Do dark patches due to hyperpigmentation make you worried?
Are you frustrated by using lots of products that beauty influencers swear by, but for you, they were just a waste of money?
Don’t worry anymore because we have listed the most effective treatments that make those dark patches go away in no time, leaving you with the beautiful skin that you always dreamed of.
So, what is hyperpigmentation actually? In easy words when one part of your skin appears darker than the surrounding, you can call it hyperpigmentation. It can be around lips, on cheeks, neck or your elbows, or knuckles of your hand.
The Most Effective Treatments and Preventative Measures for Skin Hyperpigmentation
There are tons of spot treatments available now but dealing with them before they get darker is the key to avoiding hyperpigmentation. Here are some scientifically proven ways to treat and prevent hyperpigmentation.
1. Keeping your skin moisturized to promote cell regeneration.
While the main purpose of getting a hyperpigmentation treatment done is to lighten the dark spots. There are lots of over-the-counter medicated products that contain active ingredients to improve the skin in so many ways. A good product will feature moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinoids, and hyaluronic acid to stimulate cell turnover, in addition to treating pigment concerns. A good moisturizer will repair the skin fat barrier that will increase protection from harmful UV rays.
2. Hands off Your Face
Itching a mosquito bit or popping a pimple sounds so tempting. But how irresistible it is, don’t touch your face. Yes, it is that simple. Our hands are so full of bacteria and when we poke a pimple or scratch a mosquito bite, it results in inflammation and resulting in a darker area.
The more you keep touching your face, the more problematic it will be. Even dark spots get darker with time and start penetrating deeper in skin layers. So, it is better you address a skin issue as soon as it happens.
Start with over-the-counter whitening products. By blocking tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the creation of skin-darkening melanin, treatments including substances like vitamin C, licorice root, and kojic acid can diminish hyperpigmentation.
Hydroquinone, alpha arbutin, vitamin E, Soy niacinamide, and n-acetyl glucosamine are some other spot-eradicating components to seek in OTC therapies. It’s critical to carefully observe the packaging recommendations, as using too much of these items might irritate the skin. Also, be patient: OTC skin whitening medications can take weeks to months, to work.
Skin Care using Cosmeceuticals
- When combined with hydroquinone and glycolic acid, kojic acid is the most effective therapy for hyperpigmentation. Kojic acid acts by preventing extra melanin from being produced.
- Vitamin A: Retinol and Tretinoin are two types of retinoids that help in skin renewal and cell turnover.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids: They smooth the skin by removing dead skin cells. Because they balance out the skin tone, alpha hydroxy acids also increase cell turnover.
3. Consider A Dermatologist to Address Your Issue
If using OTC medicated products doesn’t work, you need to consult a professional. It is as simple as when you have a fever, you take paracetamol, and when it does not work you go to a consultant.
Dermatologists use hydroquinone and other skin brightening products to address your skin problems. This has to be the holy grail for lightening dark spots because it suppresses the formation of pigment. It’s a favorite because, unlike many other OTC chemicals, it almost always helps to reduce hyperpigmentation.
For pigmentation treatment in Mumbai, you can contact Dr. Niketa Sonavane, Celebrity Dermatologist and founder of Ambrosia Aesthetics, Mumbai.
4. Consult a dermatologist about high-tech alternatives.
If topical products don’t work then you should consult your dermatologist about some aesthetic treatments such as dermabrasion, chemical peeling, IPL Laser, or other therapies.
You should keep in mind that having chemical peeling or laser therapy can cause more skin darkening if you have melasma.
5. Take Action to Prevent or Minimize Damage in the Future
- Broad-spectrum sun protection having an SPF of 30 or above is so important even when the sky is covered with clouds or when you are indoors. This is highly recommended by dermatologists, aestheticians and skin fanatics. What sunlight does is that it targets dark areas and makes them darker.
- Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on overcast or chilly days, is the most effective strategy to avoid sun-induced discoloration. UV rays just cause the pigment to go into overdrive, making dark areas even darker. In exposed regions, you must use sunscreen daily and after every 3 to 5 hours.
- Normal sunscreens have only SPF which only stops UVB radiations. Consider a product that includes Mexoryl, Parsol 1789, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone to protect against UVA long-wave radiation.
- Also, avoid intense skincare products that may hurt or burn, as irritation can exacerbate hyperpigmentation, particularly melasma.
Conclusion:
To summarize, while hyperpigmentation offers no immediate harm to your skin’s health, having an uneven skin tone can be annoying. The skin darkening will go away, and you will recover confidence with an even and bright complexion if you treat your skin’s brown spots appropriately with professional hyperpigmentation treatment.
