce melanin production.

Why is my skin getting darker after using niacinamide?

Some may also have skin discoloration due to using niacinamide combined with other active ingredients that are too harsh for your skin type. Niacinamide can also cause problems when it's mixed with the following substances: Acids, including lactic acid, glycolic acid, and azelaic acid.

Why is my hyperpigmentation not clearing?

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.

When should I worry about hyperpigmentation?

Call your health care provider for an appointment if you have: Skin discoloration that causes significant concern. Persistent, unexplained darkening or lightening of the skin. Any skin sore or lesion that changes shape, size, or color may be a sign of skin cancer.

How to get rid of hyperpigmentation down there?

At-Home Remedies
  1. Sugar-scrubs with honey.
  2. Coconut oil.
  3. Baking soda and water masks.
  4. Lime juice.
  5. A mix of yogurt and oatmeal to make scrubs.

Does hyperpigmentation get darker before it fades?

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 deficiency causes skin darkening?

The hyperpigmentation related to vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in darker-skinned patients. Few other cases of skin hyperpigmentation due to vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported in the literature. The mechanism of hyperpigmentation is due to increased melanin synthesis rather than a defect in melanin.

What are the three types of hyperpigmentation?

Three common types of hyperpigmentation include: Sunspots, age spots, liver spots, or solar lentigines. These are different names for spots that develop because of one thing—sun exposure. Sunspots are most likely to pop up on areas that are commonly exposed to the sun, such as your face and hands.

What lightens hyperpigmentation the fastest?

Best ingredients to get rid of dark spots
  • Tazarotene. ...
  • Glycolic acid. ...
  • Azelaic acid. ...
  • Niacinamide. ...
  • Tranexamic acid. ...
  • Thiamidol. ...
  • Kojic acid. ...
  • Vitamin C.

How long does it take to reverse hyperpigmentation?

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 retinol work on hyperpigmentation?

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.

What worsens post inflammatory hyperpigmentation?

Patients should be encouraged to avoid picking or irritating affected areas, as trauma can exacerbate postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Sunscreen is essential, as ultraviolet exposure can worsen pigmentation and prolong healing; daily broad-spectrum sunscreen use should be a foundational part of treatment.

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.

Does hyperpigmentation go away when you lose weight?

Treating the underlying cause of acanthosis nigricans can make the dark patches of skin fade or even disappear. This can mean stopping any medicine that's causing the problem or treating diabetes and other health conditions. Losing weight will help acanthosis nigricans fade.

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