Acne and inflammation aren’t the only skin problems that plague us. Skin discoloration can also be an issue, especially as we age. Hyperpigmentation is the darkening or discoloration of the skin caused by an excess production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. It can appear as age spots, sun spots, melasma (lentigo spots of pregnancy), and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne or other skin injuries. It’s very common and most people will experience it at some point in their life, but what causes it and how can it be treated?
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What causes hyperpigmentation?
The most common causes of dark spots and pigmentation are:
- Exposure to the sun: Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun stimulate melanocyte cells to produce melanin, causing sun spots and age spots.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, use of birth control pills, and hormone replacement therapy can all trigger melasma.
- inflammation: Acne, eczema, and other skin injuries can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Pharmaceuticals: Some medications, such as antimalarial and chemotherapy drugs, can increase melanin production and cause discolouration.
- aging: As we age, melanocyte cells become more active, causing age spots and melasma.
How to treat?
There are a variety of treatment options for hyperpigmentation, from topical products to professional procedures. Topical treatments, such as over-the-counter and prescription creams containing ingredients such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid, retinoids, vitamin C, and niacinamide, can help fade hyperpigmentation. Professional chemical peels using alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can also help exfoliate the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser therapy can target and break down excess melanin in the skin. Microneedling, a procedure that creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen production and cell turnover, can also help improve hyperpigmentation.
The best products to treat pigmentation
Keren Bartov
Booster Peel & Glow Serum
Sarah Chapman
Skinesis Skin Tone Perfecting Booster
Dr. Barbara Sturm
The Good C Vitamin C Serum
La Prairie
White Caviar Essence Extraordinary Eye Illuminating Pre-serum
La Roche-Posay
Mela B3 Dark Spot Corrector Serum with Niacinamide
Keren Bartov | Booster Peel & Glow Serum
This serum contains a blend of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) that gently exfoliate the skin and reduce the appearance of blemishes and uneven skin tone.
Sarah Chapman | Skinesis Skin Tone Perfecting Booster
Formulated with botanical lightening ingredients, this skin-tone correcting booster helps reduce the appearance of age spots, sun damage, age spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma and other skin discolorations while addressing uneven skin tone for an overall brighter complexion.
Dr. Barbara Sturm | The Good C Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that inhibits melanin production and brightens the skin. This serum contains stabilized Vitamin C to effectively reduce hyperpigmentation.
LA PRAIRIE | White Caviar Essence Extraordinaire Illuminating Pre-serum
This luxurious essence is infused with Caviar Extract and an exclusive Brightening Complex to help reduce the appearance of blemishes and even skin tone.
LA ROCHE-POSAY | Mela B3 Dark Spot Corrector Serum with Niacinamide
Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, is known to help inhibit melanin production and improve pigmentation, and this serum is specially formulated to target dark spots and discoloration.
Read next: Does your skin need niacinamide? | 4 Best Serums
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