Hyperpigmentation is a common, mostly aesthetic skin concern that often occurs in response to other skin conditions and exterior irritants. While it can occur to any skin type or tone, it appears more often in darker skin tones. These dark spots are harmless but can be challenging to remove. Knowing how to take preventive steps and engage in cosmetic treatments for your skin’s health can help you to manage and reverse the effects of hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation is caused by a concentrated excess of melanin in the skin. This can be due to underlying medical conditions, sun exposure, or simple skin injury. After injury to the skin, such as acne, you may notice dark spots. These patches of darker skin are known as hyperpigmentation, which very commonly gathers around such irritated areas. Hyperpigmentation, when left untreated, can sometimes contribute to irritation and may subtly affect your overall sense of well-being, as it is a visible skin concern. Addressing flare-ups can help improve comfort and, in turn, offer a gentle boost to your confidence. Additionally, hyperpigmentation often does not just show up on its own but in tandem with other skin conditions. Most commonly, it happens during or after inflammatory conditions and injuries to the skin. Many people notice hyperpigmentation following acne, insect bites, burns, eczema, or even cuts. These everyday issues are the most common cause of hyperpigmentation.
For those with darker skin tones and ethnic skin types, hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition. Darker skin tones naturally possess higher levels of melanin. Due to this, it is much easier for darker skin types to overproduce melanin, or pigmentation, than lighter skin tones. This causes hyperpigmentation to not only occur more frequently in darker skin but be longer lasting. Usually, hyperpigmentation is localized to the facial area and appears most commonly around the cheeks, forehead and jawline. These areas are more prone to developing acne and are at a higher exposure to the sun, which are two leading causes of hyperpigmentation.
Prevention is the most effective method of reducing hyperpigmentation. It is critical to protect your skin with daily sunscreen. Sun damage is one of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation, so making sure you’re always wearing an SPF of at least 30 will keep hyperpigmentation at bay. For existing hyperpigmentation, SPF and sun safety practices will help diminish dark spots. You should implement hyperpigmentation-fighting ingredients into your skin care routine as well. Ingredients such as kojic acid, alpha arbutin, tranexamic acid, niacinamide, licorice root, and hydroquinone can all be effective in treating hyperpigmentation. Products such as the SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum can help to reduce stubborn skin discoloration. It’s important to pick out the right products for your needs and select skin care that will assist in targeting dark spots.
While this may seem simple, avoiding touching and picking at your face can work wonders in keeping your skin tone even. Scarring from acne is a very common starting point of hyperpigmentation flare ups. Any sort of blemish to your skin can potentially head in this direction, so be sure not to pick at them. Implementing healthy skin choices and letting your acne heal without any obstruction is key.
If your hyperpigmentation is being caused by a pre-existing skin condition such as eczema, it is important to ensure you’re seeing a dermatologist to treat that issue first. It can be very hard to avoid irritating your skin when dealing with a chronic skin condition. If you’re trying to tackle the hyperpigmentation spots themselves, aesthetic-based treatments can be great at tackling these dark areas. Chemical peels and laser therapies attack and mend hyperpigmentation spots to even skin tone and lead to restoration. Prescription medications can also work from the inside to treat any sort of hormonal imbalance or bacterial issue that may be the root of these flare ups.
If you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation, remember that being proactive is the first step in treating dark spots. Our office has a variety of treatments that can help quell flare ups. Reach out and schedule your consultation to start your journey to smoother, clearer skin.
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