Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition where patches of skin become darker than the surrounding areas due to an excess of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour.
🧬 Causes of Hyperpigmentation:
- Sun Exposure ☀️ – UV rays stimulate melanin production, leading to sunspots or age spots or dark spots.
- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) – Happens after skin injuries like acne, cuts, or burns.
- Hormonal Changes – Conditions like melasma (common during pregnancy or with birth control pills).
- Medications – Certain drugs (like some antibiotics or chemotherapy) can cause pigmentation.
- Medical Conditions – Addison’s disease and other rare disorders can lead to darkened skin patches.
Hyperpigmentation Treatment
🧴 **Topical Treatments** (first line for most cases)
- **Hydroquinone (2–4%)**
– Gold standard for fading dark spots.
– Use under medical supervision (especially >2%).
- **Retinoids** (e.g., tretinoin, adapalene)
– Increase cell turnover and fade discoloration over time.
– Can be drying, so start slowly
- **Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)**
– Antioxidant that brightens skin and fades spots.
– Works well with sunscreen and other treatments
- **Azelaic Acid (10–20%)**
– Anti-inflammatory and good for acne-prone or sensitive skin.
– Safe for all skin tones.
- **Niacinamide (4–10%)**
– Reduces melanin transfer, anti-inflammatory, gentle for daily use
- **Kojic Acid / Licorice Root Extract**
– Natural lightening agents, often found in brightening serums.
☀️ **Sun Protection** (non-negotiable
– Broad-spectrum SPF 30–50+, daily!
– Reapply every 2 hours if outdoors.
– Hats, sunglasses, and avoiding peak sun hours help too.
🧖🏽 **Professional Treatments** (under the guidance of the dermatologist)
- **Chemical Peels**
– Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid peels.
– Best done under dermatologist supervision.
- Laser Treatments for pigmentation and dark spots
– e.g., Q-switched lasers, PicoSure.
– Effective, but riskier for deeper skin tones without proper expertise
- Microneedling
– Stimulates collagen and helps fade pigmentation when paired with serums.
4.Microdermabrasion
– Mild exfoliation treatment for surface-level spots
💡 Tips & Considerations
– **Patience is key** – it can take **4–12 weeks** or more to see significant improvement.
– Don’t mix **too many actives** at once – irritation can worsen pigmentation.
– Always patch test new products.
– Avoid picking at acne or scabs – that leads to more pigmentation (PIH).
– For **melasma**, hormonal balance and long-term maintenance are essential.
At Skinesis Clinique (Skin Clinic) at Vasant Vihar, New Delhi – Our skin doctor does the detailed consultation and provide you the right treatment for your skin for a better glowing skin as always.
Note : Information provided for the information only, their are other factors involved for pigmentation on face and body so consultation is must to meet your dermatologist before opting for any treatment at your home.
