9 different ways to treat & prevent Hyperpigmentation!

Hyperpigmentation "a common usually harmless skin condition in which parts of your skin becomes darker in color than the surrounding skin". 

Personally I wouldn’t say it’s harmless as it can negatively affect a persons confidence as it did mine in the past.

As we understand how much hyperpigmentation can affect a person we have compiled for you here different ways to treat and prevent it.

Causes

The root cause of hyperpigmentation is increased melanin production.

Melanin is the pigment that defines the color of a person’s skin and the increase in melanin is triggered by the way skin heals after inflammation or injury.

As a result it often affects people with acne and it can be triggered by skin treatments such as dermabrasion, chemical peels and laser therapy.

Injuries, rashes or blemishes cause the skin to become inflamed. This inflammation triggers melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) to release excessive melanosomes (pigment granules). The excessive pigment granules darken and discolor the formerly wounded area, remaining there long after the initial wound has recovered.

How to prevent Hyperpigmentation 

• Stop picking at your skin. To prevent hyperpigmentation from forming avoid picking at spots, scabs, and acne.
• A thorough skincare routine - cleanse your skin twice a day and care for it using products that suit your skin type. 
• Use only non-comedogenic products that won’t clog pores and cause acne. 
• Avoid exposure to the sun. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect the skin and stop hyperpigmentation from becoming darker.

How to treat Hyperpigmentation 

Apple cider vinegar

When it comes to reducing the appearance of dark patches on the skin due to hyperpigmentation apple cider vinegar is fantastic.

It has excellent skin lightening as well as astringent properties that can help restore your skin’s natural colour.

Method

1. Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a container.
2. Apply to your dark patches and leave on two to three minutes.
3. Rinse using lukewarm water.
4. Repeat twice daily you achieve the results you desire

Lemon

The citric acid in lemon helps bleach the skin, making it a popular natural treatment for hyperpigmentation. Lemons thanks to their high citric acid content can gently slough off dead skin cells, encourage speedy cell turnover and promote the growth of healthy new skin.

Method 

Note - For sensitive skin dilute solution with with equal parts of water 

1. Soak a cotton ball in fresh lemon juice.
2. Use it to dab the juice on the affected skin.
3. Let the juice sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse it off with water.
4. Since lemon can make your skin dry, remember to finish by applying a moisturiser. 
5. Do this twice per day until desired look is achieved. 

Vitamin E 

Held in high regard in the skincare industry vitamin E is added to almost every product we use.

This is because it possesses antioxidants that protect and repair your skin and make it so that with regular use you can reverse sun damage, revealing wrinkle-free and spot-free skin.

Method

1. Ensure your face clean of any makeup or other skin products. 
2. Mix two drops of vitamin E oil to 10 drops of a carrier oil, like jojoba, castor or argan oil.
3. Apply the mixture to your skin using your fingers. Rub your face in small circular motions as you apply the treatment so that you stimulate circulation. 
4. Wait 20 minutes after application before resting your face on a pillow or any other surface. Repeat 1-2 times per week as a part of your night time skincare routine. 

Tumeric

With bleaching properties that can help get rid of the symptoms of hyperpigmented skin tumeric is a great natural option.

Plus, turmeric can keep the skin free of infection and preventing acne having anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.

Method

1. Put 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder in a bowl.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of honey to it.
3. Mix the two ingredients well to form a spreadable paste.
4. Apply it on the affected skin and leave it on for 20 minutes.
5. Rinse it off with warm water and apply a moisturiser

6. Use this remedy once daily for 2 to 3 weeks to reduce dark spots.

Aloe Vera

This miracle plant is another effective method when treating hyperpigmentation. It stimulates fibroblast cells that produce collagen, resulting in the regeneration of skin.

As well as removing  the dead skin cells to give skin a brighter look. It contains auxins and gibberellins, which are hormones that aid skin in healing.

Method

1. Apply fresh aloe vera gel on the affected skin.
2. Leave it on overnight.
3. Wash it off the next morning.
4. Use it every night for 6 to 8 weeks to make the dark spots disappear.

Avocados 

Full of fatty acids, vitamin C and oleic acid, avocados can effectively help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Thanks to the various enzymes and high amount of vitamin E in avocados can also reduce pigmentation.

Method

1. Mash one ripe avocado into a smooth paste.
2. Apply the paste on the affected area.
3. Leave it on for half an hour, and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
4. Follow this remedy twice daily for at least one month to get positive results.

Cosmetic procedures

Chemical peels

This is where a chemical solution like as an Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) for example would be applied to your skin in order to exfoliate and  remove dead skin cells, stimulate the growth of new skin cells and reveal new skin. 

Laser treatment

Similar to a chemical peel in effect but tends to be more precise as the dermatologist has more control over the intensity of the treatment.

Laser treatments involve ‘hitting’ the affected areas with high-energy light.

The mildest treatments work on the skin’s epidermis (surface layer), while more intense treatments can penetrate the deepest layers of the skin.

Topical creams

Hydroquinone which is still regarded as the most effective topical agent for reducing hyperpigmentation usually only prescribed by dermatologists.

However it can only be used for limited periods of time because, like other forms of chemical peel and laser treatment, it can irritate skin and actually cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in people with darker skin.