Hyperpigmentation is a common harmless skin condition in which patches of the skin get darker than the normal than your normal skin tone. It occurs when melanin is overproduced. Melanin is a pigment made up of skin cells that give skin its color.
The affected areas are not painful or itchy. Healthy lifestyles, proper skin care, treatments, and skin protection can help a lot.
Read till the end to find out hyperpigmentation causes, prevention, and natural ways to treat it without any side effects.
What Is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation occurs when any patches/spots of skin look darker than the surrounding areas of the skin.
It can appear as red or pink or brown, black, gray, patches or spots. The spots are called age spots, sun spots, or liver spots and they can appear anywhere on the body.
The areas are not painful or itchy, but they can make people self-conscious. Several lifestyle changes and treatments can help, especially sun protection and skin care.
Causes Of Hyperpigmentation
1. Sun exposure
Skin produced more melanin when it is exposed to the sun for a long period of time. This can cause dark spots or dark patches on the skin. It can appear anywhere on the body.
2. Melasma
Melasma is similar in appearance to liver spots/age spots but is larger areas of darkened skin that appear most often as a result of hormonal changes.
Pregnancy or puberty can trigger the overproduction of melanin which causes darkened patches on the skin.
3. Genetics
Genetics also plays a role in hyperpigmentation.
4. Medical Condition
Women who take birth control pills may also develop hyperpigmentation because their bodies undergo similar kinds of hormonal changes.
Addison’s disease is when the body doesn’t make enough of a hormone called cortisol.
Not getting enough of certain vitamins, such as B12 and folic acid.
Hyperpigmentation Treatment
- Avoiding sun damage by staying out of the sun, using sunscreen, and wearing protective clothing.
- Avoid medications that may be causing it.
- Take vitamins by consulting your doctor.
- Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter topical therapy or ointments such as:
- Azelaic acid.
- Corticosteroids.
- Glycolic acid (alpha-hydroxy acid)
- Hydroquinone.
- Kojic acid
- Salicylic acid.
- Skin bleach.
- Tretinoin.
- B3 (niacinamide).
Other treatments may include:
- Chemical peels.
- Micro-needling
- Laser skin resurfacing.
- Pigmented lesion laser.
Prevention
Hyperpigmentation can’t be prevented, but protecting your skin from the sun helps:
- Apply sunscreen every day. Choose one that’s “broad spectrum”
- Avoid too much sun exposure. Avoid going outside during peak hours.
- Wear protective clothing and hats.
- Wear fully covered clothes.
- Re-apply sunscreen after 2 hours.
- To lighten the overall complexion, avoid skin-lightening products.
Hyperpigmentation Treatment At Home
Below are some natural ingredients that help to lighten dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and blemishes without any side effects.
- Licorice
- Buttermilk
- Orange peel
- Green tea
- Papaya
How To Use Licorice
- Take a bowl.
- Add licorice powder and mix with curd/tomato juice.
- Apply on the affected areas.
- Leave it for 20 minutes.
- Wash it off.
- Repeat on alternate days.
How To Use Butter Milk
- Soak cotton ball/pad in buttermilk.
- Apply on your affected areas evenly.
- Leave it for 20-15 minutes.
- Wash it off.
- Repeat once or twice daily.
How To Use Orange Peel
- Take the good quality orange peel powder or prepare your own.
- Mix with butter milk or curd to make a paste.
- Apply on your affected areas.
- Leave it for 20 minutes.
- Wash it off.
- Repeat daily.
Make your own orange peel powder at home. You can store it as well for 8-10 months. Read the article below to learn.
DIY orange peel powder and Uses
How To Use Green tea
- Take a cotton ball/pad.
- Soak in the prepared green tea.
- Apply all over your affected areas evenly.
- Leave it for as long as you can.
- You can leave it overnight.
- Repeat once or twice a week.
How To Use Papaya
- Take a small piece of papaya.
- Blend it to get a smooth paste.
- Apply all over the affected areas.
- Leave it for 20 minutes.
- Wash it off.
- Repeat daily.
Papaya has a load of beauty benefits and it is safe for all skin types.
Hyperpigmentation Treatment For Face
Protection
Protect your face from UV rays. Apply sunscreen daily on your face.
Moisturize
Make sure to moisturize your face twice a day. No matter what type of your skin type is, moisturize your face gently.
To get rid of hyperpigmentation while moisturizing your face, use the mixture below:
Aloe vera gel 4 tablespoons + grapeseed oil ½ tablespoon
How do Aloe vera Gel And Grape Seed Oil work?
- Aloe vera gel is used to treat many skin conditions.
- It moisturizes skin, deeply hydrates skin, and provides nourishment to the skin.
- High levels of antioxidants found in grapeseed oil, such as vitamin C and proanthocyanin, help balances melanin production, which enhances skin tone and fights pigmentary disorders well.
- Unlike other oils that may only suit certain skin types or clog pores, grapeseed oil is a lightweight non-comedogenic oil, making it suitable for most skin types.
- A mixture of grapeseed oil and aloe vera works perfectly to lighten dark patches and dark spots with a sure and safe result.
Toning
Use a toner at least once a day after cleansing your face.
Toner helps to reduce open pores, remove dirt and impurities from the face, and balance the skin’s natural pH balance.
To make a DIY toner to remove hyperpigmentation use rice water on your face as a toner.
How Rice Water Works?
Rice water is known to lighten dark spots and patches on your face. It also your skin tone while balancing oil production. It is also gaining popularity for its ability to lighten the tan, reduce open pores and improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Exfoliation:
This process helps to remove dead skin cells, lighten overall skin tone and improve skin texture.
Use coffee and tomato as a DIY scrub for exfoliation.
How do Tomato And Coffee Work?
- A combination of tomato and coffee effectively helps to remove hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and pimples and makes the skin clear.
- Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, and lycopene which are great antioxidants that brighten your skin.
- Coffee has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which lighten your skin and reduce dark skin.
- Both tomato and coffee contain lightening properties that help to reduce dark patches and dark spots.
- It also removes dead skin cells, dirt, and impurities and improves the texture of the skin.
Frequent-Asked Questions About Hyperpigmentation
How to get rid of hyperpigmentation in a week
To get rid of hyperpigmentation in a week, consult a dermatologist. Dermatological procedures will work fast. Chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, or dermabrasion are all options that work similarly to remove them.
Skin darkening due to medicines
Use of certain drugs (such as minocycline, certain cancer chemotherapies, and birth control pills), the main drugs implicated in causing skin pigmentation are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Best hyperpigmentation treatment
- Skin acids
- Retinoids.
- Chemical peel.
- Laser peel.
- IPL or Intense pulsed-light therapy.
- Microdermabrasion.
- Lightening creams.
- Dermabrasion.
Hyperpigmentation Around Mouth Treatment
Follow the steps that are written above to remove hyperpigmentation around the mouth.
Make sure to exfoliate and moisturize the skin around the mouth as well to reduce it.
Do not skip sunscreen around the mouth.
Do you know? It is important to know your skin type to combat potential issues without causing more problems. Identify skin type so that you can begin to make informed decisions.
Read the article below
How Do I Know My Skin Type: Easy Tips To Identify Skin Type
