Hyperpigmentation is one of the biggest skin concerns most people have as it can occur as a result of sun exposure, eczema, wounds, acne, ingrown hairs and many factors we encounter on a daily basis including medications. When treating hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones, it is more challenging, as darker skin produces more melanin naturally.
What Is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation occurs when there is an increase in melanin production on any part of the body. This increased production can be triggered by several factors; age, sun exposure, hormonal influences, injuries on skin or inflammation and so on.
Types Of Hyperpigmentation
- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): This occurs following inflammation or injury to the skin. Acne is one of the commonest causes of this type of hyperpigmentation; the dark spots seen following breakouts.
- Melasma: This type of hyperpigmentation typically occurs following hormonal changes and further worsened by sun/heat exposure. In this type, some patches of hyperpigmentation are seen in certain areas of skin, the most common areas are the face, neck and abdomen.
- Sunspots: These are spots that appear on areas exposed to the sun, like the hands and face. They’re related to excess sun exposure over time.
- Exogenous Ochronosis: This type of hyperpigmentation presents as blue-black pigmentation on the skin. It typically results as a complication of long-term application of skin-lightening creams containing hydroquinone. It may also occur due to topical contact with phenol or resorcinol in dark-skinned individuals. *This cannot be treated using only topical products.
5 Tips For Treating Hyperpigmentation On Darker Skin Tones
- Sun Protection: Avoiding the sun and/or using a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the daytime plays a vital role when treating hyperpigmentation. Sun exposure is one of the commonest causes of hyperpigmentation as sunlight triggers melanin production.
*Read: The Sun And Your Skin – The Black Don’t Crack Series.
- Avoid Picking And Over-exfoliating Skin: While it may be very tempting to pick on breakouts when you have acne-prone skin or to try to scrub off dead skin cells from the skin, you could be doing more harm to the skin.
Picking on breakouts not only helps to spread bacteria on the skin but consistently stimulates melanin production in those areas which result in darker spots. Over exfoliating the skin messes with the skin barrier and could cause inflammation on the skin which then becomes hyperpigmented patches post healing.
- Use Appropriate Depigmenting Products: Particular ingredients in skincare have the ability to reduce or inhibit the production of melanin. Such products are marketed as lightening, bleaching, brightening and so on. When used right, these types of products can help with treating hyperpigmentation.
Examples of such ingredients are hydroquinone, kojic acid, alpha arbutin, vitamin c, niacinamide, etc.
*Read: Hydroquinone: Good Or Bad For Your Skin?
- Patience And Time: It may sound cliche but patience is key when treating hyperpigmentation. Even while using the right product(s), you need to be patient and give time for the products to work.
- Seek Professional Help: If you have tried over-the-counter products and several products which were supposed to help but did not get any results, it’s time to see a professional. There are different types of hyperpigmentation and in some cases, in-clinic procedures or prescription-strength ingredients and prescription products may be required.
In-clinic procedures for hyperpigmentation include but not limited to chemical peels, laser for hyperpigmentation and more. When treating hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones, extra care is taken as most procedures to treat hyperpigmentation also have the tendency to stimulate melanin production.
No two hyperpigmentation cases are the same, at Skin101 we tailor every treatment to the individual after proper consultation and assessment.
If you have been struggling with hyperpigmentation, remember we are only a call away 09086000001!