Hyperpigmentation. Heres how to treat it.

First things first, you are going to need to have much patience with yourself and your skin while you are treating hyper-pigmentation.

This is the long game, not short term success.

The number one thing you want to get a handle on is the cause of your hyper-pigmentation. There are many causes for this condition such as acne flare ups that leave pigment behind (PIH -post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation), hormones, sun damage, etc.

Hormonal pigmentation (Melasma) is the hardest to treat because our hormones are always up and down depending on our age, stress and other factors. The best you can do is fade and suppress it the best you can by using pigment inhibitors such as Kojic Acid and Hydroquinone, which should only be used for a few months at a time, then take a break and switch to a Retinol (VitaminA) for a while.

Long term use of Hydroquinone can sometimes have a negative effect and remove the pigment altogether, this is called Hypo-pigmentation. So it’s best to use it for 3 months then take a break and use other pigment suppressants for a while. Melasma is triggered from inside the body so it is very important to avoid heat, alcohol, spicy foods etc…

Everyone should be wearing sunscreen daily but if there are any pigmentation issues, you have to protect the skin from the sun at all times. The sun makes things darker so we have to protect and shield it so the pigmentation is able to lighten over time.

PIH or Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation is the dark spots left over from breakouts, cysts, pimples, cuts or any trauma in the skin. This condition is primarily visible in olive to dark skin tones. The way we treat this is to first try to get to the root of any acne. We need to control that first so the breakouts can’t create more pigmentation. Using a customized skin care regimen at home day and night, making necessary lifestyle changes and staying consistent will control the acne.

Then you should have light-med chemical peels every 2-3 weeks, this will lighten and exfoliate the top layers, lifting the pigmentation. Pigmentation takes a while to lighten so give it 3-6 months.

Suggested products:

Using Vitamin A (Retinol) and Mandelic Acids daily will significantly reduce hyperpigmentation, inflammation and fine lines. Here are my absolute faves! Done forget to wear SPF at all times while using active ingredients.