Skin problems like acne and inflammation aren’t the only things that can bother us. Skin discoloration is another issue, especially as we get older. Hyperpigmentation is when the skin darkens or gets discolored due to an excess of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. It can show up as age spots, sun spots, melasma (also known as the pregnancy mask), or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from things like acne or other skin injuries. It’s pretty common, and most of us will deal with it at some point in our lives. But what causes it, and how can we deal with it?
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
Here are some common reasons for sunspots and hyperpigmentation:
- Sun Exposure: The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays make melanocyte cells produce more melanin, leading to sun spots and age spots.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormone fluctuations during pregnancy, using birth control pills, or hormone replacement therapy can trigger melasma.
- Inflammation: Skin issues like acne, eczema, or injuries can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Medications: Some drugs, such as antimalarials and chemotherapy meds, can boost melanin production and cause skin discoloration.
- Aging: As we get older, melanocyte cells become more active, which can result in age spots or liver spots.
How Can You Treat It?
There are different ways to treat hyperpigmentation, from using topical products to getting professional treatments. Over-the-counter and prescription creams with ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid, retinoids, vitamin C, and niacinamide can help fade hyperpigmentation. Professional chemical peels with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can exfoliate the skin and reduce dark spots. Intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser therapies target and break down excess melanin, while microneedling can help by stimulating collagen production and cell turnover to improve hyperpigmentation.
Top Products for Treating Hyperpigmentation
- 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 Extraordinaire Illuminating Pre-Serum
- LA ROCHE-POSAY Mela B3 Dark Spot Corrector Serum With Niacinamide
These products target hyperpigmentation in different ways, from exfoliating the skin to inhibiting melanin production and promoting a more even skin tone.
