Hyperpigmentation is a medical term used for darker patches of skin. These patches appear due to the extra melanin production. Due to this, the patches appear darker than other parts. Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skin conditions and can affect almost people with every skin tone. This condition is not harmful to the body but who wants dark patches on his/her face? If you don’t treat them, your skin, especially your face, has to deal with this condition.
Types of hyperpigmentation
There are lots of different types of hyperpigmentation. Among those, there are mainly three types:
Melasma
This type of hyperpigmentation is mostly caused by hormonal changes. Women often develop melasma during pregnancy. Hyperpigmentation can appear on any body part but mainly occur on the face and stomach.
Sunspots
This type of hyperpigmentation is also known as liver spots. You can get sunspots due to sun exposure. The UV rays of the sun trigger the skin and it produces extra melanin. A person develops sunspots usually on the areas exposed to the sun like the face and hands.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Your skin may get hyperpigmentation due to some skin conditions like acne, cuts, bug bites, eczema, scrapes, etc. Inflammation increases the rate of pigment production that leaves dark spots after healing.
Certain medication
Some people also get hyperpigmentation after taking certain medicines. Drugs like antibiotics and chemotherapy medicines can also lead to hyperpigmentation.
Best treatment options for Hyperpigmentation
Lightening creams
These are OTC treatments for hyperpigmentations. These dreams are made of ingredients that can reduce hyperpigmentation scars. You can get these creams on a doctor’s prescription. The person has to apply the cream about once or twice a day. Some of the lightning topical treatments are available in gel form. Most OTC lightening products include ingredients like licorice extract, N-acetylglucosamine, vitamin B-3, etc. These creams work well for flat spots like melasma. Lighting creams can be used for most skin types. These are affordable and good options for reducing hyperpigmentation but these creams take more time than other professional treatments.
Face acids
Face acids exfoliate or shred the top layer of the skin. When the skin exfoliates, new skin cells appear and take the place of old cells. This treatment can even out the skin tone and also makes it smooth. Lots of face acids are available at beauty and drug stores like alpha hydroxy acids, kojic acid, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin C, etc. These face acids are mainly used to remove mild hyperpigmentation on fairer skin tones. You should look for a product with an acid content of 10 percent or less. Products with higher concentrations can increase the side-effects risks.
Retinoids
Retinoids are one of the oldest OTC products for skincare. It penetrates deeper into the skin and treats the layers below the epidermis. You can get retinoids on prescription or OTC. But OTC retinoids are weaker and may take a lot of time. If the retinoids are not showing any positive results even after months then you should talk to a dermatologist. These are safe for all skin tones. People often use retinoids to treat wrinkles.
Natural medication
Your skin can develop hyperpigmentation due to lots of reasons. You can also try natural medications for treating hyperpigmentation. You can consult a homeopathy doctor Pennsylvania and get the best natural medications for your conditions. These medications will not only remove the hyperpigmentation but also prevent a recurrence.
Chemical Peel
In a chemical peel, acids are used at higher concentrations to treat the skin. It minimizes the hyperpigmentation appearance by removing the epidermis. Some people also use deeper versions to penetrate the dermis to get better results. Indeed few chemical peels are available OTC but you should always go for professional peeling by a dermatologist. Those peels are more powerful and provide good results. However, if you go for in-house chemical peels, you may get side effects like irritation, redness, blistering, etc as you don’t know what is best for the skin. After peeling, your dermatologist will ask to prevent sunlight. Your skin gets too sensitive to UV rays. Wear sunscreen and prevent walking outside without any cover for a few days. A chemical peel works well for fair skin tone and provides faster results.
Laser Peel
In this treatment, the laser is used to reduce hyperpigmentation in the affected area. Ablative and non-ablative are two different types of laser peels. The non-ablative laser targets the dermis to increase collagen growth. Ablative laser is more powerful and used for removing layers of the skin. People may face side effects of ablative laser peel.
Intense Pulse Light Therapy
It is a type of fractional laser treatment. This therapy stimulates collagen growth and is done in multiple sessions. Intense pulse light therapy is used for overall pigmentation but works well for flat spots. This therapy can also reduce spider veins, wrinkles, and enlarged pores.
Home remedies to Treat Hyperpigmentation
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid that helps in reducing hyperpigmentation. Mix apple cider vinegar with water in a container. Now apply the mixture to the dark spots and wait for about 3 minutes. Now rinse the skin with lukewarm water. Apply this mixture twice a day and you will get good results in a few weeks.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is the best natural remedy to treat any skin problems. It contains aloin which is a natural depigmentation compound. Apply pure aloe vera gel before bedtime and then wash it the next morning with warm water. Aloe vera will not only reduce hyperpigmentation but also make the skin bright and healthy.
Red onion
Red onion is often used in skin and scar-lightening creams. It helps in reducing the dark patches and makes the skin lighter. You can use skin creams that contain allium cepa. You will see the difference in dark patches in a few weeks.
Green tea extract
Green tea extract has a depigmentation effect. Purchase green tea extract and then apply it to the skin directly. Many people also use green tea extract to lighten their skin tone. Take a green tea bag and put it in a container filled with water. Now boil the water for about 3 minutes. Now remove the bag and then wait until it gets cool. Now rub the tea bag on the hyperpigmented area.
Some other home remedies to treat hyperpigmentation are black tea water, milk, tomato paste, licorice extract, orchid extracts, etc.