Some cases of hyperpigmentation may never go away completely. If hyperpigmentation is caused by injury, then as the skin heals the discoloration will lessen as melanin is absorbed into the tissue surrounding the injury.
Chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, or dermabrasion are all options that work similarly to rid skin of hyperpigmentation. These procedures work to gently remove the top layer of your skin where the dark spots lie.
Dark spots appear when the skin cells produce too much melanin. Hyperpigmentation acne may fade over time, but if the original spots were deep, it may be permanent. Although some topical and surgical therapies can speed up the fading process, it can take several months to years.
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.
There is no quick fix for PIH. Even with treatment, it can take a long time for your skin to return to normal. Epidermal PIH can last for 6 to 12 months or more. Dermal PIH can take years to fade, and spots may be permanent.
Start with topical OTC whitening creams. “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.
It helps fade hyperpigmentation
Vitamin C inhibits melanin synthesis by downregulating the activity of an enzyme known as tyrosinase. It's widely used in dermatology for depigmentation of hyperpigmented spots on the skin.
Exfoliation is the act of removing dead skin cells from the skin. If the first layer of skin contains the hyperpigmentation, then exfoliation will help to get rid of the tricky skin cells on that top layer, leaving it soft and smooth.
“If the retinol you're using is too strong for your skin causing inflammation, darker skin tones may have a higher risk of discoloration, or hyperpigmentation, from the use of it," she adds. Dr. Icecreamwala recommends starting with a retinol that is 0.3 or 0.5 percent.
Drink enough water
The benefits of staying hydrated are too many. Pooja suggests drinking at least 2-3 litres of water daily to fight pigmentation effectively.
This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, creating a temporary darkening of the spots. So, the darkening is what you want to see. It means the pigment is coming up and is ready to be shed away. You might be tempted at this point to over-exfoliate in an attempt to speed up the process even more.
Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.
Peer reviewed studies suggest you should consult your doctor if you're not seeing any results by week 12. In patients with sun-damaged skin, improvements in the skin usually are seen within the first 3-4 weeks of treatment. Brown spots begin to fade after 6-8 weeks.
Pigmentation on and around lips can be the result of dehydration, among other lifestyle and environmental factors. But don't worry as smooth, healthy lips are just a scrub away. Scrubbing helps exfoliate dead skin cells and makes them appear brighter and smoother.
We have to (gently) scrub off those old cells and make way for the new ones. Think of it like cutting off dead/split ends to allow for new and healthier hair growth. Natural scrubs like brown sugar and olive oil, exfoliating gloves and towels, and even dry brushing can help with this step.
Salicylic acid decreases postacne hyperpigmentation by its anti-inflammatory effects. Ahn and Kim[18] found salicylic acid to have a whitening effect on the skin as well. Mandelic acid also has a beneficial effect in improving skin pigmentation.
L-cysteamine is a topical antioxidant that effectively evens hyperpigmentation. You can get it from some doctors' offices or online by prescription. Tranexamic acid can be taken as a pill or applied as a topical to improve melasma. It's an option for people who don't see improvement with other forms of therapy.
What It Does: This potent antioxidant interferes with the production of pigment in the skin, fading dark spots. When You'll See Results: Once you add vitamin C to your skincare regimen, you may start seeing noticeable improvements in three weeks. It can help significantly fade hyperpigmentation in about two months.
Vitamin E is highly rich in antioxidants that are essential for lowering inflammation, prevent skin damage, restore the skin's natural health and help in evening the tone. Along with these benefits, Vitamin E is also helpful in controlling hyperpigmentation and is a natural nourishing agent for the skin.
So to answer if vaseline removes dark spots - No, regular Vaseline is just petroleum jelly and doesn't contain any ingredient that would remove dark spots. Vaseline is also not recommended to be applied if you have acne prone skin since it can make a barrier and clog pores due to its occlusive property.
Some foods contain chemical hormones that can aggravate hormone-triggered hyperpigmentation. Examples of foods that contain potentially hyperpigmentation-causing hormones are soy products, black beans, flaxseed and chickpeas, all of which contain estrogen.