If you have started noticing facial hyperpigmentation or dark patches on your skin, fear not! You are not alone. Millions of people are grappling with this overproduction of melanin in their skin. It may affect your skin tone and make it appear uneven. But stay happy as long as treatment options are available.
The condition, commonly called hyperpigmentation, is usually harmless. It disturbs your skin’s complexion, making it uneven and caused by various factors. After all, perfect skin is not typically common and difficult to achieve. Imperfections will follow regardless of our complexion, skin type, or .
However, you can keep your skin healthy-looking, glowing, and youthful with discipline. Hyperpigmentation, too, is treatable. Below, you’ll discover how to finally combat hyperpigmentation to achieve even-toned skin.
What is Facial Hyperpigmentation?
Facial hyperpigmentation, the patches or blotches on your skin that appear darker than your natural skin tone, is considered hyperpigmentation. Sometimes, your body initiates an overabundance of melanin production, and that ends up giving you those undesirable dark patches.
Hyperpigmentation may initially appear stubborn, but it’s not a significant concern. With the right skincare ingredients, you can effectively address facial hyperpigmentation. offers several dermatologically tested products specifically designed to eliminate hyperpigmentation and achieve even-toned skin.
Sometimes, facial hyperpigmentation appears as freckles. Other times, you may notice it in the form of liver spots (don’t worry! They have nothing to do with your liver) or age spots. Age spots can appear in older and younger adults who actively sunbathe.
What are the Common Causes Of Facial Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation can arise from a variety of factors. Some pregnant women may face it due to the drastic hormonal changes, while others have to deal with it because of their long-duration exposure to the sun.
Let’s check out the precise factors affecting the evenness of your skin or facial hyperpigmentation.
1 – Some Specific Drugs
Some antimalarial medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and other drugs that cause sensitivity to light can contribute to melanin overdrive in the body. Yes, if you are on certain medications for a long time, your hyperpigmentation can be triggered.
Cancer patients may witness this during the chemotherapy sessions as a result of those chemotherapy drugs. Fortunately, this type of hyperpigmentation doesn’t last too long and usually disappears after 11-12 weeks of treatment.
2 – Medical Conditions
Addison’s disease is a condition when the body is incapable of making sufficient , a hormone. It can poke the hyperactively. Apart from Addison’s disease, other adrenal and thyroid disorders can also cause facial hyperpigmentation.
3 – UV Rays
Sun’s UV rays damage your skin and can prompt melanin overproductivity. That tan on your body! It’s due to that extra melanin. When you spend more and more hours under the sun, you can get some sunspots. They are usually harmless and noncancerous. However, having them checked by your dermatologist as soon as possible is crucial.
4 – Melasma
can occur when hormones oscillate too much under certain conditions, such as in women during pregnancy. Furthermore, this “mask of pregnancy” can appear as brown patches. While we see this mostly in women, it’s also prevalent in men.
So, how does melasma get sparked? Is it only the hormonal fluctuations? Certainly not! Other combinations of factors, including sun exposure, medications, oral contraceptives, and even genetics, can cause the discoloration.
6 – Skin Trauma
Imagine your skin is experiencing specific concerns, such as bug bites, eczema, or acne, which cause inflammation. Furthermore, this inflammatory condition can hyperactivate the pigment-producing cells, causing darkness in some parts. This type of hyperpigmentation is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Treat Your Facial Hyperpigmentation: Ingredients & Procedures
Given the unique nature of every person’s skin, it’s imperative to detect the underlying cause before starting treatment. Consult your dermatologist. Remember, the earlier you start, the easier it is to eliminate those spots.
1 – Retinoids:
It may not be the optimal initial treatment option for your skin, but retinoids may be helpful if you want to treat the deeper layers of your skin. Every skincare enthusiast is aware of this incredible ingredient. They penetrate more profound layers. Usually, OTC retinoids are safe for all skin types, but you must consult your dermatologist before beginning with them for facial hyperpigmentation.
2 – Glycolic Acid:
Glycolic acid exhibits exfoliation properties that may help you shed dead skin cells and reduce the appearance of dark patches. It fades dark spots and stimulates collagen production in the skin, further contributing to even-toned skin. As directed by your dermatologist, try layering the glycolic acid with other ingredients.
3 – Niacinamide:
Niacinamide is an all-rounder that suits all skin types due to its brightening and anti-inflammatory characteristics. It can promote an even skin tone by treating the dark patches, aiding the barrier function, and hydrating the skin’s surface.
4 – Kojic Acid:
If your dark spots are interrelated with melasma, kojic acid may benefit you. Kojic acid, Found in several complexion-enhancing products, has skin-lightening properties that restrict melanin production and may give you lighter and brighter skin. Try using kojic acid with glycolic acid for the most effective results.
5 – Tazarotene:
A comparatively new ingredient, tazarotene, may help with acne hyperpigmentation. Dermatologists believe that if used consistently, it can significantly reduce post-acne hyperpigmentation.
6 – Hydroquinone:
People dealing with post-acne hyperpigmentation, age spots, , or dark spots can find a ray of hope in this ingredient called hydroquinone. Fortunately, this one ingredient can treat blemishes on the skin caused by sun exposure and inflammation or certain medications.
7 – Intense Pulse Therapy or IPL Therapy
The states that IPL works best for fair-skinned people. Intense pulse therapy, or a photo facial, is a non-ablative laser treatment that stimulates collagen production in the skin’s dermis layer.
Also, you can treat facial hyperpigmentation with this therapy, but it needs multiple laser sessions to notice the visible results.
8 – Dermabrasion:
Dermabrasion treatment can eliminate these skin concerns, from acne scars and age spots to sun damage and injury scars. This procedure removes a layer of the epidermis, affecting the dermis. Dermabrasion is a great option to help expedite the elimination of pigmentation.
9 – Chemical Peels:
Chemical peels with high acid concentrations may best remove hyperpigmentation from your skin. Ideally, these peels penetrate the deep layers of the skin, including the epidermis and sometimes the dermis. OTC peels are readily available, and you can opt for the medical-grade peel at your dermatologist’s place.
Lifestyle Tips to Combat Facial Hyperpigmentation
Tackling your facial hyperpigmentation opens the doors of their disappearance. You can follow some empirically validated lifestyle tips to counter this skin concern.
- Don’t pick or scratch: A bug or a mosquito bite may be itchy and tempting, prompting you to scratch it, but it might worsen the condition. It can increase the inflammation of that skin’s part and contribute to the discoloration.
- Shield your skin from the sun: The Sun can damage your skin. Sunburns and sunspots are common, but they might turn into hyperpigmentation. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from sun-causing facial hyperpigmentation.
- Try out the OTC whitening products: Creams or other treatment options, including Kojic acid and vitamin C, can make a clear difference to your skin. However, that doesn’t imply you should lighten your skin with bleach. Refrain from bleaching under any circumstances.
- Hydrate your skin: Well-moisturized skin can boost cellular turnover and positively impact its texture and complexion. Moreover, plenty of moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, aid the skin from within.
Follow Disciplined Skincare Routine for Even-Toned Skin
Wishing for even-toned skin might seem challenging, but it’s not impossible with a consistent skincare routine. Go for the simple daily regimen that makes a huge difference to get that glow.
Below, we have some simple steps to achieve an even-toned skin.
Step 1: Cleansing: Creating a clean slate on your skin’s surface is imperative to absorb the other ingredients. Moreover, cleansing removes dust, dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin.
Step 2: Toning: Some might see this as unnecessary, but it can make a massive difference to your skin. Toning is helpful, especially when you struggle to achieve that even tone. It restores the skin’s pH balance.
Step 3: Treatment: Choose a treatment serum that addresses your skin concern. Glycolic acid and vitamin C can combat hyperpigmentation and achieve youthful, glowing skin.
Step 4: Moisturising: Add a moisturizing habit to your lifestyle. Furthermore, always select a suitable moisturizer for your skin type to nurture the skin from its deepest layers.
Step 5: SPF: Integrate the sunscreen application into your skincare regimen even amidst overcast skies. Use at least SPF 30 post-moisturizer to protect your skin from the sun.
Facial Hyperpigmentation Takeaways
- You can identify hyperpigmentation or dark patches or blotches on the skin. Additionally, it can arise from several factors, including hormonal changes, skin trauma, medications, or sun exposure.
- Treatment options include topical ingredients like retinoids, glycolic acid, niacinamide, kojic acid, and hydroquinone. Procedures like IPL therapy, dermabrasion, and chemical peels can also successfully treat facial hyperpigmentation.
- Avoid picking or scratching your skin after catching a sunburn, acne, or an insect bite. It might irritate and inflame your skin further.
- Follow a disciplined skincare routine: cleansing, toning, treatment, moisturizing, and SPF application. It can help achieve even-toned skin and mitigate the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Combating facial hyperpigmentation is not always easy, but you can achieve an even skin tone by taking good care of your skin and visiting a dermatologist regularly.
