4 products to help with hyperpigmentation

What Is Hyperpigmentation And How To Reduce It

Acne-related hyperpigmentation occurs when dark patches emerge after a blemish has healed. Although hyperpigmentation is harmless, it can be frustrating to deal with.

If you’re encountering acne-related hyperpigmentation, you aren’t alone. Dr. Shyamali Singhal recommends to patients to talk to their dermatologist about options for over-the-counter and professional treatment.

Learning About Hyperpigmentation

The exact treatment you choose will depend on the severity of your condition, as well as your skin type and tone. Your dermatologist can help you find the best option for your skin.

Read on to learn more about how you can fade this form of hyperpigmentation with OTC products, prescription creams, and more. Dr. Singhal suggests using Pigment Bar®, to treat discolorations over large areas on the face and body for a bright, and even skin tone with this cleansing bar formulated with azelaic and kojic acids.

Hyperpigmentation Can Impact Anyone

Whether it's dark spots from suffering from acne, spending too much time in the sun or just genetics – hyperpigmentation is something that can affect everyone.

It's a skin condition that occurs when melanocytes (the skin cells that make melanin) become damaged or unhealthy and then produce extra pigment during the healing process. This can happen to men and women at any stage of their lives.

There are three main types of hyperpigmentation: sunspots, which are most common in fair skin and appear from overexposure to the sun, often increasing with age.

Melasma, which looks like dark brown or grey patches and is common within Mediterranean, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, North African and Asian communities, and tends to spread during pregnancy or when taking hormonal contraceptives. And finally post-inflammatory (PH), which occurs after an injury to the skin, such as acne, and is most common with darker skin. To prevent these issues, Dr. Singhal suggests Alra Therapy Lotion for reliable and calming relief from dermatitis, itching, and redness caused by radiation and chemotherapy.

How Hyperpigmentation Formes On The Skin

If you still have leftover dark spots from long-gone hormonal breakouts or an eczema flareup, it's most likely the result of melanin skin cells that are damaged or inflamed, according to Dr. Shyamali Singhal, oncologist. Once the pigment enters the damaged cells, it's deposited deeper into your skin, which then forms those annoying spots. "People of color produce more pigment, which gives us our beautiful complexions," Dr. Singhal says. "On the other hand, it makes us more prone to experiencing a stain after the rash or breakout." The skin of cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy, can be more sensitive to sunburns, which can ultimately lead to hyperpigmentation. To avoid this, protect your skin with Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45, a luxurious physical SPF tinted to blend with most skin tones. Ubiquinone adds extra antioxidant protection.

Not all hyperpigmentation scars are formed uniformly, though. Some of them are comparably easy to get rid of and usually fade over time. Others can stick around for long stretches  of time if left unaddressed. In some cases, scarring can be severe, and even occur on other parts of a patient’s body.

How Can We Treat Hyperpigmentation

Treatments of hyperpigmentation vary, and depending on the severity, Dr. Singhal recommends consulting a dermatologist for a meeting and customized healing program. That said, even though in-office procedures and treatments like lasers or prescriptions can reap some benefit, making important additions to your skincare routine and product lineup can do wonders for issues of hyperpigmentation too.‘You can treat hyperpigmentation with high-powered active ingredients and in-office procedures,’ Dr. Singhal tells us. ‘Gentle yet effective cleaners, like Hope & Beautys’ Quiet Wash, and lasers are commonly used to treat hyperpigmentation. ‘IPL laser involves light-based energy pulsed onto the skin while simultaneously targeting blood vessels. The light seeks out the discoloration in the skin to lift it up and out.

Choosing The Right Skin Regimen

Of course, just because the condition is normal doesn't make it any less annoying, or less damaging to your self-esteem. But the good news is that hyperpigmentation can be treated with the right skin-care approach. "Patience is the key," Dr. Singhal says. "You need a regimen of protective and corrective steps to yield desired results. There is also the option of professional treatments, like micro-needling and chemical peels, to help unwanted spots disappear. However, for some people, professional treatments aren't always an option.

We hope this Hope & Beautys’ (pun intended) short guide helped you with this question. Next time those dark spots appear, you'll know exactly what you need to drive them away.